How to Make Air Travel Less of a Nightmare

The holiday travel season will be here before we know it, and you know what that means. Along with more people traveling and the potential for winter weather comes more flight cancellations, an increase in flight delays and general mayhem in airports across the United States.

And, let's face it. Air travel has become more of a hassle over the years anyway, especially since the pandemic. Research shows that travel demand is still high at the moment, and that has led to fuller planes, longer security lines and more crowds in general for travelers trying to get from place to place.

With a new report (The Tipping Point for Travel Loyalty: 2023 Holiday Travel Trends) showing that 54 percent of adults plan to travel this holiday season compared to just 40% last year, it's crucial to have a plan for the airport that can help you avoid unnecessary stress, long waits and financial losses. Here are some moves you can make to avoid common air travel pitfalls and have a more enjoyable travel experience overall.

Fuller flights and increased travel demand mean you may have to wait longer to check into your flight in the first place, and that lines at TSA can be lengthier than normal. These are reasons you should do yourself a favor and arrive at the airport a little earlier than you could just a few years ago.

Most airlines suggest arriving two hours before your flight departs, but arriving up to three hours before departure can give you more time to move through the airport and some wiggle room if traffic holds you up before you even get there.

Flying first thing in the morning can also help your travels go smoother, especially if your flight winds up canceled or delayed. If you have an early flight, you are much more likely to get rebooked on subsequent itineraries the same day so you can still arrive at your destination on time.

This is especially true if you fly with one of the major airlines (American, Delta, United, etc.) or with an airline that offers multiple flights to your destination each day of the week. 

This brings us to the next tip. Avoid flying with discount carriers that don't work with partner airlines and have limited flights to various destinations every month. Searching for flights with a carrier like Allegiant or Spirit is the best way to learn that these carriers may only offer a few flights to each destination they visit throughout the week.

This means that, if your flight is canceled or delayed, you may have to wait days (instead of hours) to begin your vacation or get home after the fact.

Consider applying for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or both if you're a frequent traveler. These memberships can help you cut down on time spent in security lines at the airport (TSA PreCheck), or at customs and immigration when you arrive back in the U.S. after an international trip (Global Entry).

Also note that TSA PreCheck is automatically included at no cost with Global Entry membership, so you can get a two-for-one deal by choosing Global Entry in the first place. Also be aware that many travel credit cards offer a fee credit for either of these memberships as a cardholder perk.

Also download your airline's mobile app before you fly this holiday season or any time really. This will help you when it comes to monitoring your flight schedule and learning about any delays that occur right away.

Having an airline app can also help you easily rebook a new flight on the go if your flight is delayed after you arrive at the airport, and without even having to wait in line.

Having airport lounge access gives you a place to enjoy drinks and snacks in peace and quiet, which can be crucial when you're arriving at the airport early, you have a long layover or your flight is delayed.

While you can pay for access with individual airlines or buy a broad airport lounge membership through networks like Priority Pass, many travel credit cards offer airport lounge membership as a cardholder perk.

 

There's a lot that can go wrong when you check a bag to your final destination, including the airline losing your bag altogether. Your bags may also be delayed when you arrive at your destination, leaving you without clothing and other essentials for part of your trip.

You can avoid the headaches caused by these hassles if you're able to take a carry-on only on your trip, and you may also be able to save time at the airport since you won't have to wait in line to check your bag in the first place. You can also avoid checked bag fees with this strategy.

If you absolutely have to check a bag because carry-on isn't enough, make sure you're tracking your bags with Apple AirTags (or something similar) so you'll at least know where they're at if something goes wrong.

 

Finally, make sure you purchase robust travel insurance protection for every trip you take. Having travel insurance won't prevent mishaps from happening each time you fly, but it can mean getting reimbursed when your bags are lost or delayed or a trip delay leaves you paying for meals and hotel stays out-of-pocket.

While many companies offer excellent travel insurance policies online, make sure to look for a plan with adequate benefits and limits for emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellations and interruptions, travel delay coverage and protection for lost and delayed baggage.