Thanksgiving Day means family, football and enough food to loosen a belt notch or two. It also means long lines at the airport, expensive flights and the most hectic travel time of the year. Make the most of your miles, points and credit cards for a Thanksgiving that is heavy on the gravy, and light on the stress.
Here are some tips to help negotiate mayhem on your Thanksgiving adventure:
1. Last Minute Bookings. We can’t always be expected to plan ahead. But if you can, we suggest you do; some airlines open award seats a couple of weeks prior to departure. However, if you’re booking last-minute travel, all may not be lost!
Consider booking last-minute award flights on Alaska Airlines and American Airlines using British Airways Avios points. That’s because short-distance flights under 650 miles only cost 4,500 British Airways Avios points each way. And they do not charge a late booking fee like some other airlines.
Extending your vacation can make life a little easier. I know this may sound like a tip from Captain Obvious, but flying a few days before or flying back the weekend after will allow for more flight options.
If you are really in a snag, then you might consider paying more miles or points for award seats at the standard (rather than saver) level. Or use airlines like Southwest or JetBlue, where you can always find an award flight if there’s a seat for sale (but you’ll pay more miles and points, the more a flight costs!).
2. Pack Light, Pack Smart. Try to stick with a carry-on only. If you’re visiting relatives, consider packing items in a carry-on that will get you by for a couple of days, and doing laundry at their house. And some hotels have coin-operated laundry facilities. If you must check luggage, remember your cards may qualify you for a free checked bag!
3. Save Time at the Airport. Avoid long lines by making time to get to the airport early. You can use these apps to monitor your flight status:
No point rushing to the airport to discover you’ll have to sit for hours waiting for a delayed plane! If you have a credit card that reimburses you for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, it’s not too late to qualify for these time-saving programs, which help you speed through customs & immigration or airport security!
4. Perks Can Make Your Trip More Comfortable. If there’s any time to make the most of your credit card perks, holiday travel is it. Instead of vying for seats at the departure gate, paying extra for Wi-Fi or standing in line to buy a snack or beverage, you could relax in an airport lounge instead with complimentary lounge access.
Airport lounges generally offer free snacks, light meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, Wi-Fi, and a quiet, less hectic place to work or unwind. Most cards which offer free lounge access allow you to bring a companion or your immediate family for free. And many lounges have a children’s area with books and toys to keep the wee ones occupied.
In the event of a delay, it might even be worth paying a one-time fee to enter an airport lounge. Many lounges allow non-members to enter for a $50 charge. It could be worth paying for a relatively quiet spot, free food, and drinks.
If you’re not using a lounge, you might still qualify for free Boingo Wi-Fi from cards like the AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest or AMEX Platinum cards.
