Flight Tips

• Set up alerts for sites like TripAdvisor.com and Kayak.com that tell you when flights have dropped below a certain cost that you have selected.

• DO NOT HESITATE when you find a cheap flight! Hesitation could cost you $100 or more on a plane ticket. Flight costs can fluctuate quickly sometimes within the same day.

• Try Priceline.com and NAME YOUR OWN PRICE. Going this route may add more stops to your flight but you might be able to find the flight price that you’re looking for.

 
Flight Tips: Airport Info

• Some people get confused just coming into the airport alone. Just remember, the Departures sign is for those flying out to their destination and the Arrivals sign is for those that have just come in or “arrived” from their destination.

• If you choose to leave your car at the airport while on your vacation find the sign for long-term. Other parking options are available such as valet, shuttle service and garage versus surface parking. Check the airport’s website under Parking to find out options and costs.

• Take a picture of garage markers indicating where you parked your car with your cell phone so you will be able to find it easily when you return.

•  Make sure to have the following ready for checking in:

• Flight Confirmation/Electronic ticket (e-ticket)
• Boarding Pass (if you have checked in online)
• Driver’s License/Passport (for international)
• Credit card used for purchase
• Money for checking in luggage (find out if this applies from airport’s website

• A Check-In kiosk can help save on time. Have your record locator code or the same credit card used to buy your plane ticket (card will not be charged) with you and you can obtain your boarding pass through the kiosk.

• Even if you have baggage, you can still use the kiosk.

• If you receive an email from your airline allowing you to check-in through the email you received you won’t even have to go to a kiosk if you have a printer at home. In most cases, you can just print off your boarding pass at home and when you reach the airport you can take your luggage to a check-in station and they can take your luggage at that time without you having to stand in lengthy lines.

• When prompted select that you have baggage. The agent at the counter will call your name as soon as you’re done and will take your luggage at that time.

•  The average weight for luggage is 50lbs or less. If you have a home scale just weigh your suitcase with that to figure out if your bag is over-weight or not. Or they also have actual luggage weighers. Check with your airline to make sure of weight restrictions.

•  You are allowed to bring liquids up to3.4 ounces or smalleron the plane. Any amount larger than that will be confiscated. You can bring an empty bottle though as long as it’s empty when it goes through security.

• It’s okay to carry snacks or food in your carry-on such as crackers, trail mix and candy.

• Traveling with PS3, Laptops, Ipods and Kindles are okay. You may be asked at some point to turn them off and turn them back on once safely in the air.

• Battery running low on cellphone juice? There are plugs throughout the airport. To the untrained eye plugs may seem non-existent but you can find plugs under pay phones and near some rows of seating. They can also be found on the large dividing poles near gates. Charging may be minimal but depending on how long your layover is it can give you a little boost until you make it to your destination.

• When it is time for you to board your plane always make sure to give a glance behind yourself to avoid leaving any of your personal belongings behind. This may seem like a no-brainer but when you’re in a rush to head to your destination it’s easy to leave things behind. Also, check your seating when you are leaving the plane as well.

• When traveling into Mexico, make sure to fill out a Customs Declaration Form and a Multiple Immigration Form or Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) that looks something like this (click here) while on the plane. The stewardess should hand you this during your flight to Mexico. You present this form once you arrive at the airport. They will take the left sided portion and you hold onto the right sided portion. When you leave Mexico have this with you at the airport.

• When traveling from Mexico, you will have to fill out a blue Customs Declaration Form that looks something like this (click here).

• To go into Canada from the U.S. you don’t need a passport or visa BUT to come back from Canada into the U.S. you do need a passport.

• There is a passport card and a passport book. Their uses are very similar. Here’s the difference:
  • Passport Card: Valid when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. It is NOT valid for international travel by plane.
    • Cheaper than a passport book.
    • Both are valid for the same amount of time: 10 years for adults, 5 years for children (under 16)
  • Passport Book: Valid for international travel by air, sea or land.
    • More in cost than a passport card.
    • Both are valid for the same amount of time: 10 years for adults, 5 years for children (under 16)
  •  Passports act as an I.D.when traveling. If driver’s license is lost it’s okay as long as you have your passport. You can still return back home.
  • It takes 4-6 weeks to get a passport and if expedited it can take 2-3 weeks. In some cases you may get it sooner than anticipated.
  • Be aware of the expiration date on your passport. Many countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Ecuador make it mandatory for you to renew your passport 6 months before its actual expiration date. Some countries give a more lenient time frame. Check and find out these restrictions in the country you are planning to visit to save you a headache later. You can find this out on the  International Travel Information page and select the country you’re traveling to. Under the ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS category it should tell you how far in advance you would need to renew your passport for that specific country.
  • To save a little money, you can always take your own picture for your passport. Photo requirements for a passport have to be:
  • 2 x 2 inches
  • in color
  • taken in front of a white or off-white background
  • the head has to be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. For more details click here.
  • Make at least 2 copies of your passport. Keep one with you or in your luggage and give the other to a family member or friend. This is in case your passport is lost or stolen.
  • Have your passport out of its jacket if you have one for your passport when going through a customs check point.
  • Check here for any information on applying for or to check the status on a passport.
  • Check here for information on any travel warnings about your destination.