 1) Book early. This is important in airline travel, as it can help
ensure you get the best deals out there and the flight times you want.
Particularly during peak travel times, popular flights have a tendency
to sell out, and the closer you get to your travel date, the less chance
you'll have of getting a good rate.
2) Select your seats as soon
as you can. Try to do so during or immediately following the booking
process. If you have special needs, such as being handicapped or
traveling with a small child, have your travel agent contact the
airlines ahead of time, as this will give you the best chance of getting
those accommodations. Also, be aware that having a seat assignment
ahead of time can help you avoid getting bumped at the airport if the
flight ends up being overbooked.
3) Arrive early at the airport.
This is a popular piece of airline travel advice, but it really cannot
be understated how important this is for a less-stressful travel
experience. It’s not uncommon to run into unexpected delays at the
airport, such as traffic or long lines at check-in or security.
Remember, you’re better off spending a little time waiting at the gate
than ending up running into difficulties and missing your flight.
4) Take advantage of online check-in. Many airlines allow you to check
in 24 hours ahead of time over the Internet and print your boarding pass
right then. This is a great air travel tip that you should definitely
take advantage of, as it can really save you time and help you avoid
lines and other hassles at the airport.
5) Have all your
documents in order. Although e-tickets are now the norm, you will need
to provide a confirmation number or the credit card you used if you are
checking in at the airport. And you'll need to present proper photo
identification multiple times no matter how you checked in. If you’re
traveling out of the country, be sure you have any paperwork you’ll need
for customs as well.
6) Prepare your baggage for airline travel.
Most airlines have specific baggage policies, and you can avoid a lot
of hassles by finding these out ahead of time. Know any particular
dimensions and weights you'll need to adhere to, what fees are charge,
and how many bags you can take. Label your bags but don’t lock them, as
security may very well need to search them. Also be aware of carry-on
restrictions, so you don’t get tied up with security because you
inadvertently packed a pair of sewing scissors.
7) Bring a
customer service number for the airline with you. This can prove to be
invaluable if your flight is delayed or canceled, or you arrive at your
connecting airport only to find that you missed your flight. This gives
you a much better shot at booking the next flight out than you'll have
standing in line to try to re-book with a gate agent. |
|
