It’s that time of year again! People are packing their suitcases, anticipating visiting family or responding to the call of warm sandy beaches. If you are traveling this winter, here are a few tips I’ve learned over my years in the travel industry.
*Make a copy of all the cards in your wallet. I don’t know about you, but I can never remember what I have in my wallet. Loss or theft while traveling can leave a person in a panic. However, having your credit card numbers and the phone numbers to call will make the recovery process go much smoother.
*Pack plenty of snacks and an empty water bottle. Hungry = Hangry! You never know when you are going to be held up without food. Also, you are not allowed full water bottles through security, so leave the bottle empty and fill it up at the drinking fountain after you’ve passed through the security checkpoint.
*Remember TSA’s 3-1-1 Rule. You are allowed 3 oz bottles of liquid in a 1-quart size Ziploc bag, 1 per passenger in your carry-on luggage. Visit TSA.gov for more details.
*Don’t wrap your presents in advance. Airport security wants to see what you are bringing and reserves the right to unwrap your presents. Let’s hope they don’t get to keep them!
*Elderly passengers (75 years and older) are no longer required to remove their shoes or light jackets.
*Have low expectations and remember that you cannot control the weather or the airplanes. The one thing you can control is your response. Winter traveling often means delays. It takes one snowstorm and half of the airports can shut down temporarily. 95% of the time it’s not the fault of the airline or the agent trying to rebook you. A smile goes a long way. Be patient. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask questions. Is this the soonest flight? Is there another route? Can you help put me up in a hotel?
*And lastly! Book through a travel agent. When you hear the dreaded announcement that your flight has been cancelled, you scramble into line to rebook your flight and find that you are already the 50th person in line. You call the airlines and their wait time is an hour. What else can you do while you watch every seat sell out? Call your travel agent! We can give you advice, check your reservations and sometimes even rebook you before you get to the front of the line.
Have a merry Christmas and a safe travel season!
Lacey Gloystein
Travel Consultant
Henderson, NE
