With Thanksgiving fast approaching, BrockComm Travel offers some advice to help brave holiday travelers keep their sanity. The day after Thanksgiving and the weeks that follow can be the busiest times of the year in the airport, which means more stress for travelers. “During the holidays, the airport experience can be a harrowing one,” said Catherine Brock of BrockComm Travel. “But early planning can go a long way towards minimizing airport- and travel-related anxiety.”
“Always try to plan the trip well in advance, and take advantage of your travel agent’s expertise regarding flight times, transfers and alternate airports,” continued Catherine Brock. “Agents can advise you on how to reach your destination as painlessly as possible; they know which options to avoid and how to avoid them without disrupting the trip.”
To help you make the most of your holiday travels, BrockComm Travel offers these practical tips for keeping a lid on the stress:
Book early and remember the transfers. Airports, hotels, rental cars and airport transfers book up early during the holiday season. Don’t forget to arrange for transportation between the airport and hotel; while there should be options available upon arrival, you don’t want to fight through the crowds and wait in line to find them. If you have to plan your trip at the last minute, try to be flexible with your scheduling. Work with your agent to identify options for flying during non-peak hours or through alternate airports.
Choose paper tickets. E-tickets can cause delays at check-in if you didn’t purchase the ticket yourself. Plus, if your flight is canceled and you hold an e-ticket, you’ll have to have a paper ticket issued at the ticket counter before you board another flight.
Know baggage limits and budget for baggage fees. Baggage limits can vary by airline, type of aircraft and destination. Ask your agent to provide full clarification of the baggage policy that applies to your trip, including a schedule of fees. Also make sure you know what you can carry on the plane and what you can’t. Tag all of your baggage with your name and phone number. And keep gifts unwrapped, in case your bags are searched.
Get organized. Keep your travel documentation and identification organized and accessible. You don’t want to end up madly fishing through your pockets at every security checkpoint.
Arrive early. When deciding what time to leave for the airport, always plan for the worst. Assume the traffic will be bad, both on the way and when you arrive at the airport parking lot. Sometimes on-site airport parking fills up, so leave time to park off-site and take a shuttle. Remember also that airlines are more likely to oversell flights during the holidays; arrive early and you have a better chance of not getting bumped. And bring a good book to pass the time once you arrive.
Remember your rights. Know what rights you have if you do get bumped off your flight. The carrier is required to provide you with a written statement about your rights. Ask the desk agent for more information and read the fine print on your ticket. These rights should involve alternate travel arrangements and, possibly, compensation if the new arrival time is more than one hour later than the originally scheduled time.
Keep an eye on your stuff. Sadly, thieves love crowds. Be mindful of your surroundings and keep a close watch on belongings.
BrockComm Travel is affiliated with MTravel.com, the full service host agency division of Montrose Travel, a Top 50 travel company nationwide. Established in 1956, Montrose is a stable, financially secure, $100 million company with the products and services that enables BrockComm Travel to fulfill your vacation needs. For more information about travel planning, please contact Catherine Brock at cb@bookcheapandgo.com or visit http://www.bookcheapandgo.com.
