air travel tips - Pitstops for Kids

Tips for kids flying solo as unaccompanied minors (STEP BY STEP GUIDE)

August 14, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Once upon a time, the whole family was enjoying a Laguna Beach vacation. The only thing missing: my son Calvin, age 11. We booked him a one-way flight on Alaska Airlines (escorted to the plane by his grandfather). And it was easy! If you’ve never booked an unaccompanied minor’s flight, we’ll walk you through the steps for kids flying solo.

Step 1: book your minor’s flight

On Alaska Airlines, booking your unaccompanied minor’s flight is as easy as clicking ‘0’ in the ‘adults’ field when booking a ticket online. Once you’ve done so, you’ll be automatically directed to Alaska’s unaccompanied minor page, which will list restrictions and fees ($25 each way at the time of our flight) and provide the Guardian Contact Form you’ll need to fill out to ensure your child’s parent or guardian can pick him or her up on the other end.

Note: Children ages 5-17 can fly as unaccompanied minors. Kids 5-7 are restricted to only direct flights (recommended for all unaccompanied minors if possible).

Step 2: Fill out the Guardian Contact Form

Once you have your child’s flight number(s), fill out the Guardian Contact Form, keeping in mind that your child will only be released to a person listed on it (be sure to have at least two listed, just in case). Print the form using your child’s confirmation number, and bring it with you to the airport.

Note: What you’ll also need at the airport: your child’s e-ticket or confirmation number, and a debit card for your child to use if you’d like him or her able to purchase food on the plane. (We recommend simply feeding your child a meal or purchasing a meal prior to boarding instead, if possible.)

Step 3: Arrive at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure to accompany your child to the gate

An escort pass to accompany your child through security must be obtained prior to the standard check-in process, and can be obtained at the check-in counter. Be sure to have your ID handy, and make sure any purse or bag you’re carrying is security-ready. What else you’ll need at check-in: your child’s passport if flying internationally (no picture ID was needed for a minor’s domestic flight) and your Guardian Contact form.

Step 4: Arrive at the gate 30 minutes before departure:

Alert the gate attendant that your child is flying unaccompanied, and he or she will board first with an escort. Before he or she boards: make sure he or she has eaten (or has food with him or her) and has a carry-on that is manageable, in which his or her on-board entertainment is readily accessible. If your minor will be connecting with another flight, it can be useful to give him or her a cell phone. The gate attendant will ask you to wait until the flight has departed.

Step 5: Picking up your minor

The parent or guardian at the other end of the journey will need to arrive at the check-in counter of your airline in time to get through security before the plane lands (I recommend 1 hour prior, to be safe). At the counter, the guardian will identify him or herself, show ID, and be given a pass to allow your through security to the gate. (You should also be given gate information, including the time the plane is due to arrive.)

Once your child has deplaned, an escort will check the guardian’s ID against names listed on the Guardian Contact Form, and release your child.

Why Alaska Airlines? Alaska Airlines did not sponsor this post in any way. We used Alaska in this step-by-step guide because we it’s the airline we patronized when flying Calvin solo, and (to no surprise) found the process to be friendly, easy, and enjoyable. Alaska is a top family-friendly airline, and Pit Stops for Kids recommends it wholeheartedly for its efficiency and stellar service.

Tip! Have a teen flying solo? Read our tips for teen international travel…and what to do when things go wrong.

Jet lag: kids get it too! Tips for dealing

March 23, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

On my kids’ first cross-Atlantic journey, we did everything we could to ease the effects of jet lag. We drank a lot of water, got as good a night’s sleep beforehand as possible, and established a ‘bedtime’ on the plane. And everything went well…until our 11-year-old began vomiting as we weaved our way through customs. Not a pleasant story, I know, but nausea is a more common symptom of jet lag than you’d think. Read on for what to watch for, best prevention, and how to deal with jet lag…kids, adults, everyone!

Prevention of jet lag in kids is best:

As noted above, there are steps you can take to help ease the effects of jet lag in kids. Here they are in a nut shell. (And no, we have not found any of the gimmicky natural remedies to work.)

