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Top 10 Summer Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know About Flying to That Once-in-a-Lifetime Vacation
To ensure that your summer vacation (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) is the best it can be, American Airlines offers up these Top 10 Travel Tips for that great individual, couple or family trip:
10. Don't procrastinate. Book early.
9. Travel during off-peak times.
8. Pack smart with security in mind.
7. ID your baggage, but don't lock it.
6. Check in early.
5. Arrive early at the airport; avoid the lines.
4. Dress for success to navigate security.
3. Don't forget your photo ID.
2. Stay close to your departure gate.
1. Relax and enjoy your flight to the vacation of your dreams.
Let's face it. Your summer vacation is your time to unwind and relax after a half year of hard work. You've earned this time off and you want everything to go as smoothly as possible. Following the above 10 tips can go a long way to ensuring a great travel experience for you and your fellow travelers.
No. 10: Don't procrastinate. Book early.
Whether you book online at AA.com or another travel site, use a travel agent or redeem your AAdvantage® frequent flier miles, it is imperative to book as far in advance as possible to get the best deals on flights, hotels and rental cars to the destination you desire. During the summer months, popular flights sell out early. Generally speaking, the longer you wait, the more expensive your trip. For convenience, go to the American Airlines Vacations SM website for complete travel packages (air, car and hotel) at the click of your mouse.
No. 9: Travel during "off-peak" times.
The major airport "hubs" tend to get more crowded during the "peak" traveling times (early morning, late afternoon). Try to travel during off-peak times (mid-morning through early afternoon or in the evening) from Monday through Thursday.
No. 8: Pack smart with security in mind.
With increased security at every airport, it only makes good sense to pack accordingly. All your baggage will be screened and possibly hand-searched. Pack your medicine, jewelry or other valuables in your carry-on baggage. Do not pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries and even seemingly harmless items that could be used as weapons. For a complete list of prohibited items, visit the Transportation Safety Administration's website. Quick tip: place all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
No. 7: ID your baggage, but don't lock it.
Place identification tags on the inside and outside of your baggage. Label your laptop computer as well. Laptops are the number one forgotten item at screening checkpoints. And don't lock your checked baggage. If security personnel need to check your baggage, they may have to break the lock to gain access. There are new locks on the market that only can be opened by the TSA. For more information, go to the TSA's website.
No. 6: Check in early.
You can check in for your flights online prior to departure. With American Airlines, you can check in 30 hours prior to departure on the AA.com® Flight Check-InSM Web page. You also can select seat assignments, as well as print boarding passes and your receipt. Also available online are automatic Flight Status Notification and gate/arrival time updates sent to your computer, phone or mobile phone. More than 90 percent of American's customers fly on electronic tickets.
No. 5: Arrive early at the airport; avoid the lines.
Think 60, 90, 120. Arrive 60 minutes before your flight if you are not checking any luggage, 90 minutes if you have luggage to check. For international flights, allow two hours. If you didn't check in online, you can go to the nearest AA Self-Service Check-In® machine to check in at the airport, make seat selections and print your boarding passes and your receipt, thus bypassing the potentially long lines at the ticket counters. Curbside check-in also is available in most airports. If you need wheelchair assistance, check with a skycap at curbside or with a ticket agent upon arrival.
No. 4: Dress for success to navigate security.
Metal may look cool to you, but the screening machines hate it. Avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Place your outer coat in a bin. Don't take wrapped presents to the airport. Ship them in advance or wrap them upon arrival.
No. 3: Don't forget your photo ID.
If you are over 18 years of age, you will need a photo ID. You must have your ID in hand at the security checkpoint and during the boarding process. Make sure the name on your ID matches the name on your boarding pass.
No. 2: Stay close to your departure gate.
Don't slip away to purchase a low-fat frozen yogurt with rainbow sprinkles when boarding begins. Board when your group number or row is called. Group or row numbers are printed on your boarding pass. You may be selected for additional screening during the boarding process.
No. 1: Relax and enjoy your flight to the vacation of your dreams.
After all, it's YOUR VACATION. You're supposed to relax. If you packed wisely, checked in early, arrived early at the airport, prepared yourself for a smooth security screening and boarded on time, you have virtually eliminated the stress that can be caused by travel procrastination. Congratulations. And have a nice flight.
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Copyright © American Airlines. American's award-winning website provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. AmericanAirlines, AAdvantage, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, AmericanAirlines Vacations, Flight Check-In and AA Self-Service Check-In are marks of American Airlines, Inc. American Airlines reserves the right to change the AAdvantage program rules without notice and to end the program upon six months notice. Reprinted with permission.
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