The summer sun may still be beating down, but that’s no reason not to think about the holidays – in fact, many travelers are trying to take advantage of the last of the dog days to plan their holiday travel before the school year starts and time (and the calendar) run away with us all. Whether you’re trying to strategize the best time to book holiday flights or want to figure out a way around those ever-stressful airport security lines, read on for tips that can help you prep for holiday travel and ensure you arrive at your destination still feeling merry and bright.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is the federal trust traveler program that allows those enrolled to go through a security that’s both shorter and faster. People who enroll in PreCheck don’t have to remove liquids, laptops, belts or shoes from their bags or body before going through security, and the security lines for PreCheck are often shorter.
Traveling internationally this holiday season? Global Entry is similar to PreCheck but for the ultra-globe-trotters. Enrolling in Global Entry also automatically enrolls you in TSA PreCheck and Global Entry also helps you clear customs quickly upon arrival. In either case, start researching the documents you need, and collecting those documents now; the enrollment process can take months, especially as the holidays inch closer and more and more people realize they’d like these extra-convenient clearances.
Know when to book holiday travel
Growing up, a lot of us were told to book flights on Tuesdays – historically the day of the week when airlines boasted the best prices. When airlines launched sales or booking incentives on that day, and all were competing with one another, this rang true, but this conventional advice isn’t the most accurate.
Industry data now shows that the best time to book domestic flights is 28 days from your departure date or 60 days from your international travel departure date. But even so, flights during the holidays are often much more expensive – and many travelers, especially families or those needing to put in for time off early, may not want to wait until right before Thanksgiving to book Christmas flights to Grandma’s.
When booking holiday travel, consumer travel experts suggest monitoring for the best domestic flight prices anywhere between three to four months in advance, and that window widens to three to five months for international flights. A Google Flights booking trends report suggests that average flight prices for the days around Christmas were lowest around 70 days before departure. But all of that said: if you see a flight on the date you like at a great price, book it sooner rather than later.
Consider sending your luggage ahead
If your holidays include ski gear or snowboards, or if you already know you’ll be bringing enough gifts to stock a small toy store, it’s likely worth considering shipping your luggage on ahead to avoid getting jammed up at baggage claim or risking having to file a lost luggage claim. What’s more, it’s never been more convenient to do so, saving you time and stress (because who needs more of that around the holidays?).
Since 2005, Luggage Forward has been shipping everything from mobility aids and golf clubs to suitcases and sports gear from doorstep to destination. We help travelers arrange hassle-free pickups and ensure every piece of luggage arrives at their destination on time. This ensures every traveler can skip extra baggage fees, order smaller Ubers, and have less to manage as they’re dashing through the snow…or to their connecting flight.
Many travelers also choose to take it a step further and ship holiday gifts ahead to their destination and wrap them when they arrive. This might take a bit of finagling – for example, telling your in-laws not to open anything that arrives at their address with your name on it – but doing this reduces the risk of gifts getting damaged or lost in transit and ensures that, even if the package is delayed, it only has to make one stop: your destination, where you can wrap it and stick it under the tree without anyone being the wiser.
There’s a lot to love about the holidays: spending time with loved ones, eating delicious food, exchanging gifts, and making new memories. Whether holiday travel is a part of those beloved rituals for you, or if your entire family dreads nothing more than standing in the TSA line, implementing these tips will help you survive your holiday flights with plenty of cheer to spare.