Drink lots of fluids, especially water. We already drink a large amount of water per day at home, so we thought this would be no problem in flight. However, water is only available every so often. Bring your own refillable water containers and stock up in the airport before your flight or flights. Sip often.
Pound the Vitamin C. It helps to stay heathy when dealing with jet lag, and traveling across time zones can really wear out your body. This includes your immune system, and the immune systems of kids. We brought Airborne chewables to take every few hours, plus mandated that kids order at least 1-2 glasses of orange juice during complimentary drink services onboard.
Get sleep the night before. Of course, this is easier said than done if you’re overnighting in an airport hotel or if you have an early morning departure. But do your best. Don’t be tempted to think kids will sleep better on the plane if they skip sleep the night before. An overtired body doesn’t deal with jet lag well.
Bring pillows, eye shades, ear plugs, and a plan for ‘bedtime’. Again…this is easier said than done. We established a time for our kids to stop watching airplane movies at their seat and lean their seats back to try to sleep. It sort of worked. Banning drinks with caffeine in the evening helped.

Dealing with jet lag once you arrive:

Drink more water. Be aware that public drinking fountains may be scarce (we find them much more plentiful in the States than abroad). Be prepared to spend a significant sum on bottled water.
Get Vitamin D, but continue with Vitamin C. Get outside as soon as you can. Take a walk in the neighborhood of your hotel or vacation rental. Avoid going into darker spaces the day you arrive, such as museums or movie theaters.
Put your watches and clocks on local time immediately, and make yourself (and your family) honor it. Yes, it may feel like 3 am to you, but if it’s lunchtime, eat lunch and be as active as possible. Do your best to prevent naps. It’s far better to allow an early bedtime than to allow kids to nap immediately, unless of course, you want to be up all night.
Leave an ‘empty’ morning in your itinerary for the day after you arrive. We’re early risers, but after arriving in Paris at about 3 pm local time and pushing ourselves through to 8 pm before going to bed, we still woke at 8 am. We needed those twelve hours of sleep, so I’m glad I didn’t plan a morning activity.
Consider a sleeping aid for Night 1. We opted to medicate with a mild sleeping pill. This is a personal choice of course, but we found that it helped our older kids fall asleep more easily those first few nights.

A dose of realism: what to look for and expect:

Difficulty getting to sleep: This seems odd, but even if you or the kids feel very tired, it can be hard to get to sleep if your body thinks it’s mid-day. We found this problem persisted for 4-5 days. To combat it, we did move bedtime back (which allowed for some later evenings out), but still forced ourselves to lie in bed with the lights off before we felt tired. After several days, our bodies made the minor adjustment to be truly on schedule. A natural sleeping aid, reading, or a cup of non-caffeinated tea at bedtime helps, if that’s your thing.
Nausea: Our son started feeling nauseous and dizzy on the last leg of our three-leg set of flights. By this time, he’d been awake almost 24 hours, with only a few cat naps. Luckily, we grabbed an air sickness bag from the plane before we disembarked, because he lost his breakfast by the time we were queuing for customs. Not fun, but we dealt with it with water and some fresh air. He felt fully recovered by the time we arrived at our accommodations.
Constipation: Pack an over-the-counter medication of your choice. Check in with kids about their bathroom habits during the first few days. If you have teens, this will embarrass them horribly, which is a fun silver lining.
Headaches: We also brought Tylenol for headaches, which are common while fighting jet lag. Ultimately, sleep and hydration will fix this problem best.

Realistically, you may not be able to prevent young kids, or even teens, from falling asleep upon arrival. We let ours take a nap between shorter flights (we landed in Rome and took a small jet to Paris) but once we had arrived at our final destination, we immediately went outside, grocery shopped, and explored our neighborhood. Were we tired? Goodness yes. Was it hard to deal with the language barrier while fallowing a grocery list in an unfamiliar store with tired kids? Double yes. But it was worth it when we fell into bed that night!

What are your best tips for combatting jet lag? I’d love to hear them in the comments.

How it works to take your pet on the plane

January 14, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Whilst the rich and famous might have the luxury of being able to hire or even buy a private plane to ferry their pets from country to country, for the majority of people that just isn’t a reality, leaving us to deal with mainstream commercial airlines if we want to fly abroad with our animals. What you need to know about taking your pet on the plane:

Pets travelling in the airplane cabin area

Whilst some airlines only carry pets in the plane’s cargo hold, many now allow very small dogs and cats to travel with their owners in the cabin. British Airways, for example, permit cats and dogs weighing under 6kg (including the weight of the carrier) to be transported in the cabin of the airplane. It’s something that is becoming more widespread and even some budget airlines are now considering allowing some pets into the cabin area.

There are various restrictions in place: The carrier must be under a certain size, well ventilated and allow the pet to stand and turn around. The pet cannot leave their carrier during the flight, only one pet is permitted for any passenger and a small maximum number of animals are allowed to travel in this manner on any one flight. There is usually a set additional cost for pets to travel in the cabin which may differ from the cost of a pet being transported in the plane’s cargo hold and the necessary medical and travel papers will be required before the animal can fly.

