Holiday Travel Tips
by Kathleen Ameche

If you’ll be traveling during the holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, July 4, Labor Day, and so on – delays are the rule, not the exception. And delays are especially irritating at holiday time, when you’re particularly eager to reach your destination.

Let’s face it: delays are outside your control, but there are things that you can do to minimize them. The following tips will help you get the most out of your holiday getaway:

• Start early. The first flight out is always the best, especially on the busiest travel days of the year. As soon as delays begin, they quickly compound as the day progresses. If you’re booked on a later flight but want to get a jump on things, you can always check-in for an earlier flight on a standby basis. Individuals clear the standby list on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you get to the airport and add your name to the list the better. Policies differ from one airline to the next, but most do not charge a change fee if you fly standby on the same day as your ticketed flight.

• Check the weather forecast for your destination city, as well as any stopover cities on your route. Whether you use the Internet, The Weather Channel, or even the newspaper, find out if nasty meteorological conditions might cause delays. If adverse weather is predicted any place you are going, be especially sure to get an early start.

• Check the airline’s website for information. Before leaving for the airport, always check the airline website for current flight information. Be sure they have your cell phone number and/or email address so their automatic notification systems can keep you up-to-date on any flight changes.

• Try to fly nonstop. You may have bought a money-saving ticket that routes you through multiple cities on the same carrier. If so and you know that your airline services your destination direct from your starting point, be sure to ask at the airport if you can catch the next direct flight – especially if you expect foul weather ahead. If there’s room (and if the ticket agent is in a good mood), you may get the nonstop flight at no extra charge.

• Travel light. Ship any gifts ahead, then take the minimum of clothes in a carry-on bag.  You won’t have to worry about lost luggage (not uncommon during the holidays), and you’ll have a lot more flexibility when it comes to flight changes.

• Make sure the phone numbers of your airline and/or travel agent are programmed into your cell phone. This way, if your flight is delayed or canceled, you can make alternative arrangements on the spot. If you choose to wait in the endless lines for the airline’s assistance, you may not get on the next available flight, which means waiting for hours or flying out the next day.

• Check the expiration date on your driver’s license or other official ID. You can’t board an airplane without a government-issued photo identification and can’t rent a car without a valid driver’s license. Always check to see that your identification has not expired. Be especially careful if your birthday is close to the holiday.

If you'll be picking up guests from the airport, be sure to check online for accurate arrival information. Check directly with the carrier, or go to FlightStats.com.

Kathleen Ameche is the consummate woman road warrior. Her first book, The Woman Road Warrior: A Woman’s Guide to Business Travel (Agate Publishing), is hailed as the most comprehensive handbook available to travelers of any gender. Her website, www.womanroadwarrior.com, provides up-to-the-minute travel information.