Air Travel Hacks
Whoever said “enjoy the journey as well as the destination" probably didn’t travel by plane.
Spending time in airports can be pretty stressful depending on the time of year or even the time of day that you are traveling. Not only can it be very confusing, there are so many people. And everyone is in a frantic rush.
I like to minimize the things I need to do at the airport by keeping my luggage to a minimum and by flying direct if I can. I rarely check a bag, opting to pack all of my items in an overnight suitcase that can easily be brought on board and stored in the overhead bin. That way, I avoid having to stand in line to have my luggage weighed and taken by an agent. Using compression bags like these Lean Travel compression packing cubes helps with making sure all items fit in my carry-on luggage.
Checking in the night before and printing your boarding pass or having it readily available on your phone saves time as well. By doing this and not checking your luggage, you can arrive at the airport and head straight to security. Less steps to take. Less confusion. Less stress.
There are plenty of other things that will allow for a smoother journey through the airport. Here are some of my tips for reducing stress and breezing through the process.
Ticket Purchasing
If you are a reluctant flier, early morning flights oftentimes are less turbulent and may reduce opportunities to have your flight canceled or delayed. Consider using Skyscanner.com to compare the cost of flights. It is a flight, car rental and hotel search engine that scans all of the top airlines and travel providers to compare flight fares and other travel costs, but you book directly with the provider. To get the best fares, you may wish to search 2-8 months ahead for international flights and 1-3 months ahead for domestic flights. Another great website to look into is Going.com, especially if you are flexible with dates and travel locations. This website has a handy guide on how to get the best rates.
TSA PreCheck
Designed to get you through airport security with ease, TSA PreCheck is fairly common in most airports in the United States. There is a special security line for those with TSA PreCheck. It is usually shorter and doesn’t require you to remove your shoes, liquids, belt, or laptop. All this for a fee of $78 for a five-year membership. It’s definitely worth it. Simply go online to fill out the application and head to a convenient location with two forms of identification to be fingerprinted and photographed. You’ll have your Known Traveler Number (KTN) within a week or so. I think the biggest advantage to TSA PreCheck is not having to take off my shoes. I’m not a huge fan of walking with just my socks on through the airport - and what if you want to wear flip-flops.
Global Entry
Global Entry is useful if you travel internationally. For a fee of $100, you can go through United States customs screening expeditiously when entering the U.S. from an international location. Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits as part of their membership. Apply online, attend an in-person interview at an enrollment center, and you’re issued a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) membership, which is good for five years.
Security Screening
If you do not have TSA PreCheck and enter the security line with the general public, there are ways to make your time in the line less cumbersome. First, go to the left. Everyone naturally goes to the right, so you’ll find less folks in front of you in this “lane less traveled.” Getting behind a business traveler who is used to the routine will also speed things up a bit. Prepare by untying your shoelaces and by removing your jacket and belt as well as everything in your pockets while you are waiting. Your liquids should be in a quart-size ziploc bag. Putting it in an easily-accessible, outside pocket of your suitcase means that you can quickly take it out. Same goes for the laptop. Luggage, like this Hanke Hardshell Suitcase, with a front pocket where the liquids and laptop are easily accessible is a timesaver.
Luggage Weight & Size
It is a good idea to head to the airline’s website to confirm the size of carry-on luggage and the weight of checked luggage. The standard domestic limit for carry-on is 22”L x 14”W x 9”H, whereas the international limit could be 21.5”L x 15.5”W x 9”H. This always includes wheels and handles. Most airlines require that the weight of checked luggage be under 50 pounds. Some airlines enforce a strict weight limit for carry-on luggage as well. You may wish to purchase a lightweight, portable scale like this one to be sure that your suitcase, whether checked or a carry-on, does not exceed the weight limit. There are hefty fees if it does. Consider wearing your most heavy clothes and shoes rather than packing them.
Checked Luggage
If you must check your luggage, make it stand out. Either purchase very “loud” luggage (not your standard black) to easily identify it as it moves along the belt in claims and to dissuade thieves from taking it OR wrap a bright scarf around the handle of your luggage. It is not uncommon for luggage to be stolen, and thieves will choose an inconspicuous black over the hot pink, flamingo-adorned suitcase. It’s a great idea to take a photo of the luggage before handing it off to the agent so that in the event that it is lost, you can show the picture to help find it more easily. And speaking of lost luggage, a very wise friend took a picture of the interior of the suitcase so that she could easily remember what she had in it if she had to file a claim.
