By Mike Gincel, Staff Writer
It’s that time again, Saint Leo students. It is time to figure out how to get home for the holidays and how to do it for the lowest price possible. What is the best way to find the lowest price possible if you are a domestic or international student? On top of that, how in the world does one get through the airport during one of the busiest times of the year? Well, fear no more. With a little planning, organization, and some good advice, travel problems will become a thing of the past. When booking a flight, it is very important to follow these few tips:
Make sure to have the correct dates and times so that they do not conflict with any final exams. This is very important as airlines charge fees for changing flight plans. . Booking a flight ahead of time usually ensures good deals.
Choose early morning or late night flights. These flights tend to be cheaper and the planes are usually less crowded than afternoon flights. Try to fly either early morning or fly after 5 pm. For example, a flight from Tampa to Philadelphia on Southwest during the winter break dates of 12/7 and 1/7 has a $40 difference between the first flight out that day and a flight in the afternoon.
Do not be loyal to certain airports or airlines. If you live near a major city, such as New York City or Chicago, then be sure to scout the airports in the area. For New York City, try Newark Airport, LaGuardia, Philadelphia, and John F. Kennedy airports. Sometimes there are better deals are at other airports in the area. Also, check to see which airlines have hubs in those cities. Hubs are when that airline is one of the major airlines in that city and have many flights in and out daily. For example, US Airways and Southwest are hubs in Philadelphia. These airlines generally provide cheaper alternatives since they have multiple daily flights to and from destinations.
Try to book a flight with a layover. Although non-stop flights are easier and will get you home quicker, they are more expensive. Sometimes having a layover for an hour or so in an airport to save some money is a wise investment. Be sure to leave yourself at least one or two hours in the layover city so that you can get to your gate and ensure that your bags make the flight.
Deciding whether to check bags or carry them on can be tough. This decision is difficult because every airline has different regulations and pricing. If making a trip home for a month, it is standard to check one bag in. . Trying to fit a month’s worth of clothes in a carry-on bag can be difficult, but this option is the cheaper alternative. If checking bags is a must, try to use an airline that does not charge for it. Airlines such as Southwest and JetBlue do not charge for checking bags.
Now that a flight home is booked, what about surviving the airport? The airport can be quite frustrating, especially when on a tight schedule. Here are some of the best tips on making your next airport trip a pleasant one:
Be there two to two and a half hours early. The lines will be long at the airport during the holidays. Make sure to be at the ticket counter at least two to two and a half hours prior to the set departure time. That will allow plenty of time to get through security and guarantee a spot on the plane.
Have a carry-on bag ready for security. Have toiletries and everything ready to go in your bag. Place coins, keys, belt, wallet, cell phone, and everything else from your pockets into your bag. Also, one must be sure to remove his or her shoes prior to entering the security lanes. Not only is it a requirement, but it will make for a faster and easier approach through security.
If things go wrong, stay calm and think rationally. If flights are canceled or delayed, do not get upset and lash out at airline and airport employees. Keep the phone number of the airline on hand and call them directly to see if they are able to book another flight. This will provide a better chance than standing in a line waiting for customer service.
With these tips, air travel should become more of an enjoyable and fun way to travel back home to loved ones and to friends for the holiday season.
