Plan Your Meetings

Jeff Boyd, president of Luggage Free baggage shipping company, has some tips on how to minimize travel-related stress this holiday season:

1. Avoid busy travel days. “If possible, the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the day before Christmas should be avoided,” Boyd says. “If you are flexible and have room to maneuver, avoiding these heavily-traveled days can save you a lot of headaches.”
2. Use smaller airports. “By using less-traveled gateways, you can score on all fronts — from parking, rental cars, security lines and even traffic to and from nearby hotels. This will all save you time and money.”
3. Ship your luggage ahead. “Travelers can avoid all the inconveniences of carrying, checking and claiming bags by shipping ahead.” Shipping services can send luggage to and from your final destination for as little as $1.50/lb.
4. Grab a good seat. “Web sites such as SeatGuru.com outline each seat on most major airline planes, giving you inside information on things such as extra legroom and proximity to power outlets.”
5. Invoke the 240 rule. “For any reason other than weather, under Rule 240, your [airline] ticket can be endorsed over to the next available flight, even if it’s with a competing airline.” Ask ticketing agents to invoke the rule if your flight is cancelled or delayed.
6. Book an early morning flight. Boyd points out, “Statistics show that early morning flights have a better on-time performance than any other flights throughout the day. Booking your flight as early as possible will dramatically reduce your chances of experiencing delays or cancellations.”