Things you should know that could ease the pain of traveling during the holiday season.

Be Prepared

Your tickets should already be booked, but if not, do it NOW! Airlines have cut back on about 10% of their flights this year due to economic hardships and overwhelming summer gas prices.  If availability gets tight expect airlines to increase fares.

Avoid heavy travel days.  Book your reservation to leave days before the holiday and return a few days after the holiday.

Check in online.  If your airline offers online check in take advantage of this and print your boarding pass at home.

Bring a copy of your itinerary in the event the airline doesn’t have a record of your reservation.

Make sure all of your luggage has your name and address on it and remove prior airline tags.

Have the airline’s telephone number and your ticketing information somewhere where you won’t lose it.  You may just need to change your flight or check if your flight is delayed.

Bring a few snacks.  With so many airlines cutting back to increase their bottom line, it’s hard to know which of them will serve you a meal.  If you have a few things to nibble on you won’t need to worry about spending money on expensive airport food or starving to death.

Bring gum or breath mints so you are easier to sit next to.

Bring an ipod (make sure it’s charged) or a good book.

Be Flexible

Have a flexible itinerary. Not only are there less flights, but the nonstop flights have been cut back as well. Travelers are finding that even a quick trip to New York may require a stop. Think out some alternate routes to your final destination.

Consider traveling out of an alternative airport. For example if you normally depart from LAX, give Burbank airport a try.  You may find shorter lines and happier people.

Be prepared to sleep at the airport.  Carry on a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant.  If your flight is canceled or delayed you may find yourself lounging in a terminal for the evening. Having a few small toiletry items can make it a little easier.

Be Organized

Get a carry on with wheels and bring a bungy cord to make sure you can secure additional items to the carry on.

Make sure you know where your boarding pass, passports, ID, etc is.  Don’t be the one checking all your pockets at the front of the security line.

If you parked in the airport lot, find a safe place for your parking ticket and make sure you remember where that safe place is when you return. Write down where you parked on your ticket.

Tie a colored ribbon on the suitcase you check in so you can easily identify it when it’s coming down the chute or lined up amongst 100 other bags.

Be Considerate

Clean out your purse or laptop bag/backpack before you head out to the airport. Don’t wait to get to the security line before you realize you may have a lighter or some other item in there that could hold you up or get you pulled off for a second inspection.  Take a little time at home to make sure you are only taking what you need and that your small liquid items are in a zip lock bag.

Wear clothing that is easy to slip in and out of in case you are required to remove a sweatshirt or take off your shoes or hat.  Security check points aren’t the best places to be sporting fashionable combat boots.

Don’t chat up the person sitting next to you. If they are not very responsive to you, leave them alone.

If you are traveling with your family, look for the new TSA designated family lines at the security check points.  You can spot these easily by the colored signs.

Be Savvy

Know what kind of tickets you are buying.  What are the restrictions attached? Can you change flights? What is the penalty?

Choose your seating when you purchase your ticket online.  Get what you want.

Sign up to receive travel alerts and fare watchers from sites like Travelocity® and Expedia®. Occasionally they will offer something to good to be true.

Check the internet for the airport you are flying in and out of.  Find out what are the best parking lots, restaurants, shuttle service, etc.

Ask for a first class upgrade.  Some airlines will allow you to use rewards points to upgrade at the ticket counter.

Make sure you have a mileage rewards point account with the airline you are traveling on. Some partner with car rental agencies for deeper discounts.

Most airports now have a TSA “expert” traveler line at the security check points. Look for the colored sign and stand in the expert line to move through quicker. Make sure you are an expert traveler.

Be Smart

Consider riding the rail. According to an Amtrak® representative; more travelers than ever are taking the train this year.

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