- Make Your List of Security Rules, and Check it Twice
With airport traffic at its peak during holiday season, it's that much more important for travelers to be familiar with the rules before they check in. If you have questions about security rules or prohibited items, check the Transportation Security Administration's website or SeatGuru's Traveler Resources (http://www.seatguru.com/articles/tsa_prohibited_items.php) for the most up-to-date information. Give a second thought to all gifts being carried onto the plane, even items like jelly or jam are considered liquids and will not be allowed on the flight if the jar is greater than three ounces.
SeatGuru.com
Travel Tip Category: Holiday Air Travel
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- Spread Holiday Cheer -- Not Germs
Red noses are cute on reindeer, not people. Do everyone a favor -- yourself, the loved ones you are visiting, and your fellow travelers -- by staying off a flight if you are sick. If you are feeling the signs of something coming on and must travel, be liberal in your use of hand sanitizer, bring a face mask, and keep plenty of tissues on hand.
Travel Tip Category: Holiday Air Travel
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- You Can get Away with Last Minute Shopping for Holiday Gifts, but Not Flights
Some risk-taking travelers believe in getting better deals shopping for flights at the last minute. Good luck with that during the holidays. If you are planning to fly in late December, you should try to book at least two months in advance. Since that is no longer an option for this year, you can find deals by flying on the holidays themselves, such as Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
SeatGuru.com
Travel Tip Category: Holiday Air Travel
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- It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year -- to Have More Time
Check-in online before you get to the airport, plan to arrive at the airport an hour earlier than you normally would, and avoid connections when possible -- if your flights are delayed, you may miss your connection and find yourself left out in the cold. If your travel plans are flexible, consider asking to join the "volunteer" list when you check-in just in case your flight is oversold. By giving up your seat, you'll often be confirmed on another flight and you'll receive compensation of either a free ticket or travel credit.
SeatGuru.com
Travel Tip Category: Holiday Air Travel
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- Do Unto Other Travelers as You Would Have Them Do Unto You
There is no more important time to respect airline etiquette than the holidays. Don't request a ride on the courtesy cart unless you have health conditions, or are legitimately in jeopardy of missing your flight. Don't get in line to board until they have called your section. Don't eat particularly odorous food in close proximity to other travelers. Recline your seat back only as necessary, and refrain from talking on your cell phone when the plane is taxiing unless it is urgent, and if it is, keep the volume down and the conversation quick.
SeatGuru.com
Travel Tip Category: Holiday Air Travel
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- Don't Be Too Naughty or Too Nice to Airline Employees
Like you, airline staffs are stressed during the holidays. While conventional wisdom may be that you get more bees with honey, this isn't always the case -- especially when the loud, squeaky wheel standing next to you in line at the gate gets greased first. Being friendly and patient, but firm and persistent, (not pesky), is the best way to get the answers you want, faster. Sometimes calling customer service on airlines will get you further than negotiating with harried airline desk personnel. We recommend storing the airline's customer service phone number in your cell phone's speed-dial.
SeatGuru.com
Travel Tip Category: Holiday Air Travel
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- Good Things Come to Those Who are Prepared to Wait at the Airpor
When flying this holiday season, plan for delays, and prepare accordingly. While there were many reports about improved on-time arrivals and departures during the busy Thanksgiving weekend, you should still prepare for delays for the holidays. If you are traveling with children, be sure to bring snacks and games, even for short flights. If you have plans to be at an event at a certain time, don't risk flying the same day. If you are flying or connecting on the last flight of the night to your destination, consider bringing a few toiletries and fresh underwear to get you through an unplanned overnight stop- over. If a big storm is approaching your departure, destination, or one of your connection cities, ask your airline if they have space to allow you to fly out before the storm. The airlines want you to get to your destination and may make schedule changes for free if unfriendly weather is approaching.
SeatGuru.com
Travel Tip Category: Holiday Air Travel
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- Passport
Sign your passport, and fill in emergency information: Update and sign your valid passport, and a visa, if required. Don't forget to also fill in the emergency information page of your passport.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Qipit
Qipit itinerary, passport and other important documents: Make sure you are protected in case of theft, loss or other emergency by making easy to access digital backup copies of important documents. Qipit (www.qipit.com), a free service, turns any camera phone into a mobile scanner so you can convert important documents (travelers checks, driver's license, passport or itinerary), into enhanced easy-to-read digital copies that can be saved online, emailed or faxed right from your phone to anywhere in the world.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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- Insurance
Review your insurance coverage: Confirm with your medical insurance provider that your policy applies overseas and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If your coverage does not cover you abroad, consider supplemental insurance.
Travel Tip Category: Safety
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