If this is something you might consider then it’s vital to speak to the airline in person before booking tickets to make sure that they can accommodate a pet in this way on your flight and to check their specific criteria as this will vary depending on who you’re flying with.

Pets travelling in the cargo hold

If you have a larger pet then they will usually need to travel in the cargo hold of the plane, along with general luggage. Airlines have strict conditions in place for every aspect of transporting pets.

The carrier containing the pet needs to fit specific standards to be considered as approved for air travel. Usually only one pet can travel per passenger and there are very limited numbers of pets permitted per flight. Medical and travel certificates are required in advance of flying and there are additional health and welfare factors to consider for a pet travelling in the cargo hold.

Owners cannot check on pets in the hold during a flight, so ensuring that their container is secure, that the pets have adequate hydration for the length of the flight and that the experience is as stress-free as possible is a complicated undertaking. Pets cannot be tranquilised for the journey as this has serious health implications for flying, so with all the noises, vibrations and sensations involved in this type of transport, it can be cause of a great deal of anxiety in animals (and their owners).

Assistance and support dogs

If you have a certified assistance dog, for example a guide dog or a hearing dog for the deaf, many airlines allow them to travel with their owner in the cabin of plane for no additional cost. All necessary medical and travel paperwork has to be in place and the dog must be certified by a recognised body as necessary to assist the owner’s mobility if they are visually impaired, hearing impaired or disabled.

More and more people now have emotional support dogs which play an important role in their owners’ lives to help keep them calm and reduce anxiety. Some airlines also allow these dogs to travel in the cabin with their owners for no additional cost, but the list of criteria that they must meet is extensive in order to qualify.

Owners must have a recently certified mental health diagnosis, along with a variety of specific documentation from medical professionals to prove that their dog is of vital assistance to them on the journey.

How to decide if airplane travel is right for your pet

The decision on whether to take your pet on a plane isn’t one to take lightly. Many dogs and cats find the whole experience very stressful and frightening, so this needs to be weighed up against the benefits for the animal and its well being long term.

It can be very expensive, not just purchasing an appropriate carrier and the cost of the flight itself, but also getting into place the correct veterinary treatments, vaccinations, checks and paperwork for your pet beforehand, such as an expensive ‘pet passport’, not to mention the cost of any potential quarantine or other checks required in the country that your dog or cat is travelling to.

It’s important that before you book anything or speak to the airline, your pet is given a full health check up from your vet to help ensure that they are fit to travel. The age of the pet could also influence your decision. Elderly pets don’t tend to cope as well with this kind of stressful travel. There are also non-physical factors to consider. The character and personality of your pet may well play a large part in how well or badly they will deal with the experience of flying, either in the cabin or the cargo hold.

If the plane journey is likely to be a one-off, for example if you’re emigrating and want to take the family pet with you for good, then it could well be worth the short term stress for your pet to then be with its owners for the rest of it’s life in your new home. Taking pets on short holidays via plane is another matter, and is usually generally considered not to be worth the expense, stress and paperwork involved for most pet owners.

Before booking any flights for your pets, ensure that you talk it through with your chosen airline and check that you have a full list of their requirements or policies as they do vary and change from time to time. At the end of the day, you know your pet best and will need to take every factor into account before finally deciding whether travelling by plane is in their best interest, both short and long term.

Source: eReplacementParts.com

Family travel tips for major airport delays

January 6, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Everyone knows air travel delays are out of our control, and at best, inconvenient. There’s not much families can do about them other than wait and hope for the best. But what about big delays…the ones that can stretch for days? What then? Just about everyone who travels regularly has at least one extreme delay story. Here’s ours, followed by tips for major airport delays, to make the best of a bad situation.

My son Tobias and I set out from Southern Oregon headed to Savannah, Georgia to review a hotel and gather some stories on the region. Our planned 12 hour travel day was on schedule until our layover in Chicago…where we crossed paths with their first snowstorm of the season. The storm brought blizzard conditions for two days straight, stranding just about everyone. Our flight that evening was delayed, then delayed again, and again, until it was finally cancelled well after midnight. Because our delay was due to weather, we were on our own to rebook our flights and put ourselves up for the night. We finally fell into a bed at a pretty terrible airport hotel at about 2 am.

