5 tips to skip the holiday travel chaos

Record numbers of travelers are expected to hit the skies and roads this holiday season, with AAA forecasting nearly 80 million Americans traveling for the holidays – that’s 1.7 million more than last year.
 

Unless you’re planning to skip traveling this holiday season, you’ll need some smart planning tools and insider advice to navigate this season.

These five genius hacks will help you save money, avoid crowds, and actually enjoy your holiday journey.

1. Time your travel smartly

The latest data shows some clear winners and losers when it comes to holiday travel dates:

Best Days to Fly:

• Thanksgiving Day itself (November 28)
• Saturday before Thanksgiving (November 23)
• Tuesday after Thanksgiving (December 3)
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve

Days to Avoid:

• Wednesday before Thanksgiving (November 27)
• Sunday after Thanksgiving (December 1)
• December 20-23
• December 26-27
• December 30

Pro Tip: Flying on the actual holiday can save you up to 25% on ticket costs and you’ll encounter significantly smaller crowds.

2. Focus on family-friendly tricks

The holidays are all about family, but traveling with the crew requires extra strategy, like these:

• Split up to save – Airlines have limited seats at each price point, and booking half the family on one itinerary and half on another can help you save and hedges your bets against flight cancellations.
• Choose the airport wisely – Secondary, regional airports are often better for families; they have less crowded terminal areas and shorter security lines.
• Use this timing trick: Book flights between 10 am and 2 pm; they have fewer passengers and children are usually less tired and uncooperative – they may even nap!

Pro Tip: Many airlines still offer “family boarding” between Group A and B, even if it’s not advertised. Just ask at the gate, especially if traveling with children under 6.

3. Leverage tech tools

The travel tech landscape has evolved dramatically, and 2024’s holiday season brings new tools that can make your journey significantly smoother.

• Use FlightAware for real-time flight tracking and delay predictions
• Try Flighty for detailed flight alerts (worth the premium subscription during holidays)
• See Hopper’s Price Freeze feature to lock in fares while you decide
• Install the MyTSA app to check security line status and get weather delays at your airport
• Use Google maps to find restaurants in the airport
• Check the weather ahead of time to know what you’re facing

You can add a bag tracker to each bag, but many airlines now offer push notifications for checked bag status too.

Pro tip: Screenshot bag tag numbers and your bag so you can describe it to airline agents in case it’s delayed.

4. Plan for failure

Ever heard, “if you don’t plan for failure, you’re failing to plan?” That adage is even more true during the holiday travel season.

1. Start by understanding the new airline fee rules.
2. Get up to date on your passenger rights – they’ve changed recently.
3. Download the airline’s app to give you faster access to customer service.
4. Book directly with the airlines and not third-party sites.
5. Consider travel insurance that covers weather delays.

Finally, pack a delay kit that includes basic toiletries, a change of clothes for everyone, snacks, water bottles, and plenty of entertainment just in case.

5. Outsmart the holiday rush

Even with perfect planning, you’ll still face holiday crowds, but you can outsmart some of them.

• Add extra time and check the TSA wait times before leaving home.
• Reserve airport parking in advance, or schedule a ride share instead.
• Look up the less-crowded security checkpoints by searching for tips online.
• Ship gifts and liquids ahead of time so you don’t have to carry them.

By implementing these tricks, you’re already ahead of 90% of the stressed-out and rushed travelers. Timing is everything, technology is your friend, and a back-up plan is necessary.

Most important, keep a good handle on perspective. The holidays are about making memories with loved ones and often the snag in the road leads to unexpected stories you’ll tell for years to come.

Final tip: Sign up for the airline’s loyalty program even if you fly rarely. The airlines prioritize members during irregular situations and you’ll get support quicker if you need it.

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