Hi everyone! I’m back with another travel blog. I know SO many people are planning on traveling this year, especially this summer. Unfortunately due to a rise in travel after the pandemic and a lack of pilots/FAs hired back after the layoffs plus rising fuel costs, travel has become chaotic. I’ve heard of 5000+ flights being cancelled randomly in just one week alone in June by United!
Many people have chosen not to travel this summer, but if you are.. I wanted to make sure to give you all of the top tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the years as well as some tips from the experts on how to make travel as seamless as possible. Hopefully you enjoy the traveling in 2022 blog!
Tip 1: Pack an Extra Set of Clothes in Your Carry On
If you’re planning on checking your luggage please keep in mind that many airlines and airports are having difficulty retaining luggage staff, as a result many bags aren’t making it on flights! During my trip to Paris, I checked my bag and it was lost for DAYS. Unfortunately I didn’t take my own advice and ended up wearing the same dress for a few days straight – eeek!
Tip: Wear a comfortable but pretty everyday dress, cardigan/blazer and stylish shoes for your flight if you check your bag. This way if your suitcase is lost, you have at least one suitable outfit to get you by until your luggage is returned.
Affordable and comfortable outfit options:
Tip 2: Take the first flight out
Experts suggest to always take the first flight out of an airport. Even though getting up early isn’t ideal, the plane is more likely to be available and you won’t be affected by delays (unless it’s weather!). Also, after researching that typically the first flight of the day is more affordable than other flights.
Tip 3: Don’t check your bag
This goes along with tip #1, but I truly believe that checking your bag right now isn’t a good idea! Just bring along a carry-on filled with everything you need, even if it’s for a long trip. It’s not worth the headache!
Tip 4: Enroll in Pre-Check//Global Entry//Clear
If you live in the United States, one of our top tips is to enroll in a program that allows you to skip security lines. Pre-check and clear have saved our butts more times than we can count! It’s crazy how helpful they are..pre-check doesn’t require you to take your shoes off, take your liquids out of your bag, and you get to skip the entire line. Clear can take you to the front of pre-check line if you have it as well! So helpful.
Tip 5: Choose the Nonstop Flight
I normally always try to book a nonstop flight rather than a one or two-stop option, but this summer especially attempt to book the nonstop! It’s normally a bit more expensive to book a nonstop, however it can be a game-changer when it comes to potential delays or even cancellations. The worst thing is being stuck in a connection city without an option to continue on, which has been happening all summer.
Tip 6: Bring a Blanket/Eye Mask and More in your Carry On
Being comfortable on a flight is so important! Especially when there are delays, cancellations and more on the line. Bring everything you need in your carry on that can help you get through a long travel day. I love to take a travel pillow, blanket, eye mask, moisturizer, toothbrush, a little makeup, and more! We have a viral list here of everything we bring in our carry ons.
Tip 7: Book with a Credit Card that has Travel Insurance
Many different credit cards have included travel insurance, which many people do not realize the benefits of. If your flight is cancelled and you are stuck in a different city, or even at home – you will need to pay the difference typically. If your credit card has travel insurance, it typically helps cover the costs and incidentals which can be a lifesaver!
There are many other tips and tricks out there but these are some of the few that we think give you the best chance to get through this crazy travel season!
Let us know if you have any other tips, and please leave them in the comments below. Cheers from Paris!
xo,
Kristy
Having lived in Santa Barbara, booking the first flight out is sometimes risky there as the fog can sometimes be too heavy for the plane to land the night before thus you are waiting for a plane to be able to land during the foggy season.
Retired airline employee here… Tip #5 – Non-Stop Flights, also help with luggage. If your luggage has to change planes, that’s just another point that it could miss the connection. Also, Tip #2 – First Flight, are generally very reliable historically {outside of weather events). If the first flight for a market is cancelled it would have a “trickle-down” impact on a lot of the schedule, which you don’t want, especially during high volume times. Passengers for that market get reaccommodated on later flights, crews and equipment don’t make their return flights, so those get cancelled. These are crazy days in the airline industry, glad I’m watching from home!
All great points Lisa!! Thanks so much for your input. :)
Another good tip nowadays put a tracker in your luggage the one you might be checking in, Then have app. on your phone. There all kinds of these tracker you can buy. Had a friend that did that with her check in luggage, she was going to Spain. Well the airlines told her it was lost, but it wasn’t, It was sitting in airport where she could find from her phone. It was amazing people cheer for her when went back to pick up. Yes it’s happening alot with overseas flights. I’ll definitely going put tracker in my luggage from now on. She use Air France for her trip.