The earliest flight I could find to rebook was a full 24 hours later, and we spent another full day in the airport. That flight, too, was cancelled. Faced with spending yet another night in a bad hotel and another day in O’Hare (and having missed 3/4th of our trip in Savannah at this point), we decided to cut our losses are book ourselves on a flight back home. This flight was scheduled for 36 hours later, so we got the heck out of the airport and enjoyed 36 hours in the city. The result: a stressful, awful few days ended in a spontaneous city getaway! How to make the most of your extreme delay:

While still in the airport:

1. Be prepared to rebook when delays start stretching out. Minor delays are pretty routine, but when your flight is continuously delayed multiple times (often by increments of 15-30 minutes at a time), a cancellation may be in your future. You’ll want to do you best to beat others to the customer service counter, especially if you’re not a flyer with elite status. Locate the costumer service center for your airline (it will likely be in your terminal) ahead of time, so you’ll know where to go, and look up the 800 number so you can be calling while you wait in line. Note: you can’t rebook before your flight is officially cancelled…just be at the ready.

2. Once in that dreaded customer service line because of the dreaded cancellation, call the service number while you wait. It’s very possible you’ll be helped before you reach the front of the line. If your cancellation is due to mechanical issues, you’ll need to stay in line to get lodging and food vouchers, but if it’s due to weather, you’re now free to leave.

3. If you need to book a hotel, search for best rates using a 3rd party site (I recommend Trivago) but then call the hotel directly instead of booking online. The reason for this: you’ll find out if the hotel’s shuttle system is still running (they typically stop at 11 pm) and find out exactly where to wait for it. Plus, they’ll know you’re waiting and will usually make an extra run to the airport or offer you a voucher for a cab. Ask for the rate you found online and it will almost always be honored. Plus, by booking directly, you’ll be able to cancel the reservation much more easily should it be necessary for any reason. For example, when our flight was cancelled, I was flustered and made a reservation at the wrong location of the hotel chain I wanted. I called right back (within five minutes) and they were willing to cancel my reservation without a penalty. Had I booked through a large 3rd party site, I would have been responsible for the first night’s rate.

4. Consider paying for airport lounge access. If you’ll be delayed a long time and cannot leave the airport (you’re delayed all day rather than overnight, for instance), consider paying for your airline’s lounge access. The fee is usually around $30-$40 per person, and therefore rarely worth the money if you don’t have passes due to elite status or miles; however, in extreme cases, it can be of good value. For the price of admission, you’ll be able to wait in comport away from crowds, with unlimited snacks and soda (enough to make a few meals out of), free WiFi, and a bar (with some free drinks). Kids can stretch out, you can change your devices, and still keep an eye on your flight via monitors.

5. If you decide to cut your losses: if you’re delayed so long it’s no longer worth going to to your planned destination, there are several steps you need to take. Step 1: make sure you can cancel your planned hotel reservations, car rental, etc in your original destination. This will require some phone work and possible begging. If the delay is this long, there’s likely a good reason for it (epic snowstorm, hurricane, you get the idea) and usually you can find some mercy. Do this as soon as possible though, to avoid last-minute cancellation fees where possible.

Step 2: Head back to that customer service counter and explain that you no longer want to go to your final destination. Instead, you want to be rerouted home. This is called a Carry Over Carry Back. To do this without paying a re-scheduling fee, you’ll be asked to book the earliest option available. If you’d like to salvage some of your holiday, however, you’ll actually want to be rebooked home at least 24-36 hours later, so you can get out of the airport and have a little fun. This is the part where you’re very nice and polite to your desk agent. He or she has the power to bestow some goodwill your way, and help you out as much as possible. Acting angry and rude will not work. Believe me, I’ve seen it played out time and again. When we were delayed in Chicago, I was helped by several agents during my long layover, and all were kind and generous with what they could do. I believe this is because they are kind people, but also because I was kind and patient when talking with them.

Note: on most airlines, after you’re successfully rebooked home without a fee and in the time window you desire, you’ll keep the same confirmation number, but you won’t have boarding passes (because your flight will be more than 24 hours away). You also won’t be able to check in online or via the airline’s app, in our experience. You’ll need a desk agent to check you in when you return, so include that into your plans. You’ll also, in my experience, be issued two sets of boarding passes, one of which you’ll need to hand to the gate agent, even though you’ll already have seats assigned. I have no idea why.

6. Once you’re all rebooked and ready to get the heck out of the airport, you’ll need a hotel. Don’t go to a lame airport hotel. This is your chance to salvage your trip! This is the time to book a nice hotel downtown in the city you’ve found yourselves in, upgrading yourselves silly. Trust me, you’ll be glad you pampered yourself, and probably, you’ll still spend less money than you planned to spend wherever you were going (because now your trip is much shorter). Call the hotel of your choice directly, so you can book their best rate (just like with the airport hotel) and to ask a local hotel desk staff member for the best directions and transportation method to the hotel. We like to use public transit when possible, but depending on the weather situation and location of your hotel, the hotel desk clerk may suggest a taxi or car service. If this is the case, ask for the approximate rate you should expect.

