- Bring your own headphones- Most airlines charge between $3-5 for their headphones that are uncomfortable and fall out of your ears. Many planes use 2.5mm jacks to allow you to watch movies or use the in-flight entertainment. Grab a pair and throw them in the personal item you’re bringing onboard.
2. Bring an empty water bottle- Airports charge an unheard of amount for water and snacks because they know you cannot bring more than 3oz of liquid in your carry-on. Bring an empty water bottle and fill it once you’re in the terminal, and don’t forget to bring your own snacks from home.
3. Book your flights on a Tuesday or a Wednesday for better deals- You will save an average of $73 by booking on these days and traveling on Thursday and Fridays. Plan your vacation accordingly.
4. Check the weight of the bags you’re going to check before you leave home- If your bag is a couple of pounds over the weight limit, prices to check skyrocket. Save money by ensuring you are under your airline’s maximum weight.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for a free upgrade- Especially if you’re traveling on a special occasion (honeymoon, anniversary etc.) don’t be afraid to go to the desk and ask if there is any chance of getting a free upgrade! The most they can say is no and it never hurts to ask. NOTE: If you are blessed with a free upgrade, don’t go bragging about it on the plane, people will complain and it’ll stop them from doing it for someone else in the future!
6. When entering the security line, head to the left checkpoint- People are prone to going to their right when entering an area, head the farthest left that you can go and you will likely save time in line..
7. Don’t forget your portable phone charger- and when you’re charging at the airport, be sure to charge your charger and not your device, no chances of being hacked of personal information this way.
8. Bring wet wipes and hand sanitizer- wiping down the area where you will be sitting when you board the plane can help make sure you aren’t spending your vacation with a cold, the flu or a fever.
9. Hate Turbulence?– Book a morning flight. Although it may not eliminate it altogether, your chance of turbulence is less than on afternoon or evening flights.
10. Check-In online 24 hours prior to your flight- this will save you lots of time in the airport and allow you to head straight to security and check your bags outside at the terminal.
11. Challenge yourself to pack your entire trip in your carry-on- checking bags is costly these days, anywhere between $30-80 to check a bag. If you can get everything on your carry on it’s a great way to save money. Can’t make it happen? At least pack everyone’s clothes into one piece of luggage to avoid checking more than one.
12. Check your flight status before heading to the airport- you already have to be there between 2-3 hours early, don’t wait until you get there to find out your flight has been delayed 2 hours.
13. Pack your liquids and electronic devices at the TOP of your carry on bag– it’s inevitable, you’re going to have to remove them when you go through security so make it easier and quicker for yourself and those behind you.
14. Don’t be the first on board- when I go to the airport I see everyone rush to be first in line to board the plane. Seats are assigned…there’s no fire and no benefit of being on board quicker, the plane isn’t going anywhere.
15. Avoid jet lag- if your flight is more than 5 hours, it’s time to wear those compression socks!- Even if you have no circulation issues, compression socks will help prevent blood from pooling in your feet and keep it circulating back to your heart which will help to avoid the miserable symptoms that can be seen with jet lag.
16. Want more leg room and NOT to sit next to a crying baby or squirmy child?- Take the seat near the emergency exit. Kids are not allowed to sit there and there is considerably more leg room, especially in the second emergency exit row.
17. If you know you’re going to want to indulge in alcoholic beverages on the plane, bring your own nips!- You can bring liquids of up to 3oz on the plane in your carry-on. Just be sure they are packaged in sealed ziploc bags as mandated by the airlines. Then your complimentary soda or juice becomes a money saving cocktail!
18. Tear up your plane tickets and boarding passes after each flight- the barcodes on these documents contain personal information.
19. Always pack important medication in your carry-on- if your luggage is lost or late, you will want to make sure you have your daily medication in your possession. Never pack them in a checked bag.
20. Turn on “private browsing” when searching for flights- Flipping on “Incognito Mode” (Chrome) or searching from a “Private Browser” might seem a little strange for something as innocuous as booking a flight, but it might be able to save you money. If your browser uses cookies, you might get directed to search results that are higher-priced. Thwart that techie system by going Incognito to book.
