Things you can’t fly with this summer

Summer travel is returning this year after a hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re gearing up to go somewhere this year, you may have forgotten about those pesky TSA rules. Some make more sense than others. For example, there are certain consumer electronic products like power banks and batteries that carry the risk of catching fire or exploding. Then, there are those TSA … [Read more...]

Teens flying unaccompanied: what to do when things go wrong

On Pit Stops for Kids, we've written tips for parents whose kids are flying solo. But what about teens? Most airlines allow kids aged 5-14 to fly as unaccompanied minors (with kids 5-7 restricted only to direct flights), which leaves kids 15 and up in a completely different category. When kids 15-17 fly solo, they're still every bit as unaccompanied...and are still minors. But basically, they're … [Read more...]

Using FlyLine for cheap airfare booking

We like to think we're pretty good at finding the lowest airfare for any trip. But it's complicated and usually makes us want to pull our hair out. Plus, it seems there's a new third-party airfare booking app just about every five days...how to know which ones to search through? Enter FlyLine, a wholesale flight club with exclusive fares and zero markup. Instead of using a third-party … [Read more...]

Tips for buying airfare from third party airline booking sites

If you'll be among the many families deciding to buy airfare this year, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of third party airline booking sites competing for your business. Buying airfare using third party airline booking sites can reward you with the lowest fares possible, but you do need to go into the process with eyes wide open. Related post:  find the lowest airfare for your trip, every … [Read more...]

Travel gear: Smart items to pack in your personal item

Whether it is a family trip, vacation, trekking trip, or a business trip, everyone faces the problem of packing the right stuff into our handbag, tote, backpack or other personal item. Packing for a trip needs planning that is a lot demanding than planning for the trip itself. For this reason, I have come up with a strategy about smart things that need to be in our handbag or a carry-on bag before … [Read more...]

What you need to know about going through international travel customs with kids

To some parents, the thought of navigating immigrations and customs with kids is intimidating. For some, the first experience in customs will be during a trip to Mexico, or Canada. For all of us, it can be tiring, especially after a long travel day (or night). But by knowing what to expect (and having the forms and documents you need) going through travel customs with kids can be a breeze. Here's … [Read more...]

Flying tips with kids and babies

The travel season is upon us, and if you've delayed that family vacay because you're worried about travel with children and in particular, flying with kids, fear not! You've got this! Here are our top flying tips with kids: No matter how savvy a traveler you are, the rules are different once you’re trying to book a flight (usually to save money) and travel enjoyably with kids in tow. Here’s how … [Read more...]

Tips for booking airfare

With airfare at a new low, now is the time to book that last minute trip! Here's what you need to know, with all our top tips for booking airfare:   Use the 24-hour cancellation rule. After booking, check the fare the next morning. If it’s gone down, take advantage of most airlines’ 24-hour cancellation rule and cancel and rebook the flight. Book on a Tuesday; leave on a … [Read more...]

Anxious air traveler tips from experts

Are you an anxious air traveler? There are many people who feel deeply anxious when it comes to traveling - specifically traveling by plane. According to studies held in the USA, 25 percent of the population feel nervous about flying. It’s a real issue for most people, especially those who suffer from fear of heights or claustrophobia. But, there are ways to fight the flying blues and take control … [Read more...]

How to get kids to sleep while traveling (no matter what age)

I'll be honest: we've had some insanely sleep deprived family vacations. We followed every parenting book in the...well, book, but when our kids were babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, they struggled to sleep anywhere, no matter what we did. This torture, of course, followed us on any trip we took. Now that our kids are older, we all sleep better, but there are still nights on the road when we … [Read more...]