 Flight delays and cancellations are just a part of flying, so occasionally travelers will find themselves stranded in airports for hours and sometimes days. Even when flights are on time, long layovers are common, especially when traveling internationally. If you hate the thought of being stuck in the airport, these tips will help. Major airports have come a long way in recent years when it comes to food and fun for their guests.
Do your homework before being stranded. Check out both domestic and international airport guides at www.worldtravelguide.net andwww.airwise.com/airports. Also, individual airport websites usually feature maps and special events calendars. Take a walk and go exploring. Choose rolling carry-on bags or a backpack that leaves hands free. Airport lockers, once banned following the terrorist threats of 2001, are making a comeback at major airports. You don't have to pass the time sitting at your gate. Treat yourself to a massage or manicure. Spa services are a growing trend in major U.S. airports. A visit to a spa can be a great alternative to sitting in a food court, a crowded gate area, or even an airport lounge. Escape the crowds. Airline VIP lounges offer a soothing experience with amenities like complimentary cocktails, snacks, large-screen tvs, personal flight assistance, and a wide range of newspapers and magazines. Although annual memberships can exceed $400, many airlines offer day passes ranging from $25-$50. Work off travel stress. Health trends have started showing up at airports. Yoga rooms and walking tracks have opened at airports around the U.S. over the past few years, and healthier food options are also easier to find in airports now. Some airports even have airport playgrounds for the kids. Look at artwork. Artwork is becoming a big part of interior design at U.S. airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International features more than 300 pieces of art ranging from paintings to sculptures throughout the airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor International boasts 500 art offerings. Catch up on business. Business centers in many airports feature notaries, fax machines, and copier services. Use the free wi-fi for your laptop or head for airport internet kiosks. Data ports are available in virtually every airport. Create your own entertainment. Before you leave home, download some movies to your phone or tablet to watch while you wait, listen to a podcast, or listen to your favorite music. Another idea is to bring along that novel you've been wanting to read or a stack of magazines. What's your favorite way to spend time at an airport? Work off travel stress. Health trends have started showing up at airports. Yoga rooms and walking tracks have opened at airports around the U.S. over the past few years, and healthier food options are also easier to find in airports now. Some airports even have airport playgrounds for the kids. Look at artwork. Artwork is becoming a big part of interior design at U.S. airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International features more than 300 pieces of art ranging from paintings to sculptures throughout the airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor International boasts 500 art offerings. Catch up on business. Business centers in many airports feature notaries, fax machines, and copier services. Use the free wi-fi for your laptop or head for airport internet kiosks. Data ports are available in virtually every airport. Create your own entertainment. Before you leave home, download some movies to your phone or tablet to watch while you wait, listen to a podcast, or listen to your favorite music. Another idea is to bring along that novel you've been wanting to read or a stack of magazines. What's your favorite way to spend time at an airport? Work off travel stress. Health trends have started showing up at airports. Yoga rooms and walking tracks have opened at airports around the U.S. over the past few years, and healthier food options are also easier to find in airports now. Some airports even have airport playgrounds for the kids. Look at artwork. Artwork is becoming a big part of interior design at U.S. airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International features more than 300 pieces of art ranging from paintings to sculptures throughout the airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor International boasts 500 art offerings. Catch up on business. Business centers in many airports feature notaries, fax machines, and copier services. Use the free wi-fi for your laptop or head for airport internet kiosks. Data ports are available in virtually every airport. Create your own entertainment. Before you leave home, download some movies to your phone or tablet to watch while you wait, listen to a podcast, or listen to your favorite music. Another idea is to bring along that novel you've been wanting to read or a stack of magazines. What's your favorite way to spend time at an airport? Work off travel stress. Health trends have started showing up at airports. Yoga rooms and walking tracks have opened at airports around the U.S. over the past few years, and healthier food options are also easier to find in airports now. Some airports even have airport playgrounds for the kids. Look at artwork. Artwork is becoming a big part of interior design at U.S. airports. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International features more than 300 pieces of art ranging from paintings to sculptures throughout the airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor International boasts 500 art offerings. Catch up on business. Business centers in many airports feature notaries, fax machines, and copier services. Use the free wi-fi for your laptop or head for airport internet kiosks. Data ports are available in virtually every airport. Create your own entertainment. Before you leave home, download some movies to your phone or tablet to watch while you wait, listen to a podcast, or listen to your favorite music. Another idea is to bring along that novel you've been wanting to read or a stack of magazines. What's your favorite way to spend time at an airport?
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 How willing are you to travel during hurricane season? If you decide to take a risk on the less predictable weather during this time, you can find some great deals out there! Here are some ways you can take advantage of the savings and be prepared for the weather.
1. Don't let the weather stop you Hurricane season is from June through November, but the chances of a storm hitting exactly where you are on the exact date you are traveling are very low. If the airline or cruise ship cancels, you will get a refund. 2. Consider a cruise There are great deals on cruises during hurricane season. If you are cruising, and a hurricane is approaching, the crew has fair warning, and can easily divert the ship and head out to sea. 3. Get the right travel insurance There are many types of policies, and each involves different amounts of risk. Some pay travelers in cash and some in future travel credits; some pay only if the trip is canceled by the supplier or if a storm is named, not if the traveler is just afraid to go because a storm is headed their way. For total peace of mind, you can purchase a "cancel for any reason" policy. Read the fine print on your insurance policy and make sure you understand what is covered and what is not. 4. Be flexible Be prepared for change and do not let it ruin your trip. On a cruise, for example, the captain will make port changes based on safety. These will vary by trip, but any change is to keep the passengers and crew safe. 5. Factor in buffer time Plan an extra day or two at the end of the trip, just in case weather does affect your trip. You don't want the most important business event of your life or a child's wedding to be missed because you are delayed. Think about where you park your car also. Many cruisers returned to Florida to find their cars under water in last year's flooding, because off-site locations are usually ground floor. Pay the extra money and book the on-site garage on a higher level, just as an extra precaution. 6. Take some extra items Be prepared for an additional travel day or two by bringing extra clothes and medication in case you get delayed flying home. Also keep your iPad, phone charger, medication, and other essentials in your carry-on just in case you and your checked bag become separated. If you are traveling with a companion or a child, put one or two outfits of each person's clothing in each checked bag, so you both have something to wear if one bag gets lost. 7. Use a travel advisor A travel advisor can provide some extra clout just in case things go wrong. You will find the same prices, and a well-connected travel advisor will book you with reputable companies, which will make a big difference in how you are treated. |
AuthorAnn Jones, CTC, MCC Archives
February 2019
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