Avoiding Holiday Travel Headaches: 5 Tips to Fly Smarter This Season

As holiday travel picks up, airline passengers face familiar challenges such as flight delays, cancellations, and baggage issues, along with new measures to streamline boarding. American Airlines is testing innovative technology to enforce boarding rules and prevent passengers from skipping ahead of their assigned groups, aiming to reduce stress for both travelers and staff.

Despite efforts to improve efficiency, the surge in passenger numbers during the holiday season can still make air travel stressful. To help make it smoother, the experts at InsureMyTrip have some advice.

5 Tips to Alleviate Holiday Travel Stress
 
Book Early: Don’t wait to buy plane tickets or book a hotel.  Prices are expected to increase the closer we get to the holidays.
 
Fly Direct: You’re less likely to be impacted by flight delays or baggage issued if you avoid layovers.
 
Airport Cancellation/Delay Rates: Check the record of the airports through which you’re traveling.  If they’re known for delays/cancellations – plan accordingly.  Airlines are not required by law to provide compensation for cancellations or delays, especially if it’s not their fault.  However, a travel insurance policy may provide reimbursement for meals or accommodations if your flight is delayed or canceled.
(Find U.S. airport statistics and flight delay/cancellation data HERE.)
 
Plan for Presents: For holiday travel, pack gifts in your carry-on for safe handling. If using checked luggage, add a tracking device, like an Apple AirTag, and pack securely to avoid damage. Wrapped gifts can go through security, but TSA may need to unwrap them, so it’s best to wrap them at your destination.
(Expert Tip: Take photos of the contents in your luggage in case it’s lost/stolen, and you need to file a travel insurance claim.)

Prepare for the Worst: Travel insurance is an efficient and cost-effective way to protect the financial investment of a trip. A policy can provide coverage for things like trip cancellation, flight delays, baggage loss, extended stays, medical emergencies, and more.

For Expert Tips on Global Destinations, Food, Hotels, and Shopping, providing global travelers with comprehensive information to make intelligent decisions before, during, and after their voyage: https://airguide.info/category/destinations/travel-tips/