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Tips for Traveling During the Holidays

Holidays can be a stressful time to travel. Airlines are more likely to have delays, weather and traffic can be horrible and emotions tend to run high. But there are some holiday travel tips to make your journeys a bit easier.

Holiday Travel Tips for Gifts
Any holiday that requires you to bring gifts can cause extra problems with luggage and airport security. To keep the hassle of traveling with gifts during the holidays to a minimum, follow these tips:

• Consider shipping gifts ahead of time.
• Do not wrap your gifts before traveling, as airport security might make you unwrap them.
• Pack collapsible gift bags so that you can instantly wrap your gifts when you arrive at your destination.

Holiday Travel Tips for Flying
Here are a few holiday travel tips for those who will be flying to their destinations:

• Airlines are competing for your dollars during the holidays, so shop around to make sure you get the best prices.
  
• Airplanes can be cold, so it's good to pack a comfortable sweater to wear while on board.
  
• Check alternate airports and not just the main city hubs to save money on holiday travel tickets. Flights at these airports may be cheaper, and the airports will often be less crowded.
  
• Don't forget to pack snacks for you to munch on while waiting at the airport and while flying. This holiday travel tip is especially important if you will be traveling with children.
  
• Do not put your home address on your luggage tags. Savvy thieves patrol airports looking for the addresses of anyone leaving town. Use either a business address or post office box instead.
  
• If at all possible, try to avoid booking connecting flights in order to reduce stress. However, if you must connect, make sure to leave plenty of time between flights so you won't miss your connecting flight if your first flight happens to be delayed.
  
• If you can, consider flying on the actual day of the holiday. Prices will generally be lower, and the crowds will be far smaller.
  
• Make sure you have extra batteries for any electronic items, or that all of your batteries are fully charged.
  
• The extra crowds at the airport during the holidays can mean possible delays and longer lines at check-in counters and security checkpoints. A great way to reduce stress during holiday travel is to check in online before you leave home. Many airlines offer this option, even if you will be checking bags at the airport.
  
• To make your life at airport security easier, wear shoes that can easily slip on and off. Empty your pockets ahead of time, and try not to wear anything metallic (such as belts) or too much jewelry.

Holiday Travel Insurance
You may want to purchase holiday travel insurance, you should consider several things first. First, do you want insurance solely for this one trip, or would it be more cost-effective to buy annual travel insurance? Your answer to this question will depend on the overall cost of your trip and how much you travel each year. Generally, if you're going to travel more than once per year, it's better to buy annual coverage.

Next, see if the price of the plan is a percentage of the total cost of your trip or a flat fee. Again, you will want to choose the holiday travel insurance option that works best for you. It's also a good idea to examine the rating of the insurance company before buying holiday travel insurance. You'll want to make sure that you are working with a respectable company.

Different holiday travel insurance plans offer different benefits, ranging from evacuation insurance due to illness or catastrophe to protecting your luggage if it gets lost or even delayed. Some holiday travel insurance covers the cost of canceling your trip, and some offer health and dental insurance as well.

Beware of any possible exemptions in the plans. Certain activities, such as skiing, scuba diving or horseback riding, may not be covered in your holiday travel insurance plan.

Overall Holiday Travel Tips
Anything you can do to minimize stress will make your experience more enjoyable. If possible, travel only with carry-on luggage, leave yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and bring along plenty of activities to keep busy.

Above all, remember that you are taking a holiday, so make sure to relax and have fun!