Airline Travel Tips

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These airline travel tips will help you enjoy your well earned vacation this year. Make sure to check your airline tickets!

Airline Tickets

Know the difference between “direct” and “nonstop” flights, and always opt for the latter.

Unlike nonstops, direct flights can touch down at other airports on the way to their ultimate destinations.

Stops are built in to the total travel time but the potential delays aren’t. Whenever possible, fly nonstop. You don't need the stress of air travel delays.

Make sure you purchase your ticket under the exact name that appears on your ID. It might seem obvious to you that Betsy is a nickname for Elizabeth, but it may not to a desk agent, or a security officer — any one of whom could ask you to show identification with that name before boarding.

Select your seats ASAP. If you have a disability and need a premium seat in the bulkhead, tell the agent when you make your reservation rather than at the airport. Other passengers might be able to nab those seats 24 hours before the flight, when they’re made available to everyone through the airline’s website.

Get to your gateway city as early as you can. Since delays stack up as the day progresses, it’s smart to book the first flight you can into a hub (if you have a connecting flight). Spending a few extra hours at the airport is better than missing your connection because your first flight was late.”

Double-check foreign document requirements. Some countries — like Chile, Kenya, and India — require a visa for entry; others, like South Africa, won’t allow entrance unless a traveler’s passport contains at least two blank, unstamped pages. You need to be aware of those requirements before you make your flight reservations. You could be grounded. For a complete list of entrance regulations check with your consulate.

Airline Travel Tips - Packing

Set your luggage apart from the pack. Tying a bright ribbon to your black bag is not the most effective way to distinguish it. “When passengers use ribbons and bows, they can be torn off in the transporting process. Not to mention the fact that you’ll probably see dozens of other bright ribbons circling on the baggage carousel. Your best move is to purchase a suitcase in an unusual color, such as bright blue! Looking for a great vacation packing list?

Stockpile samples.To save precious quart-bag space on overnight trips, if possible carry samples of cosmetics, moisturizers, and prescription creams. You can request these from your doctor.

Or take advantage of Sephora’s and Kiehls’s policies of giving three free samples with any online order at www.sephora.com and www.kiehls.com.

BYO blanket (and disinfecting wipes, too).I hate to say it, but tray tables are rarely cleaned, so wipe them off before you use them. Stay clear of the blankets and pillows. They’re only washed when they look dirty....yuk!!!!!

Pack your electronics in a single layer. You will increase your chances of speeding through security if you take the time to lay your electronics flat. When things are tossed in haphazardly or jumbled together, security spends more time determining what they are (from the X-ray) and have to manually check bags.

Do your own bag check before you leave. To keep from getting stalled in security and losing innocent (but sharp) items you forgot were in your bag — hello, nail scissors! — carefully check each piece of luggage at home first. If you think through the screening process as you’re packing, you’ll be fine.

These airline travel tips will give you some peace of mind and get you started on a worry free vacation!!!

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