Once on your ‘new’ holiday:

1. Use your hotel’s concierge. It has one, because you booked a nice place, right? Because this city wasn’t what you planned on, you probably are at a loss as to what to do and how to go about doing it. The concierge is your new best friend. He or she can tell you what maybe be happening that day or weekend in the city, any special events causing traffic, and what attractions are must-dos. During our trip to Chicago in the snowstorm, we only knew about a Thanksgiving parade because of our concierge. She also gave us exact directions to the best museums so we could stay dry and warm, and recommended a seasonal Christmas market.

2. Get some R&R. If your hotel has a club level, upgrade to it (many Westins and Grand Hyatts have these). If not, book a spa treatment or order room service. Buy that pay-per-view movie and watch it in hotel robes under the covers. Have a nice meal or try that excursion you never thought you’d do.

3. Reach out to social media. Get tips for your ‘new’ city, find out if far-flung family or friends live nearby, and ask for restaurant recommendations. I got a 25 ideas in less than an hour when I asked about Chicago! (Just don’t take rides or offers from strangers, of course.)

4. Allow time and budget for getting back to the airport. When your salvaged mini holiday is over, remember you’ll need to get yourselves back to the airport without the convenience of a free shuttle. Plan the time to take public transit, or, if your flight is very early in the morning, ask your concierge whether it’s best to hire a car service or take a taxi. Depending on the distance to the airport and the number of people in your party, the answer varies. Allow extra time to see an agent at check-in, since you likely won’t be able to check-in online, and extra time to see a gate agent.

With our impromptu 36 hours in Chicago, we had a magical time. We started with a chilly commute to our downtown hotel, but quickly made up for it with club level access and amazing views at Westin River North. The next day, we enjoyed a full day on the town, during which we said ‘yes’ to everything from hot cocoa to ice skating to souvenirs, and while our trip wasn’t what we planned on, I know we’ll have fond memories of our ‘stolen’ day in the Windy City.

How to plan a stress-free family holiday while pregnant

November 25, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Welcoming a new arrival to your growing family is an incredibly joyous occasion albeit with one small exception; planning your family holiday! During this time it can seem daunting to plan a relaxing vacation abroad which will accommodate for all of your pre-natal needs. To help rectify this issue, here are some helpful hints that I’ve found can reduce the stress that often accompanies planning a family holiday while pregnant:

Investigate airline policies before booking flights:

‘Flying whilst pregnant’ is not a term which appeals to many expectant mothers. Fortunately, I’ve found that if you carry out some online research into airline policies before booking your flights then you can choose the method of travel which best suits you. In these instances, I agree with Flashpacker Family blogger Bethaney Davies who advises;

“Flying can be uncomfortable at the best of times… Look into the quality and comfort of the airline, especially the seats, before you book any flights. If you can afford it, business class makes for very comfortable pregnant flying!”.

In this manner, I have also found it useful to capitalise upon airline early boarding policies. By investigating their guidelines with regards to pregnant women and contacting these particular airlines before arriving at the departure gate, you can board early without a fuss and present any medical notes that need to be shown which deem you are safe to fly. Not only will these steps avoid any inconvenient documentary complications upon boarding, but they will also equip you with additional time to settle your children, get yourself comfortable and put on some DVT socks before take-off! Once in the air, I would also advise you to drink plenty of water to remain hydrated and to take short walks along the aisle at regular intervals to boost your blood circulation.

Implement emergency contingency plans:

In my experience, I’ve found that if you dedicate some time to planning for any emergency that may occur whilst you are abroad then you can grant yourself peace of mind throughout your family holiday. Even when I think that I’ve accommodated for every eventuality, I still invest in a family travel insurance policy to account for any circumstances that I might have overlooked. As this guide for expectant mothers conveys;

“Having the right travel insurance for your holiday is always important, especially when you’re pregnant. Expecting a child makes you more vulnerable than the average traveller to potential risk. On the off-chance you do need to cancel your trip and hurry home or require medical care, travel insurance will have you covered”.

If you look for travel insurance policies which will cover you and your family against the cost of lost luggage, stolen or damaged possessions, cancelled flights and accommodation as well as any medical expenses you may incur, including the cost of transporting you home should you fall ill, you can remain calm and confident that you, your family and your baby’s welfare will be safeguarded whilst abroad.

