How to make it through the airport while keeping your coins and your cool.
With spring right around the corner, it seems like everyone has the travel bug. Whether you’re planning for spring break or preparing for summer fun, here are 10 tips to get you through the airport like a pro.
Picture this: you have a tight layover, you’ve landed, deplaned, and run halfway across the airport only to find that your gate has changed. Downloading your carrier’s app can prevent this. You’ll also receive other pertinent travel details in real time. One of the most convenient features is the ability to check-in for your flight on your device. Gone are the days of keeping up with a paper boarding pass, just scan your device and go!
In case of emergency break glass…or in this case break out the paperback. While services like Netflix and Spotify allow you to download your favorite content for offline streaming, it’s important to keep in mind that you may need to reserve some battery power for arrival upon your destination. It’s also important to note that downloading large files can take up a significant amount of space on your phone, so you may want to consider using a tablet or laptop to store your content. You’ll find that most airports offer charging stations for your devices throughout the terminal and some planes offer charging capabilities as well, but don’t count on it. Finding a charging station can be tough, especially if you’re traveling during peak times. Play it safe when you travel and bring along a book or a magazine too, you’ll be glad you did!
Most carriers allow one carry on and one personal Item. If your trip is between 3 and 5 days, carry. it. on. Not only is checked luggage typically an additional fee, it’s not worth the hassle. Checked luggage can potentially get lost, and it happens more than you may think. Carry-on luggage means you’re off the plane and on your way to your destination as soon as you land. No waiting around in baggage claim.
This is required by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) if you’ll be traveling with a carry on. If you don’t have your favorite products in 3.4 Oz containers, don’t worry. Skip purchasing travel size beauty products and purchase reusable travel size containers instead. It’s an inexpensive way to travel with your favorite products.
Bonus: if you’re a fragrance lover and you’ll be traveling frequently, see if your favorite scent comes a in roll-on applicator. These bottles are typically 3 Oz or less. For less frequent travelers, swing by a beauty store, like Sephora, and ask for a sample of your favorite scent. If your favorite scent doesn’t come pre-packaged, they’ll fill a small bottle that’s the perfect size for a short trip!
Très chic when you’re running from gate A to G. Cozy and warm when you’re catching some in-flight Z’s. The blanket scarf is my go to carry-on accessory, and a winter travel must-have. It’s no secret that planes can be a bit breezy. After you’ve boarded, fold up your scarf and store it in the personal item that you’ll slip under the seat in front of you. If you get chilly, you’ll have easy access to your blanket scarf to bundle up.
Airport food is expensive. Airport everything is expensive. To be fair some airports are required by law to sell their goods for the same price you would find in the city, but it’s best to play it safe. Skip waiting in line for a stale sandwich with a side of airport markup and bring your own snacks. Keep in mind you can’t bring bottled water through the check point.
A bottle of water at the airport can cost nearly $6, and while you can’t bring your own water through security, you can bring an empty water bottle and fill it once you’ve made it through security. Be on the lookout for designated filling stations. A growing number of airports have begun to install bottle filling stations for travelers.
Celebrating something special? Skip purchasing an in-flight cranberry vodka and make your own! The 3.4 Oz bottle rule applies to alcohol as well. Most TSA safe wine and spirit bottles are about 1.7 Oz in size. Ask the flight attendant for your favorite complementary mixer, add in your liquor of choice, and voilà, in-flight cocktails for half the price! For comparison, in-flight cocktails typically range from $6-$8. Purchasing a 1.7 Oz bottle of wine or liquor beforehand is usually around $2.
If you booked a window seat but prefer an aisle seat or visa-versa, ask your gate agent if your preference is available. Be sure to smile. You may also be able to volunteer for an exit row seat if a spacious alternative is your objective.
Particularity your personal item. Store anything you may need mid-flight in the personal item that you’ll keep under the seat in front of you. This can include snacks, headphones, magazines, and chargers. Avoid crawling over fellow passengers to get to luggage stored in the overhead-bin. Because items can shift mid-flight, it’s not only a hassle, it can be dangerous. Comment ‘carry on-club’ if you want to see an in-depth review on what I keep in my carry on!
Anything I missed? Let me know and share your favorite airport and travel hacks below!
Until next time… Be thrifty and travel like a pro.
Ashley
October 10, 2018See…this is the content I needed. Things I never even thought about (HELLO, LET’S GET THIS LIQUOR) are about to go into my travel arsenal and #CarryOnCrew for life!
AllieBe
November 13, 2018#CarryonCrew is the ONLY crew! I’ll keep the tips and tricks coming! 😉