10 Travel Tips to Save Money, Time and Hassle

The Guardian (U.K.) recently shared a brilliant travel horror story about a man who, upon racing to make a flight connection, was told he could not board the plane because his flight was delayed. Not the flight he was attempting to catch — the flight he had just completed. “I’m sorry sir, that flight has been delayed,” the agent said. “You won’t make the connection.” “But I made the connection — I’m here,” the traveler explained. “But you cannot be,” the agent insisted. He missed his flight. The moral of the story: travel can be a real pain in the connection. Here are some of our favorite tips to help you save time, money and trouble when you’re on the road. 1. Save Cash: Book on the weekend, travel during the week. Planning a trip? Find the cheapest prices on flights by booking on a Saturday or Sunday. Plan to depart midweek. “Airlines are more likely to post discounted airfares on Saturday and Sunday, and rates are at least five percent cheaper than those who book during the week,” Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, says. “Days of the week absolutely make a difference when it comes to what day you’re flying – with Tuesdays and Wednesdays being the least expensive for trips within the U.S.” ONLINE ADVANTAGE: Bookmark AirfareWatchdog.com, one of the best sites for news and info on cheap flights, travel trends and news from the airlines. You can simultaneously search up to seven of the most popular airline discount sites for the best deals on flights, and access several carrier sites directly, as well. Follow along on Twitter at @airfarewatchdog for breaking news on bargains, too. Expert travelers say… TRAVEL DURING ‘SHOULDER SEASON.’ Shoulder season is “tucked between the high prices of peak season and the lousy weather of the low season,” Ann Shields of Travel and Leisure Magazine explains. Think autumn in London or late spring skiing – not perfect, but the deals are better and destinations less crowded. 2. Pack Smart: Think like a flight attendant. Who travels more than flight attendants? Not you, that’s for sure. David Antholtz of The New York Times reports that flight attendant Heather Poole can travel for 10 days using a single carry-on bag that includes three pairs of shoes, three pairs of dress pants, three pairs of jeans, a skirt, three bathing suits, a sarong, three light sweaters, four dresses, 10 casual shirts, six dress shirts, a clutch, toiletries and two pairs of shoes. Nicely done. Expert travelers say… PACK LIKE A FLY GUY. Jay, the self-proclaimed International Fly Guy, blogs that his travel bag consists of healthy snacks, a camera, his passport, wallet, notepad and pen, a book, a flashlight, change, his iPad, iPhone and iPod and a sweater. Obviously, this bag is with him at all times. 3. Pack Smart: Avoid Messes. One of the worst travel surprises comes when you open your suitcase to find that your shampoo, hair spray or other toiletries popped open in transit. Place plastic wrap under the caps to prevent leaks regardless of how much your suitcase is tossed around during the trip. Expert travelers say… BE SMART WITH YOUR LUGGAGE. Read about Schapelle Corby, an Australian woman who served hard prison time after drugs were stashed in her luggage. Phil Sylvester of World Nomads recommends packing and carrying your own bag, zip-tying your bag shut, purchasing travel insurance and always keeping your bags in view. 4. Save Time: Know how to find the shortest security lines. According to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Americans are more likely to turn right than left when entering a building. Who knew? Lines to the left may be shorter, so be sure to look in that direction first when you’re choosing which security queue to use. Expert travelers say… SPEED THROUGH SECURITY. 50 airports across the U.S. now have security lines split into expert, casual and family travelers — try the expert line to pass through quickly. 5. Save Hassle: Bookmark travel websites, program airline contact numbers into your phone. Do you have questions about checked luggage? Time of flight? Concerns about a delay or cancellation? You never know what can happen – so make sure you’re prepared. Some airlines across the U.S. are available 24/7. Download your airline’s app or program your airline’s telephone number into your mobile phone so you know exactly where to turn with any questions or concerns. Expert travelers say… GET A FLU SHOT. Some airports offer flu shots to travelers, and Uber users in select cities can take the needle on the cab ride to the terminal. Afraid of Ebola? Doctors recommend a flu shot – it lowers the likelihood that flulike symptoms will spark an Ebola panic. 6. Save Time: Go collapsible. A never-ending conundrum for business travelers: packing neatly pressed clothes into your suitcase, only to find them wrinkled when you’re unpacking them. Do you re-iron in your room, wasting time or risking the dangers of shoddy (or no) ironing equipment? Send them to the hotel laundry, and explain the hefty extra charge on your bill to your boss? Try collapsible shelves-to-go instead. Pack your shelves at home, then lift and gently collapse into your suitcase. Kiss wrinkle woes goodbye! Looks like someone just earned a trip to the hotel bar. Expert travelers say… PLASTIC’S FANTASTIC. The editors at Fodor’s are enthusiastic about plastic as a wrinkle remedy, writing “…friction causes wrinkling, plastic reduces friction. It’s that easy.” Use dry-cleaner bags in the suitcase, and all hanger items should be bagged individually. 7. Save Cash: Tote your finds. Go a little crazy with your credit card? If your new items can be carried on, why spend the money on overweight baggage or shipping your new purchases home? Stop at a discount clothing shop and purchase a tote bag that allows you to simply carry your souvenirs onto the plane. Chances are the bag will be cheaper than the $50 to $150 fee (or more) that many airlines charge for additional baggage. Expert travelers say… CHECK BAGS PLANE-SIDE. Oftentimes you can check a carry-on bag at the gate for free before boarding a flight – in fact, some airlines encourage this. However, you may enrage your fellow travelers when you steal huge swaths of overhead bin territory if you can’t check your bag. 8. Stay Organized: Use ice buckets – for anything. Huge pet peeve – the surface areas in your hotel room immediately get covered with all of your loose change, snacks, receipts, hotel swipe cards and more. So messy! Look no further than your ice bucket for a solution. Group similar items like toiletries or snacks and stash them in the unused bucket to help keep everything in one space. Don’t forget to use the provided plastic liner to keep it as clean as possible. Expert travelers say… POLISH YOUR SHOES WITH HOTEL MOISTURIZER. Great idea from Liz Fleming of The Loop – if you don’t have shoe polish on hand (and really, who travels with shoe polish?), a dab of moisturizer from the single-serve bottles in your hotel bathroom will put give your shoe leather some luster. 9. Stay Organized: Replace what you forgot. Forget something important? Check with the front desk – and if they don’t have what you need, ask them to check their lost-and-found (this applies to phone chargers, not toothbrushes, of course). If the staff can’t help, take a look around your room. Your TV’s USB port, for example, can solve all of your charger-less problems. Expert travelers say… TAKE STUFF. SERIOUSLY. According to Moneycrashers.com, there are a bevy of items you can help yourself to in your hotel room, including toiletries, magazines and newspapers, stationery, coffee, tea and snacks and even the garbage liners. Hey, you’re paying for all of it! 10. Stay Organized: Use the shoe-in-the-safe trick The last thing you want to do is forget something valuable on your trip. When you first arrive in the hotel, place one of your shoes on (or in) the hotel room safe. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder to double-check for your valuables. You won’t ever leave anything behind again. Expert travelers say… MAKE COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS. Detective Kevin Coffey recommends photocopying your passport, credit cards, airline tickets and any other important documents you may carry on your trip. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use the copies – but if you need them, you will be relieved to have them.

10 Travel Tips to Save Money, Time and Hassle

8. Stay Organized: Use ice buckets – for anything.

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Molli Spear

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10 Travel Tips to Save Money, Time and Hassle

8. Stay Organized: Use ice buckets – for anything.

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About the Author

Molli Spear

Pin It on Pinterest