We’re coming up on the busiest travel season of the year. If you are planning to visit family members or head home for the holidays, there are some things that can make your travels much less stressful. As someone who frequently travels, these are 7 of my best tips for traveling during the holiday season this year:

1. Find the best flight deals by tracking flights in advance.

We all want to find the best flight prices possible, especially during the busy holiday season. So if you’re booking holiday travel, I recommend looking for the best flight deals by using a search engine that allows you to search departures and arrivals in multiple cities to find the cheapest prices. You can also track flight prices or sign up for price alerts for booking trips that are a few months out to ensure you get the best price. Pro tip: Flying on an actual holiday can be much cheaper than the surrounding days!

2. Pay for bags in advance to save money when you book with a low-cost carrier or sit in a budget class.

Low-cost carriers like Allegiant, Spirit, Frontier, etc., offer lower-priced airline tickets that don’t include things like a carry-on bag or seat selection. If you need more than a personal item (a small bag that fits under the seat in front of you), it is cheaper to pay for bags when you book your flights than when you arrive at the airport. You can also save money by bundling bags and seat selection when you book on some airlines. Even if you’re not flying a budget airline, some major airlines offer budget-class tickets with fewer inclusions. Make sure to do some research and know what’s included in your ticket price before you fly to avoid any extra fees at the airport.

3. Head to the airport early because lines are crazy during the holidays.

It’s recommended that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your domestic flight leaves or 3 hours before your international flight leaves. But at certain airports, lines can be crazy long during the holiday season. Check your departure airport’s website for updates, and make sure you arrive as early as possible if lines are running long. Spending a little more time at the airport is way better than missing your flight home to spend time with friends and family. A lot of airports also have CLEAR and TSA pre-check lines that move quicker than the general security line. I have TSA pre-check and Global Entry to be able to skip long lines. A lot of travel credit cards include a TSA pre-check or Global Entry, so check if any of your current cards offer that or you might be able to apply for a new travel card that includes a membership. I also got CLEAR this year, which is also covered by some cards and loyalty programs, like the Amex Platinum card. United also offers special pricing for MileagePlus members or free CLEAR membership if you are in the Premier 1K or Global Services tier. 

4. Bring your own snacks to the airport to save money.

Plan ahead and bring snacks to the airport so you don’t have to pay airport prices. Airports are notorious for high prices on snacks, and it can also be hard to find wholesome food. Plus, lines for shops and restaurants can get long, making it hard to grab something quick while trying to get to your gate on time. I like packing some healthy protein-packed snacks that keep me nourished and feeling my best while traveling. Check out some of my favorite snacks to pack on trips on Amazon here! 

5. Be careful with what you pack. Don’t pack anything you can’t live without in a checked bag!

Just in case your airline loses your bag, it’s good to make sure you carry on all of your necessities and don’t pack away anything you can’t live without in your checked bag. Ideally, your bag won’t get lost or delayed. Just ensure you have essentials like medications and important electronics you can’t live without with you. If you are purchasing gifts to travel with, know TSA’s advice on wrapped gifts. Security might need to inspect wrapped gifts, so waiting to wrap your gifts until you arrive at your destination or giving gift cards or smaller items as gifts might be your best bet.

6. Be prepared for delays.

During the holidays, there are unavoidable delays. From short-staffed airlines to inclement weather, many things can go wrong on a travel day. So prepare to be delayed just in case something puts you behind. And make sure you have a little bit of wiggle room so you can arrive in time for any family events.

7. Know your airline’s policy on delayed baggage.

Know your airline’s lost or delayed baggage policy and take a photo of your luggage before you check it in. If you have a credit card with travel perks, you might have baggage insurance included. Check before you fly to see if you’ll be able to receive some sort of compensation for lost or delayed baggage!

I hope these travel tips help you prepare for your holiday trips and help save you some money and headaches! For more travel inspiration, sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter at the bottom of this page.

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