Carry-On Essentials
Those items that you absolutely cannot be without should be stored in your carry-on, like medication, contacts and eyeglasses, passports, or expensive camera equipment. A change of clothes and some undergarments might also be included just in case your checked baggage is lost.
Toiletries
Whether you go through the TSA PreCheck line or not, airlines restrict liquids, gels, and aerosols to travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces and fit within a clear quart-size bag. The 3-1-1 liquid rule originated after a thwarted terrorist plot. A British bomber planned to take liquid explosive material in their carry-on that couldn't be detected by the scanners. The 3-1-1 rule was adopted after tests revealed that these quantities couldn’t create an explosive. But what if you have so many liquid toiletries that all cannot fit within one quart-size bag or if your favorite hairspray doesn’t come in a travel size? Consider purchasing these items at your destination.
Airport Essentials
Keeping your phone charged is essential, especially if there is a delay and you’re using it more. Consider bringing a portable charger. An empty, reusable water bottle is also a great idea. Once you go through security, you can fill that empty bottle with water. This Brita Water Bottle is perfect since it filters the water.
Priority Pass
If you are so inclined, you may wish to purchase a Priority Pass membership to use the exclusive lounge. Typically, these lounges offer a more quiet space, better wifi, and complimentary food and drinks. There are several different types of memberships. For the most basic plan, it is $99 a year with a $35 member visit fee each time you use the lounge. Some credit cards offer Priority Pass as a perk. Here is a great article on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. There is a hefty annual fee of about $400 but the benefits may be worth it if you travel a lot. Benefits are a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which includes a guest, $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and a $300 annual travel credit. If you are an avid traveler, you may wish to consider it or another credit card with similar perks.
Stay Germ-Free
There are lots of germs on planes, since there is a constant turnover of passengers throughout the day. I always bring a small container of lysol wipes and wipe down the arm rests, belt buckles, tray table and window shade - anything where hands would touch. Turning on the overhead fan will blow germs away, as counterintuitive as that sounds. According to Travel+Leisure, leaving vents open and allowing air to flow can help prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. Of course, there is always the option of wearing a mask in the airport and during the flight. And if you can avoid using the bathroom on the plane, all the better. One thing that I heard of and wished I hadn’t had to do with ice cubes on an airplane. According to CheapAir.com, studies have shown that the water used to make ice on airplanes isn’t always the cleanest, and airplane ice cube trays harbor bacteria. I’ll skip the drink with ice from now on.
Snacks and Drinks
An empty bottle will get through security and can be filled afterward so you’ll have water while waiting for the plane and during the flight. That way you can avoid those pesky ice cubes. Consider bringing your own snacks as well. Not only will you save money by not purchasing these items after going through security, but you can be assured of eating healthier snacks as well. As long as the item is solid, it will pass through security.
In-Flight Conveniences
Some airlines offer inflight purchases; others do not. For those that do, consider bringing your own headphones or earbuds to save money. Wearing a heavier sweater or jacket or bringing your own blanket will keep you warm. This one by SageFinds is great since it attaches to luggage. Not only will that keep money in your wallet, but can you be sure that the airline’s blanket was laundered? Some folks swear by neck pillows for comfort while sleeping on the plane. Bring gum to help with ear pressure when descending. Wearing compression socks has been shown to reduce jet lag.
Post-Flight
Plane tickets and boarding passes contain personal information. In HuffPost, the author warns that hackers are able to scan the barcode on a boarding pass and gain access to your name, flight number, and your full airline account number. Sometimes, additional details such as an email address, phone number and more will be available. “With access to the full frequent flier account number, a scammer can then get “secret question” information like mother’s maiden names or high school mascots from social media to log into the account. From there, the criminal can wreak havoc by changing or canceling future reservations, stealing frequent flier points and more.” The moral of the story - either use an electronic boarding pass on your phone or shred your paper boarding pass after the flight.
Traveling can have its share of headaches. The key is to remain flexible and be prepared as much as possible. With these air travel hacks, hopefully your experience will be a bit more smooth and hassle-free. Safe travels! And if you have other helpful hints, please share them in the comments.