The holiday travel season is upon us. And while some things like hectic schedules, changes in routine and increased spending can be inevitably stressful, there are a few things you can do to make it easier to get from point A to point B.
Have a Seat Assignment
These days, it’s not uncommon for flights to be fully booked, and this is especially true during the holiday season. Make sure you get to your destination on time by ensuring you have a seat assignment as passengers without one are more likely to be bumped from a flight than those who do. Whether you prefer the window, aisle, or dare we say, the middle seat, hop on over to your airliner of choice’s mobile app to make sure you know where you’re heading when it comes time to board.
Track Your Bags
Whether an airline has lost or misplaced your luggage in the past or you’ve heard too many horror stories to feel comfortable checking a bag, losing one’s luggage has long been a fear among air travelers. However, try as you might, sometimes checking a bag is inevitable. To curb the stress of parting with precious cargo, even if only for a few hours, throw an AirTag or similar device inside your bag for real-time updates you can track every step of the way. Similarly, many airline apps provide information on luggage status and location, seamlessly eliminating the “will my bag show up on the conveyor belt” game for good.
Fly Early
What they say is true, the early bird does, in fact, get the worm, and this can especially be true when flying. In addition to beating the hectic crowds that will surely line the terminals this holiday season, the first flights of the day often go the smoothest because the plane is already at the airport long before departure. If a delay still pops up despite diligent planning, being early is still ideal as it provides more rescheduling options, the need for which can be more frequent during busy times of year.
Consider Travel Insurance
While we can try our best to make sure our holiday travel plans go smoothly there’s always the possibility something will go awry. If you’re concerned about flight disruptions, might need to cancel your trip or are traveling internationally, it might be a good idea to purchase travel insurance to protect your investment. Winter weather can always be a wild card, consider how comfortable you feel risking it.
To better understand why travel insurance is recommended for the busy holiday travel season, The Compass chatted with World Nomads, a travel insurance provider dedicated to protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers. “The #1 way to protect your holiday travel plans and your investment is by purchasing a travel insurance plan that fits your needs,” said World Nomads. “Travel insurance may help you recoup money for unexpected events and inconveniences like being stuck on the tarmac, a trip delay, medical expenses, lost bags and more.”
Further, the team explained, getting in touch with someone when inconvenience strikes can be a pain. Having a solid insurance plan can help. “Over the holidays, airline and hotel customer service desks will likely be swamped! Look for a travel insurance brand that offers an emergency helpline, who can be available whenever you need if plans go wrong,” said World Nomads. “World Nomads has a 24/7 emergency assistance team just a phone call away that is available to guide you through your travel snafu. The team has likely dealt with the situation you are facing and also has translators available in dozens of languages to help wherever you are in the world.”
Stay Healthy
There’s no avoiding it, we encounter lots of people during the holidays, especially when we fly or take public transportation. While it’s never a bad idea to carry a travel sized container of hand sanitizer, you can also protect yourself from illness by timing your annual vaccinations to align with your holiday schedule. For the best advice on how to do this, talk with your doctor.
Road Trip Smartly
Just like airports, it’s not uncommon for the roads to see an increased number of motorists during the most festive months of the year. If you plan on road tripping this holiday season, try planning your route so you can drive during non-peak times — think in the early morning or after 8 p.m. — and non-peak travel days — the days leading up to a holiday or the weekend following — to avoid stressful congestion and delays.
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