Holiday Travel Tips

Do thoughts of the fast-approaching holiday season bring a smile to your face? Or does the thought of holiday travel planning bring more stress than you care to think about? Here are some tips to help keep the "happy" in your holiday travel this year.

• The Bad Date
  Many of us have been there – we show up with hope, only to be disappointed. No, we're not talking about your high school prom date. We are talking about the worst dates to travel during the holiday season, and coincidentally the worst dates are usually the weekend right before a holiday.¹ The best days to travel? Try on the holiday itself, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years Eve.²  
• Book Early, Save Money
  Traveling over the holidays but not psyched about spending a ton of money on airfare? The old adage "early bird gets the worm" holds true for flight booking. It's wise to book at least a month or more in advance of your expected departure date if you want to get the best deals. A great way to simultaneously compare airfare for the best price is to use an airfare aggregator site.
• Go Crazy for Carry On
  Looking for ways to make your travel experience go smoothly? Try packing a carry-on for each member of the family. You'll be able to arrive at your departing gate more quickly and can avoide the hassle of waiting for your checked luggage upon your arrival. Plus, carry-on luggage often costs nothing as compared to checked luggage which can cost over $25 per bag.
• Shop Online & Ship
  Looking forward to airport security carefully scrutinizing and even unwrapping each gift you packed in your suitcase? We didn't think so. Eliminate the hassle of traveling with gifts by doing holiday shopping online and have each item shipped to your final destination.
• Lots to Lose in Parking Lots
  What one word can describe airport parking ramps during the holidays? Mayhem. If possible, have a friend drop you off at the airport to avoid congestion and delays getting to your departure gate.
• Ship Gifts Home
  Gift giving is a great holiday tradition for many. But, once the merriment has passed, how do the gifts get back home? An option for some might be to pack an extra, empty suitcase. But why lug around the extra bulk (and pay for yet another piece of checked luggage)? Ship all of your gifts home to save you time and hassle.
• Expect Delays. Travel Assistance Helps
  Travel Guard's assistance services can go to work on your behalf to re-book flights and hotels, book rental vehicles find lost luggage and more. Plus a travel insurance plan can cover you for things like travel delays due to inclement weather, trip cancellation/interruption, medical expense – all to help make your holiday travel a little easier. To find out more, simply ask your travel agent, or call 1.800.826.5248.