Five Top Travel Tips for Airline Travel

Our friends from Holiday Extras have helped us to build a list with five essential things you should always keep in mind when planning an airline trip, especially if you’re not a full-time traveler.
It’s quite often that these simple yet essential details make the difference between an experienced and a first-time airline traveler: the difference may consist of extra charges on airport parking, accommodation and luggage weight as well as extra hours spent at customs for the inexperienced traveler.

Tip Number One: utilize airport parking whenever possible. It may seem like a no-brainer but airport parking can be a life saver. Heathrow Airport Parking for example, has a wide variety of options from short stay, to meet and greet to long term parking. All provide a safe, secure environment for your vehicle while you hop aboard a plane. No need to rely on friends or public transportation to ensure that you don’t miss your flight.

Tip Number Two: customs and security are facts of life these days. There are a few simple steps that you can follow to make it a seamless experience. First, make sure that you have all your documents and forms in order and filled out. Second, be nice and polite, there’s no need to be rude, it just tends to make the customs officer wary of you. And third, before you travel anywhere make sure you check out the appropriate government websites to find out what is and isn’t allowed to be brought into or out of the country.

Tip Number Three: sometimes stopping over a night at an airport hotel can be just the rest that you need. If you are flying in or out of Stansted Airport for example, be sure to stop over at one of the Stansted airport hotels. It is a wonderful way to recuperate after a long business or pleasure vacation.

Tip Number Four: luggage. Most airlines now charge for extra luggage and weight is also a factor. Before traveling, be sure to verify how many free bags you are allowed to check in and to carry on the flight. Verify the weight that is allowed for each bag, there’s no need to be caught at the airport having to shell out extra cash if it isn’t necessary. Also, always make sure that your name and address are somewhere on your bags if they are checked. It can go a long way to ensuring they end up with you if they get lost while connecting to a second flight.

Tip Number Five: plan ahead and purchase trip insurance. Many airlines offer the option of trip insurance when you purchase a ticket. Even if there are no storm clouds on the horizon, get the insurance: it might make the cost of flying a little higher, but if something unexpected happens, you are at least guaranteed to get most if not all of your money back.

If you find the list useful, don’t be shy: bookmark this page and share it with other fellow travelers.