How to Expect the Unexpected in Holiday Travel

Every holiday season, people bring up that old adage about how a journey can be at least as much fun as the destination. However, this often proves to be the exception to the rule — especially with stripped-down economy cabins, spiking holiday fares, added luggage and flight expenses, changes in routes and other complications involved with logistics.

Sacrifice in comfort and convenience is often the price you pay in order to save money. However, Tom Spagnola, global senior vice president of supplier relations, CheapOair, believes a little due diligence in advance of the trip can mitigate the headache and heartbreak that comes when the unexpected happens. Speaking from 25 years of experience, he offers these suggestions on proactively tackling holiday travel problems that arise, from weather-related cancellations to preventing lost luggage to picking the best airport for the family’s particular travel needs.

Pack Less and Carry On

“We all have heard this before, but December air travel often means long lines, including the baggage drop-off area. To avoid that line, plan what your family can pack in a carry-on rather than check luggage. With the discounted tickets you are buying, you should verify to see what is included in the purchase before packing, keeping in mind that most “basic economy” fares do not include carry-on baggage.”

By Land and By Air

“It’s a given that you should check-in online as soon as the option becomes available —  typically 24 hours before departure. Next, comes ground transportation. Whether you are relying on family, friends, ride share services, taxis or public transit, remember that the air travel portion of your trip isn’t the only pain point during the holidays. Weather and time of day should also be considered when evaluating the already congested roadways.”

Being — and Staying — “In Charge” of All Mobile Devices

“Inevitably, you can expect to spend more time during the holiday season in the airport compared to a typical travel day. More time in the airport often means more time spent on mobile devices, whether you are staying on top of last minute work issues or keeping the kids occupied with games and books on the tablet. Though many airports have started adding mobile-friendly amenities such as charging stations, it’s best not to count on these being available. I recommend charging up all of your devices before heading to the airport and considering carrying one or more portable charging devices.”

Due Diligence on Delays and Disruptions

“Before heading to the airport, double check with your airline to make sure there haven’t been any drastic updates to your flight. Thankfully, many airlines offer travelers the ability to opt-in for SMS updates while checking-in online, and you should take advantage of this. Though SMS updates are automatically sent to smartphones as they happen, however, don’t be tempted to put off going to the airport. New departure times are mostly estimates, and can be moved forward if the cause of the delay has been resolved. If an extended delay or cancellation arises, I strongly suggest calling the airline’s customer support line instead of waiting for assistance at the airport. The agents on the phone are generally able to assist in the same way as the gate personnel.”

Splurge for an Airport Lounge Pass

“If you are saving a significant amount of money on your family’s flights, purchasing airport lounge passes is actually a sound investment in peace of mind when you consider the benefits. The battle with the masses might seem over after passing through airport security, but the gate area can be just as crowded — and stress-inducing — particularly on grandparents or older family members. Day passes to many airport lounges can be purchased for a fee and offer a calmer and more comfortable place to relax, as well as complimentary food and drinks that remove the necessity to bring or buy extra food.”