Although by many measures air travel today is cheaper and more efficient than ever, it is also fraught with pitfalls. Security at airports is tight, and the process often is time-consuming. Rate structures punish those who must reschedule flights, travel at the last minute, or check their baggage.
None of these issues is likely to disappear. Airlines gain needed revenue from baggage fees and change penalties. More efficient security screenings are promised, but are slow to arrive.
If these issues wind up costing you money, you might find yourself running up large expenses while attempting to pay the lowest airfares. It is likely circumstances beyond your control could cost you money that might have been diverted to more enjoyable expenditures.
Take a look at some tips for dealing with air travel challenges. Avoiding the pitfalls will put more money in your pocket, and perhaps save another precious commodity in the travel game -- your time.
Airport transportation usually involves surprise expenses. Travelers expect to pay for rides to airports or parking. The surprise comes in cost estimates, which are frequently underestimated. These costs involve investments of both time and money. A smart strategy minimizes or eliminates sometimes expensive parking costs. Even long-term parking tabs can be high for longer trips. Also important: steering clear of expensive taxis or airport limo services. Take a look at five considerations that could lower your airport transportation expenses.More »
Airport security checkpoints are both necessary and time-consuming. But many travelers compound the delays by showing up ill-prepared for the check. They'll try to carry on liquid containers that exceed security guidelines. They'll make people behind them wait as they slowly remove metal items such as belts and watches. These delays, when multiplied by thousands of travelers, can make those security lines longer and put some in jeopardy of missed flights. It pays to clear airport security quickly.More »
With those long security lines and more airport congestion than ever, missed flights become a risk. Unfortunately, rescheduling a flight often involves an expensive change fee. Sometimes, that next flight leaves on another day, requiring hotel and meal expenses that could have been avoided. Despite the negative outcomes, the situations triggered from missed flights can be managed. Did you know that under certain circumstances, some airlines will waive change fees for missed flights? It pays to think through a strategy for dealing with missed flights.More »
If you must check your luggage, take precautions to avoid problems if the bags are lost or damaged. It pays to know your rights, your protocols and the limits to which airlines adhere when reimbursing for losses. Learn how to cope with lost or damaged luggage.More »
It's easy to become frustrated and angry when an airline has lost your luggage, bumped you from a flight or caused irreparable harm to your travel plans. But it's important to avoid losing your temper, and channel your frustration into a methodical pursuit of relief. To do that, it's important to know how to complain. Are you aware of the channels you must follow to get refunds? Have you read your airline's contract of carriage? Take a look at some simple steps for complaining about travel problems.More »
Most of us examine our travel budgets for excessive hotel charges or dining costs. But some of the most expensive mistakes and damaging fees can be incurred at the airport, before your trip has begun to unfold. Airport food and car rentals generally are overpriced. The same is often said about parking and ground transportation. If you aren't thinking about how to avoid airport mistakes, you might be paying too much for your trip.More »
None of these issues is likely to disappear. Airlines gain needed revenue from baggage fees and change penalties. More efficient security screenings are promised, but are slow to arrive.
If these issues wind up costing you money, you might find yourself running up large expenses while attempting to pay the lowest airfares. It is likely circumstances beyond your control could cost you money that might have been diverted to more enjoyable expenditures.
Take a look at some tips for dealing with air travel challenges. Avoiding the pitfalls will put more money in your pocket, and perhaps save another precious commodity in the travel game -- your time.
How to Get Cheap Airport Transportation
Airport transportation usually involves surprise expenses. Travelers expect to pay for rides to airports or parking. The surprise comes in cost estimates, which are frequently underestimated. These costs involve investments of both time and money. A smart strategy minimizes or eliminates sometimes expensive parking costs. Even long-term parking tabs can be high for longer trips. Also important: steering clear of expensive taxis or airport limo services. Take a look at five considerations that could lower your airport transportation expenses.More »
How to Clear Airport Security Quickly
Airport security checkpoints are both necessary and time-consuming. But many travelers compound the delays by showing up ill-prepared for the check. They'll try to carry on liquid containers that exceed security guidelines. They'll make people behind them wait as they slowly remove metal items such as belts and watches. These delays, when multiplied by thousands of travelers, can make those security lines longer and put some in jeopardy of missed flights. It pays to clear airport security quickly.More »
How to Deal with a Missed Flight
With those long security lines and more airport congestion than ever, missed flights become a risk. Unfortunately, rescheduling a flight often involves an expensive change fee. Sometimes, that next flight leaves on another day, requiring hotel and meal expenses that could have been avoided. Despite the negative outcomes, the situations triggered from missed flights can be managed. Did you know that under certain circumstances, some airlines will waive change fees for missed flights? It pays to think through a strategy for dealing with missed flights.More »
How to Cope with Lost or Damaged Luggage
If you must check your luggage, take precautions to avoid problems if the bags are lost or damaged. It pays to know your rights, your protocols and the limits to which airlines adhere when reimbursing for losses. Learn how to cope with lost or damaged luggage.More »
How to Complain Effectively
It's easy to become frustrated and angry when an airline has lost your luggage, bumped you from a flight or caused irreparable harm to your travel plans. But it's important to avoid losing your temper, and channel your frustration into a methodical pursuit of relief. To do that, it's important to know how to complain. Are you aware of the channels you must follow to get refunds? Have you read your airline's contract of carriage? Take a look at some simple steps for complaining about travel problems.More »
How to Avoid Airport Mistakes
Most of us examine our travel budgets for excessive hotel charges or dining costs. But some of the most expensive mistakes and damaging fees can be incurred at the airport, before your trip has begun to unfold. Airport food and car rentals generally are overpriced. The same is often said about parking and ground transportation. If you aren't thinking about how to avoid airport mistakes, you might be paying too much for your trip.More »
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