It's a fact: The worst time to travel is during the holidays. Airports are crowded, delays are the norm, and hotel rates soar. Yet the holidays are also a time when couples want to gather with family and make maximum use of days off from work. If you're determined to travel during the holidays, the following advice can make your lives easier.
Make Airline and Hotel Reservations Early
The holidays are no time to hold off buying plane tickets and making hotel reservations because you hope prices will drop if you wait. Guess what: They might. But if you really need to get from Point A to Point B on a certain day — and you'd rather not have to settle for a 6 am or midnight flight that makes two stops and requires a change of planes because that's all that's left — buy now. The same goes for cruises; you don't want to have to settle for a Caribbean itinerary when you really want the Mediterranean. Since hotels are easy to cancel, there's no reason not to book now; you can always change your mind.
Travel at Off Times
The busiest times at airports tend to be Friday afternoons for departures and Sunday nights for arrivals. And heavy air traffic = delays. Can you depart on a Thursday and return on Saturday? And can you fly very early in the morning? Not only are you likelier to avoid delays, but you may pay less for your fare. While you're choosing flights, choose two good seats together. Securing them is another advantage to booking a flight early.
Pack Smart
Some airlines charge to check luggage. Not only is this expensive; it can also be frustrating. Imagine having to wait an hour at a major airport to drop off your bag or fly for hours and discover that your luggage didn't arrive. There's an old saying that advises travelers to pack half the amount of clothing and twice as much money. It still holds true. Unless you're going some place remote, you can buy what you need when you get there. Also keep in mind that if your luggage tips the scales, you may pay more. A
luggage scale (compare prices) can keep you within bounds when you must check luggage.
Carry Your Luggage Onboard
If you are traveling for the holidays and only going to be away for a few days, try to squeeze everything you will need into a carry-on bag. You'll get out of the airport sooner and you'll do less shlepping. At the very least, pack a change of underwear and essential medicines in your carry-on. And a pair of black pants can be worn just about anywhere. If you use a lot of toiletries, keep the
Transportation Safety Administration rules for carry-on bags in mind. Buy miniature versions of your necessities at your local drugstore to prevent contributing your full-size bottles to the screeners' cache.
Get to the Airport Early
I can't stress this enough. When you travel during the holidays, airports are at peak capacity. Lines are long and tension high. And, given the drubbing airline unions have gotten over the past few years, staff morale and customer service are negligible. Put it in perspective: You're only going to be miserable at the airport for a few hours; they spend their entire work day there. Rather than stressing yourselves out, dress comfortably, leave for the airport early, treat workers politely, and expect to entertain yourselves for a while before the plane takes off.
Send Presents Ahead
Are you planning to show up at your holiday destination laden down with gifts? Then I suggest you choose lightweight, non-liquid items such as
travel gift cards, small leather goods, knitwear, and my favorite,
jewelry (transport valuables in your personal carry-on). If you intend on delivering big gifts to make a big impression, consider sending them ahead via the Post Office or another carrier to a trusted friend or relative. Do not mark the box "Do not open till Christmas" — it invites theft. Simply tell the recipient to be on the lookout... and hands off!
Make Arrangements for Your Pets
When you have a pet, it's essential to arrange for its care while you're away. Some couples organize their travel plans based on places that welcome dogs or cats. Others feel more secure knowing that the animal will be in a familiar environment. Whether you choose to travel with your pet or leave her behind, make plans well in advance. That way a pet-friendly home or hotel still has space for you, or a boarding facility is not booked up with other travelers' pets when you need to leave yours there.
Go Someplace That Makes You Happy
Just because the holidays are near, it doesn't mean you
have to visit your family or your mate's (unless of course your hearts leap up at the idea of reuniting with them). If guilt is the only thing that draws you back, resist! Do something different this year and go someplace... fun. Someplace warm. Someplace where the only folks you have to buy presents for are each other. Instead of spending money on gifts this year, spend it on postcards. It's a thought.
