Tips and Tricks for Traveling Over a Holiday [To Keep You Sane]

Traveling during the holidays can be equal parts exciting and stressful. It’s one of the busiest travel seasons of the year — when airports are packed with people heading home to see family, chasing warmer weather, or ringing in the new year somewhere special.

With winter storms and crowded airports in the mix, the chances of delays or cancellations are higher than usual. That’s why having a few smart strategies can make all the difference.

In this guide, we’ll share practical tips to help you fly and stay at hotels with less stress — and make the most of your holiday travels from start to finish.

Tips and Tricks for Holiday Travel

Stuck at the Airport? Head to the Lounge

When a flight gets canceled, most travelers do the same thing — rush to the service desk or grab their phones to call the airline. If you do either of these things, expect a long wait, as everyone else will have the same idea.

What you can do instead when your flight gets canceled or delayed is use the customer service agents in an airline’s club or lounge to rebook you. There’s often little to no line in the airline’s lounge, and you can snag seats on alternate flights much more quickly than those trying to wait in line to speak with someone at the generic customer service desk.

You can pay to access to the lounges, have a membership, use an eligible credit card, or be booked in premium class in some cases, so it pays to see which way to access the lounge makes the most sense for you.

You can pay for lounge entry, use a membership like Priority Pass, or access lounges through an eligible credit card — many premium and travel rewards cards now include this perk. You might already have access without realizing it, so it’s worth checking your card benefits before you head to the airport.

Hot Tip:

During the hectic holiday travel season, it’s a good idea to book a backup flight using points or miles. Most award bookings can be canceled for free or with minimal fees, so you’ll have a safety net if your original plans go sideways.

Don’t Check a Bag

This tip is valid all year long, but as many once-a-year flyers trek home or to friends and family, it’s a busy season to check bags. You don’t want your bag to get lost, and you would rather not wait a lengthy time at baggage claim to retrieve it, so don’t check your bag.

When preparing for a flight, leave all of your liquids and gel-like foods at home so you can breeze through the airport and switch flights easily, since you won’t have to worry about checked bags.

If you are going to check a bag, consider using an Apple AirTag to track your bags throughout your entire journey. Some airlines use this technology to track bags more quickly when they go missing, so be sure to put a tag in every bag you’re checking and in carry-on bags, in case those accidentally get misplaced.

Pack Smart

Make sure you’re smart in packing what you take on board. Keep those items that you want handy during the flight in an accessible pocket.

Ensure your carry-on bag meets size requirements and that it will fit in the overhead bin. If your flight is full, you may be asked to place your personal item under your seat, so ensure you have a sturdy backpack or another bag that you can easily reach for things during the flight. 

Speed Through Security With TSA PreCheck or CLEAR

The holiday season means longer security lines packed with travelers. Consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck, which lets you breeze through an expedited screening lane without removing your shoes, laptop, or other electronics.

CLEAR can also speed you through the identification check before walking through the metal detector. Combined, CLEAR and TSA PreCheck will help you get to your gate faster.

Many credit cards offer complimentary TSA PreCheck or Global Entry simply for being a cardmember, allowing you to speed through security and save time.

Consider Flying Into Smaller Airports

While sometimes it can be more expensive, flying into a smaller airport closer to your final destination may be worth it — smaller airports usually have shorter security waits, a quicker check-in process, and fewer gates to navigate.

For example, if you’re heading to Santa Barbara, California, don’t fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and make the 2-hour drive up — fly directly into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). The same goes for Palm Springs — the 2-hour drive in traffic from Los Angeles is a nightmare. Fly to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) if possible for a more efficient experience.

We’ve even done a study on the best and worst U.S. airports so you can minimize delays.

Hot Tip:

Priority Pass offers a network of lounges that you can visit regardless of which airline you fly. This is great if you don’t have a dedicated airline. Even better, you can get a credit card for Priority Pass access.