Don’t underestimate the importance of taking breaks:

Above all else, if you wish to have a stress-free holiday whilst pregnant, you should make your rest and recuperation periods a priority. As travel blogger Frances M. Thompson explains;

“While my initial reaction was to see tiredness as an inconvenient side effect of pregnancy that I had to battle with, a firm but fair piece of advice from my midwife soon made me realise tiredness was my body’s way of telling me it needed all the energy it could gather to put into growing my baby so I’d better rest up to gather more for it to use “.

Consequently, regardless of whether you plan a beachside break, a weekend away in a capital city or a relaxing retreat in the countryside, I’ve found that taking frequent pit stops throughout your holiday itinerary will enable both parent and baby to remain happy and healthy. By interspersing your family-friendly activities with relaxing excursions, such as sunbathing or even a few prenatal massages at your hotel or holiday resort, you can ensure that your family enjoy a memorable vacation whilst simultaneously safeguarding your health and the development of your baby.

Five air travel hacks that save you money in travel perks

October 19, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

We all know families can earn travel day perks with air mileage programs and airline-associated credit cards. But not all of us have tons of miles or platinum cards that get us upgrades. That’s ok. Here are five air travel hacks you can use to enjoy free or discounted perks on your next air travel day.

Park your car at the airport for free.

Plus get it washed and vacuumed. Plus make some cash. Here’s the catch: you need to make your car available for rental in your absence. FlightCar is a car sharing service now at many major US airports. Just sign up for free, then drop your car off at the FlightCar lot when you arrive at the airport. The check-in process is quick (most of the info is compiled ahead of time online) and after turning over your keys, you’re on your way to your gate, courtesy of a FlightCar shuttle. Parking for the duration of your trip is free whether your car is rented out or not, and if it is, you earn a marginal fee (to the tune of about 10 cents per mile). Your car is even washed before you arrive home. FlightCar insures all cars, but yeah, you have to be willing to let strangers drive your vehicle.

Don’t want to do this? If you’ll be staying the night near the airport before or after your trip, you can park your car for free using ParkSleepFly. We’ve used this perk many times. For no additional cost than the hotel room, you can park your car for up to 10 days, and get a free shuttle to the airport.

Get free checked luggage.

And free luggage, for that matter. The service Orion will send you two hardshell roller bags (one 21″ carry-on and one 29″ for check-in), each wrapped in advertising. You keep the bags, which are actually quite nice, with charging stations, GPS location, and a luggage tampering system, and you never pay checked bag fees again. Orion sends you a refillable gift card that starts with $50. Every time you check your bag, you get the card reloaded. Ads include KFC, GM, Verizon, and the like. The catch: you have to be a walking advertisement. The first million users sign up free, so get on it!

Want to carry your own luggage? Eight times out of ten, passengers are able to check bags for free at the gate. Simply volunteer to your gate agent. If you’re flight is full, you’ll get free checked luggage.

Gain discounted entry to airport lounges.

I love airport lounges. My favorite is Alaska’s Board Room, but I’m also a fan of United airline’s club. However, I very rarely fly first or business class, and I don’t have the air miles to achieve elite status. How do I get in? I buy passes in advance, or use guest passes. Check to see if the carrier you’re flying offers an airport lounge discount when booking your ticket. Often, you can save significantly by buying a day pass online, in advance. On United’s Web site, you can save $11 this way, and US Airways reduces its lounge price to $29 if you buy the pass when you book your ticket. Also ask friends and co-workers if they’d be willing to sell you their guest passes, if they’re elite fliers. Strike a deal that’s win-win. Often, these passes go unused.

Enjoy priority boarding.

It’s a myth that priority boarding is only available to high mileage flyers and business class or first class passengers. While most airlines used to reserve this perk for their most loyal customers, for better or for worse, this perk is now for sale…and it’s cheap. Look for the option to upgrade to priority boarding when you book your ticket online. You know, it will be on the page you usually click past immediately because it’s full of ways they’re looking to milk you for more cash. But give it a look before dismissing: this upgrade can be yours for as little as $9-$10. What does it do for you? In addition to allowing you to skip the headache of lining up with the masses, it ensures your carry on bag will make it into the bulkhead compartments before the plane fills.

Get free TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.

Ok, this one does involve a credit card. However, there’s a long list of cards offering this perk, and it’s very possible just about everyone qualifies (or already has) at least one of them. Of course, being an elite member of an airline loyalty program is also likely to earn you free TSA Pre. According to this article, here’s the list of cards that reimburse the fees to apply for Global Entry and TSA Pre, if you use the card to purchase. Skip the long security line and use our packing tips to breeze through security like a pro (or like the flight attendants).

