Here we will go over nine frequent flier tricks to learn and apply to your future trips.
To an inexperienced flier, getting through the airport with ease and actually enjoying the flight may sound impossible. However, every time you fly, you see people that are prepared, stress-free, and going through the motions as if they are professional fliers.
Chances are, those “professional fliers” have a few tricks up their sleeves, and you can too.
Let’s jump right in.
1) Have Your Travel Bags Ready
When you travel often, you develop a good idea of what items are consistently put into your luggage. Work attire, toiletries, and charging cables are a few examples of items that tend to see the inside of your bags each time you go on a trip.
Save yourself the stress of worrying that you will forget something by having it pre-packed and ready to go. Purchase extra essentials like shampoo, chargers, and toothpaste and leave them in your luggage year-round.
2) Create a Record Keeping System
Whether you travel for work or play, tracking your expenses will help you stay within budget.
In a notebook, expense tracking app, or spreadsheet, take note of every dollar you spend and upload photos of all your receipts. To make access easier, try to receive any booking confirmations or receipts via email.
3) Take Advantage of Frequent-Flier Perks
Most airlines, hotels, and transportation services offer frequent-flier perks to loyal customers. These perks are similar to a coffee punch card “buy 10 cups, get one free”.
If you travel often, there is no reason why you shouldn’t sign up for these programs and get some freebies or discounts. Each company offers different perks, but some examples are free food, luggage checks, hotel stays or flights, and merchandise.
4) Book Early
As soon as you know that you are going to be traveling, hop on the computer and start searching for flights and accommodations.
Both hotels and airlines offer discounted rates for bookings that are dated farther out, and as the date approaches, the price will gradually increase.
Additionally, booking early does more than save you money; it ensures you get the seats or rooms you want.
5) Reserve Two Seats
If you save money by booking early, you might be able to afford an extra seat on the plane.
If you can afford it, reserve the seat next to you. Having that empty seat will ensure that you aren’t rubbing elbows with a stranger, you have more legroom, and you can get out of the aisle easier.
6) Act Like a Pro
If you have the privilege of traveling often, you’re basically a professional, so you should act like one.
You know airport procedures in and out. Things like checking your bags, finding the gate, and going through security should come naturally to you. Nobody likes being stuck in line behind a person that doesn’t have their paperwork ready or slows the entire process, so don’t be that person.
Create an airport routine and stick to it to ensure that your trip and everyone else’s goes smoothly.
7) Use Colorful Baggage
We all hate standing at the baggage carousel for thirty minutes looking for our luggage amongst bags that look nearly identical. The entire situation is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
You can save a lot of time and get out of that dreaded airport faster by simply using luggage that stands out in the crowd. Buy something colorful or patterned. If you don’t want a vibrant suitcase, you could use colorful luggage tags instead.
8) Keep an Updated Travel Policy on Hand
Statistics show that 12 out of every 100 seats booked on a plane are for corporate travelers.
If you are traveling for business, you should be safeguarding yourself and your trip by keeping an updated travel policy on your person at all times.
Your company’s business policy will include instructions on what to do in certain situations, how much you can spend, emergency contacts, and more.
If you were to arrive at your hotel or airport and your reservation was canceled, you will need to refer to your travel policy before making any decisions.
9) Pack the Right Stuff in your Carry On
Since you’re a frequent flier, you know that the contents of your carry-on can be more important than what’s in your actual luggage.
When you need something mid-flight that you didn’t pack in your carry-on, it can feel like the end of the world. That is why you should make a checklist of items to pack and update it often according to your needs.
Some carry-on items to include are:
- Compression socks
- Gum
- Snacks
- Change of clothes
- Portable charger
- Entertainment
A great carry-on tip is to wear a sweater instead of putting it in your carry-on. You can take it off if you get too warm, and it doubles as a pillow.