Pick Your Travel Days Wisely

Contrary to what you might think, a major holiday itself is actually a relatively good day to fly. In the case of Christmas, you can fly on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and enjoy cheaper tickets and plenty of seats on board.

Keep in mind, though, that if January 1 falls in the middle of the week, you may see lots of travelers flying on that day specifically to try to be able to get back to work on January 2.

If you have to fly on a holiday, the price can vary depending on the departure time. If you’re flying on Thanksgiving Day, for example, U.S. flights in the morning will be much more expensive than flights departing during the evening (when most Americans are enjoying their turkey dinner).

If you’re flying back on New Year’s Day, flights in the morning will be significantly cheaper, as people tend to avoid waking up early to travel.

Get to Your Gate Early

If your flight is busy, the gate area will be as well. Remember, all the people boarding your flight are competing for the same, limited overhead bin space. The earlier you get to the gate area, the sooner you may be able to board the plane and have your bag stowed. 

If you’re the type of person who wants to ensure there’s room in the overhead bin for your bags, consider purchasing a priority boarding group.

Avoid Basic Economy Fares

Basic economy fares are the cheapest tickets airlines sell — and for good reason. They’re bare-bones options that often exclude seat selection, upgrades, and even full-sized carry-on bags. Passengers usually board last and get the fewest perks.

While the price may look tempting, these fares can quickly add stress — and extra costs. You might have to pay for a seat assignment, checked bags, or risk being separated from friends or family. And if your flight is delayed or canceled, basic economy travelers are typically last in line to be rebooked.

In short, what looks like a deal upfront can easily turn into a headache. Spend a little more for a standard economy ticket if you can — it’s usually worth it.

Book Earlier Flights When You Can

It might sound simple, but try to avoid booking the last flight of the day. If the weather rolls in or there’s a delay, you could end up stuck overnight. Flying out earlier gives you a buffer — and more options — if things don’t go as planned.

Check In Online

Before your departure, check in online to avoid waiting in queues at the airport. If you’re checking bags, you may be able to use a kiosk to print your baggage tags so that you don’t have to speak with a human.

Additionally, most airlines allow you to access your boarding pass either on your phone or to print it at home, providing alternative ways to save time at the airport.

Know Your Fees

Airlines and hotels often tack on extra fees — from seat assignments and checked bags to onboard snacks and resort fees. Do a little homework before you travel so you know what to expect and can avoid surprises. Some credit cards even help offset these costs; for example, The Platinum Card^® from American Express offers up to $200 in annual airline incidental credits.

Look Beyond the City Center

The best savings on hotels can be found in those that aren’t right in the center of activity. For example, if you’re visiting New York City and want to stay in Times Square, the rates for hotels in that area will typically be astronomically expensive. But a hotel near Herald Square or Wall Street, for example, might be considerably cheaper and only a short walk or subway ride away. Sometimes hotel rates can drop at the last minute, too, so be sure to check your rates again closer to arrival.

Bring Entertainment

While many airlines offer in-flight entertainment, there are plenty (if not more) that don’t, so you should make sure to load up your tablet or laptop before you board. That way, you’ve got shows and movies to keep you (and your kids) occupied for hours. Be sure these devices are fully charged, too, since planes’ power systems don’t always work!

Avoid disappointment and don’t rely on a plane’s Wi-Fi — it can be out of service or too slow to stream videos.

Download the Airline or Hotel App

It’s important to download your airline or hotel’s app before traveling. These apps have useful features that can make your trip smoother. An airline app can tell you if your flight is delayed, oversold, or boarding.

A hotel app can show you potential upgrades and what room you’ve been assigned, and offer mobile check-in options that allow you to skip the front desk completely.

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is full of joy — from family reunions and warm-weather getaways to end-of-year business trips. Don’t let airport chaos be the thing that derails it. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your travels smooth — and your holiday memories happy.

No matter where your holiday travels take you, these tips can help you stay calm, prepared, and maybe even enjoy the journey. For even more ways to make the most of the busy season, check out our complete guide to holiday travel tips.