• Barclay AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard (Global Entry only)
• Citi Prestige Card
• Citi /AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard
• Platinum Card from American Express
• Business Platinum Card from American Express OPEN
• Centurion Card from American Express
• American Express Corporate Gold Card
• American Express Corporate Platinum Card

Do you have tips for getting free or discounted travel perks? Share them with us!

Packing tip: How to pack only a carry on!

January 7, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Have you lost luggage lately? Not much fun, is it? How about those baggage fees? Not a fan. But can an entire family really pack carry-on only? Yes! We’ve done it for years, for everything from a weekend trip to two weeks away. We’re full of packing tips, including how to pack only a carry on during your next family vacation, no matter where you’re headed. Read on!

1. Use the ‘roll’ method or packing cubes when packing.

Thousands of Pinterest pins can’t be wrong: rolling clothes instead of folding them saves 30% more space in a duffle or suitcase. Line the bag with bulkier items such as shoes, then roll heavier clothing (like pants and jeans) on the bottom, layering next with shirts, t-shirts, and lastly, delicates and socks. Better yet, use packing cubes. Personally, we love Eagle Creek. (Check out all our best packing cube picks.) I use shoe cubes to keep kids’ socks and underwear organized, but many families ‘cube’ by day, packing complete outfits for each child in each cube.

Tip: Get all our travel tips in one place!

2. Pack more shirts than each child needs, and half as many pants.

Assuming your family vacation is not taking you too far into the wild unknown, the majority of messes will occur to your child’s shirts (think food spills, sweat, and sticky hands wiping). Pants and shorts can often be re-worn with minimal noticability to their wear. Try to find clothes that do double duty, such as pants that zip off to become shorts, and sun protection shirts that can be worn during active play. Our favorite is Columbia’s Silver Ridge pant. Likewise, try to restrict each child to two pairs of shoes: a sturdy pair of walking/hiking shoes (to be worn on the plane) and a pair of destination and season-appropriate sandals or boots.

3. Rent baby equipment at your destination.

By far the bulkiest part of the packing equation is baby gear such as portable cribs and play spaces, strollers, seats, and baby feeding equipment. Whether your destination is a hotel or resort or a relative’s home, there are numerous companies renting all of the above to vacationing families. Most allow parents to reserve the desired equipment online ahead of time, and will deliver equipment to their door. One I have used and recommend is Hotel Babies. And if your child is still in the logistically-difficult baby food stage, companies such as Petit Organics will deliver organic, hand-processed baby food as well.

4. Be prepared to do laundry.

No one wants to do laundry on vacation, but with a little preparation, it doesn’t have to ruin your day. We always pack 2-3 mesh laundry bags, which compact to almost nothing while empty. Travel-sized laundry detergent containers and stain remover can be purchased in TSA-approved sizing, and a roll of quarters can make finding change for washing machines far less painful.

5. Take advantage of the carry-on plus purse rule.

In addition to each ticketed passenger’s carry-on, he or she is permitted a personal purse, tote, or backpack. Since hauling a family’s worth of carry-on luggage can be challenge enough, consider foregoing each passenger’s right to bear a backpack and consolidate to only one or two totes or packs for family use. In addition to each passenger’s carry-on, we designate one large tote for in-air entertainment, which carries our laptop, iPad, and each family member’s book or Kindle and one backpack for snacks, medications, water bottles (to be filled post-security) and other essentials.

6. Board as early as possible.

Because so many travelers are now packing carry-on only to avoid luggage fees, those bulk-head luggage bins fill up quickly. And when they’re full, you’ll be forced to check bags against your will. If you’re carting several large carry-on roller boards or duffles, board the plane as soon as you’re able. Doing so will ensure there’s still space for your carry-ons. It helps to have high-quality carry-on luggage like the brands on our Pinterest page, that can stand a few bumps and bashes (from your kids and others).

7. Gate check for free.

If you’re carrying-on only for the cost-savings, and don’t mind waiting at the baggage carousel for your bags at your destination, almost all airlines will offer free checking at the gate, as an incentive for travelers to save some cabin space. On smaller commuter flights, gate-checked bags will usually be waiting for you on a cart directly off the plane, but beware that on longer flights, they’ll be checked all the way through to your final destination.

Note: Don’t forget about the 3-1-1 rule! The 3-1-1 rule states that you cannot bring any liquid or gel that’s more than three ounces, and these must be carried in one quart-sized clear, zip-lock baggie. We love the reusable kind for this purpose (find them at eBags and Timbuk2).

