While it may feel as if the holiday season tends to “sneak up” on us every year, the best way to avoid a holiday travel headache is to start preparing in advance. That includes everything from pinning down an itinerary and not waiting until the last minute to start packing.

Book Travel Early and Consider Winter Weather

Flight and rental car costs are generally higher during the holiday season, but booking in advance can help you score a better deal. According to travel experts at Hopper, you should book your holiday flight or car rental by mid-October to get the best rate.

Here are some other holiday flight tips:

• Choose an early morning flight: Not only are early mornings cheaper, they’re also more likely to arrive on time. Hopper experts say flights departing after 9 a.m. have double the chance of being delayed compared to those arriving between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.
• Opt for a direct flight: While it may be more expensive, a direct flight reduces your chances of missing a connection due to delays or cancellations.
• Book with the same airline: If you have connecting flights and book with different airlines, you may not be able to get a proper refund for both flights if one cancels.
• Avoid the crowds: Try to stay away from the busiest and most stressful U.S. airports if you can.
• Get travel insurance: You can’t control the weather or airlines, but you can take an extra step to protect your travel investment. Even if you don’t typically get travel insurance for trips, it may be worth considering for the holidays.

Prepare for Higher Prices

The tips above can help you save some money, but overall flights tend to be more expensive during the holiday season.

The more flexible you can be with your plans, the more likely you are to save. Set flight alerts to keep track of pricing changes and look into flying during less-desirable times, like early mornings or even on the day of the holiday, to secure lower rates. The holidays are also a great time to take advantage of credit card reward points if you have any.

While the consensus is to book early for flights and rental cars in 2023, the opposite is true for accommodations. Experts say booking a last-minute stay at a hotel in major cities can save you as much as 25%. But if you’re planning a more luxury holiday destination vacation, you should book at least three weeks in advance.

Pack Smart

You can reduce travel-related stress by not waiting until the last minute to pack your suitcase for your holiday trip. Here are some things to keep in mind for packing:

• Try to fit all in the carry-on: It’s best to have all of your belongings on the plane with you to avoid lost baggage (and a checked bag fee). But if that’s not possible, make sure you at least have the most essential items — medications, important electronics, contacts or glasses, toiletries, etc. — packed into a carry-on bag.
• Check airline baggage policies: Make sure the bags you intend to bring fit the airlines’ policies for size and weight to avoid having to pay an additional fee.
• Pack for all travelers: If you’re traveling with seniors or young ones, consider everything they need to stay healthy, safe and comfortable, and make sure those items are brought on the plane with you.
• Label your luggage: Make your suitcase distinguishable, and have identification information attached to it. Consider buying tracking devices for checked luggage so that if your bags are lost, you can track and (hopefully) retrieve them faster than the airline can.

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Your flights are booked and your bags are packed, so now comes the main event — travel day. Here are some additional tips for how to avoid airport headaches.

Book Airport Transfer or Parking Ahead of Time

If you need a lift to the airport, it can help to book it in advance. You can schedule a car on ride-share apps or call a cab company. If you’re planning to park your car, consider booking a spot in advance, as lots fill up fast during the holidays.

Get There Early

Airports can be chaotic during the festive season. The general rule of thumb is to arrive at the airport three hours ahead of time if you are flying domestically to give yourself plenty of time to get through security and to your gate before takeoff.

Consider Getting TSA Precheck or CLEAR

You can consider signing up for TSA Precheck or CLEAR to expedite your airport security process and avoid long lines. But note that TSA Precheck can take up to 60 days to process your application, so you will have to apply ahead of time.

Have Documents Easily Accessible (and Secured)

It can help to have all the tickets and identification documents for everyone in your party in an easy-to-access place, especially if you’re moving through long lines. Make sure these documents are also properly secured and safe from theft.

Download the Airline App

Download the app for whichever airline you’re flying so you can have digital records of your flight information and boarding passes. Ensure notifications are on so you’ll get alerts if there are any gate changes or flight delays.

Prepare Kids and Pets

Airports can be especially stressful for children and pets. Pack comfort toys or sources of entertainment to keep them occupied. Many airports also have dedicated areas for children to play and various pet relief stations — it may help to map these out in advance so you’ll know where to go.

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The holiday season tends to coincide with higher crime and sicknesses. Here are some tips to stay safe and healthy for the festivities.

Prioritize Your Health

With changing temperatures, hectic schedules and taking public transportation, taking extra care of yourself can help you avoid getting sick. Wash your hands often and make sure you’re getting enough sleep leading up to your trip, and pack wipes to sanitize surfaces if you are worried about germs while traveling.

While sickness and accidents are often unavoidable, you can purchase travel medical insurance to cover medical bills if you become sick or injured while traveling.

Be Mindful of Your Belongings

Be wary of your surroundings while traveling to prevent theft. Don’t leave your bags unattended in airports or transit stations, and keep important documents and money in a discreet and secure spot.

Protect Your Home While Away

Robbery and personal larceny crimes generally increase by about 20% during December. If you have neighbors you trust, let them know about your travel plans and ask them to keep an eye on your house and collect any mail or packages for you. Turn on any home security alarms if applicable and keep some lights turned on to detract burglars. Newspaper deliveries should also be suspended so that they don’t pile up and make it clear you’re away.

Another tip — try to avoid posting about your travels on social media until after you get back. According to ADT, letting the internet know that your home is vacant is an open invitation for burglars.

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Holiday travel can be challenging, especially during a year that’s already seen a lot of air travel disruption. But with thorough planning and smart preparation and packing, you can reduce stress and ultimately enjoy your journey. It may be easier to embrace the holiday spirit knowing you’re well-prepared to handle any travel hiccups and your investment is protected with proper insurance.

If you purchase travel insurance, take note of exactly what is covered under your policy in case you have to file a claim. It’s best practice to get quotes from at least three providers to get the best rate. We recommend checking out Nationwide, Generali and AXA to secure the lowest travel insurance rate.

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