Traveling is definitely one of the most exciting and rewarding things to do. However, the process you have to go through to make it to your travel destination is quite stressful, including packing the luggage, booking your flight ticket, arriving at the airport and getting through security to the flight itself.
Hence, some travelers might even lose excitement and even regret traveling. The thing that ruins their long-planned vacation! No worries! Travel stress can be controlled in case you are willing to follow these easy tips given by air travel experts.
TSA Precheck Status
We all know how stressful it is to go through the security line! It’s almost everyone’s unfavorite part of traveling. That’s in addition to being an extremely time-consuming process! However, you can easily get through the airport security line if you want !
All you need is to purchase is the Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program that cost for $85. Trust us! it is worth the money and we definitely recommend it for you!
This program can last for five years and will help you save much time at the airport and help you avoid potential delays. It will also allow you to use separate and expedites security lines!
The interesting thing about it is that you won’t be obliged to take off your shoes, belts, and light jackets when passing through security. The same thing is applicable for your laptop and liquids, said Michael McGilligan, who is general manager of the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport hotel.
The agency reports that 93% of travelers who are using this particular program spend no more than 5 minutes to clear security, which is JUST Awesome!
Chasing Status
Gab Saglie, who is a Senior Editor at Travelzoo, said that many travelers focus on air miles while they totally neglect chasing status. The thing is that Status is key with airlines. He explained saying that you should be smart and travel only with one specific airline or alliance. Being loyal to one specific airline can help you earn status faster.
Therefore, you will automatically have enough airline miles and at the same time enjoy many advantages such as setting on your preferred seats, early boarding, and checked bags at no cost at all, added Saglie.
Saglie even proposes Delta loyalty program for infrequent flyers. The latter program has no expiration date and can help travelers to accumulate over time.
Size Really Matters
Having a smooth and stress-free air travel is all about paying attention to small details. In fact, those little and stupid details you neglect are what arise your stress and anxiety levels while at the airport.
One of the things you neglect and that certainly ruin your trip is your over-packed carry-on bag.Size really matters and it’s only you who can control it!
In fact, one of the best ways to save money during air travel is by avoiding to pay the expensive fees to check your bags. The cost can reach $100 and sometimes, even more, depending on the airline.
An over-sized carry-on bag can cost you dearly. Therefore, you should be wise and control your bag’s weight. This way, you will save yourself the hassle and the money too!
Checking A Carry-On Bag At No Cost
Travelers can check their carry-on bags without having to pay for them, said Grainne Kelly, who is a former traveler agent. Hence, you just need to wait for all the other passengers to board with their carry-on bags.
This way the plane will run out of room for bags and the flight attendant can check your carry-on at no cost at all at the gate. Should you always remember to request at the gate if it’s okay to check your bag! You can never know, it could be your lucky day!
Surviving An Exhausting Long Layover
Surviving a long layover is definitely not something that you enjoy, especially if you have kids. It is exhausting and extremely stressful. However, instead of sitting at the airport for hours, you can book a room in a hotel and rest a bit before you take your next flight.
In fact, many hotels offer day rooms, said McGilligan. The Hilton Chicago O’Hare, for instance, offer day rooms for only $109.
Taking A Refreshing Shower
Tacking a shower is another smart way to survive the long layovers, said Hotwire President Henrik Kjellberg. You can just buy your access to shower lounges and enjoy a warm and refreshing shower that will surely help you feel one brand new person.
Kjellberg said that the prices vary from one destination to another. The London’s Heathrow International Airport offers such facility for $30 while it is around $26 in the Hong Kong International Airport. It ‘s not really expensive and definitely worth the money!
Looking Your Best
Let’s face it looking your best while traveling doesn’t really fit with the exhausting travel process you go through unless you are a celebrity traveling on a private jet or rich enough to have access to an in-flight shower in first class!
Airpretty thought about you and decided to create a new option for you! The company has designed a collection of travel-size beauty and comfort products, including a classic travel kit that cost $25 and many other beauty products that can easily fit in your travel kit.
However, you have the option to customize the selection and choose the products you want with travel-size products from the drugstore.
Surviving The Stressful Long-Haul Flight
Long-Haul flights are not less stressful than the long layovers. The only difference is that layovers are spent in the airports while long-haul flights are spent on board in the skies above!
However, you can always survive your long-haul flight by flowing simple yet effective tips. McGilligan said that it is always a good idea to choose an exit-row window seat for extra space where you can stretch out.
Also, make sure to eat well before you get into the plane, make sure you have soothing and relaxing music downloaded in your phone, why not also watch your favorite series, or even better, read an interesting book if you are bookish! You just have to keep yourself busy and entertained!
Choosing The Right Seat
Not all seats on the plane are equally comfortable! Therefore, it is recommended that travelers check the SeatLink website for more information about this matter. The website contains a database that covers more than 202,750 seats on 1,256 airplane configurations across 234 airline companies.
This rich database will, therefore, help you review all types of seats and also help you book the best seat available.
The Right Credit Card
The consumer affairs editor for the TopCashBack website, Natasha Rachel Smith, strongly recommends the credit-card rewards programs. The latter can offer travelers many perks including, upgrades, free checked baggage, complimentary lounge access, and a lot more!
She also said that the best credit card that can help you get all this is United Airlines’ MileagePlus Explorer Card. So, what are you waiting for? Do your best to improve the quality of your air travel and enjoy every single moment of your vacation! You deserve it!