When packing carry-on only may not work for you:

Carry-on travel is possible even during extended or long-term travel (thanks mostly to the laundry tip!), but there are situations in which it just may not be practical, such as 1) during winter vacations, for which bulky snow or ski wear or multiple layers are needed, or 2) during adventure travel, during which a wide-variety of clothing types will be needed (think hiking gear and snorkeling gear, or 3) during multi-climate travel, during which several drastic weather changes may necessitate bringing both winter and summer wear.

Photo credit: Flickr/m01229

Budget airlines: Tips and tricks for a smooth flight

November 26, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

With a family of five, we often fly on budget airlines, and while abroad, budget airlines in Europe. While we certainly enjoy the comforts and perks enjoyed on higher-priced air carriers, on many trips, the savings on these low cost flights outweigh the lack of perks. However, it’s important for families to know what to expect (or more accurately, what not to expect) when buying budget airline tickets in order to have a pleasant flight.

Tip #1: Book directly through the budget airlines.

Go ahead and find deals on an airfare deal finder like Kayak or CheapOAir (we use them all the time!), but then click over to the budget airline’s website and look for the same flight to book directly. Why? We found out the hard way after booking a Frontier Airlines flight through CheapOAir. We found ourselves with an extra carry-on item (a homemade souvenir our son Tobias had crafted and couldn’t part with), and had to pay to bring it onboard, even though he didn’t have any additional carry ons with him. Had we booked through Frontier directly, we would have been entitled to free carry-ons*. It’s also helpful to book directly through the airline website when you find yourself in need of extra help at check in, or have any routing issue. Just like when booking hotel rooms, brands are happier to help their loyal customers. Buying through a second-party site screams ‘deal finder’ not ‘loyal flier’.

*Check Frontier for current carry-on baggage policies.

Tip #2: Consider upgrading to priority boarding:

I know, I know, the whole reason you’re booking a budget airline is to save money! But when you buy the bare bones ticket on airlines such as Allegiant, for example, you’re almost guaranteed to find yourself at the end of the boarding line. If you’re carrying on bags, you’re likely to have them re-directed to checked baggage. If this is ok with you (hey, free checked bag!), then do not upgrade to priority boarding. But if having your bags with you is important (we usually want to get going immediately upon landing, not wait for bags), upgrade!

Tip #3: Read the fine print regarding carry-on bags:

Remember our Frontier flight? On many budget airlines (including Frontier and Spirit, last time I flew both these carriers), there is a charge for carry-on baggage. There are exceptions: travelers who book directly through the airline are often entitled to free carry ons, but you have to read the rules…which change regularly. Southwest still offers free carry ons and even two free checked bag for travelers who book directly through their site, for example. Always do your research, and find out if the budget airline you’re considering has a partner airline, such as Delta, American, and Alaska. If so, your loyalty mileage plan membership may entitle you to free carry-ons or checked luggage.

Tip #4: Book two one-way tickets to save money, and search by single passenger.

Because most budget airlines are regional, they often offer extremely cheap fare on select days of the week. Use the airline’s fare calendar or ‘flexible dates’ tool (like the one below) to find the cheapest days to fly. Compare the cost of two one-way tickets vs round trip fare. Likewise, if you have older kids who can sit alone if needed (best for short flights), always check ‘one passenger’ when searching for fares, even if you’re shopping for your whole family. Airline ticket generators find the lowest fare in the seating tier that accommodates your whole party, so if there are two remaining lowest fare seats, but four people in your group, all four of you will be ‘upgraded’ to the next lowest fare tier. If two budget seats and two slightly more expensive ones will be ok with you, check ‘one passenger’ when searching.

Tip #5: Consider paying more for long haul flights.

When our whole family traveled to Cancun last year, we flew on (now-defunct) Air Tran. We got a great fare, but the brutal truth is, our red-eye, five-plus hour flight across the country from the Pacific Northwest was pretty miserable on a bare-bones airplane. Forget about food service (or even complementary drink service), or comfortable seats or decent in-flight entertainment. We don’t mind skipping these perks on a shorter flight, but for a few more hundred dollars, we would have been far happier on a higher-priced air carrier for this long flight.

If you take heed of the tips above, it’s entirely possible to have a happy, contented flight on a budget airline, and save money to boot. We’ve happily flown Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Southwest without issue, when we knew what we were getting, booked directly, and leveraged our bigger budget frequent flier reward memberships where possible.

Teaching kids airplane etiquette: how to create good fliers

July 22, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

We’ve all been there, either as parents or innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire: a disastrous flight during which kids are causing more than their share of trouble. Sometimes it’s unavoidable: a tired baby a parent is trying to console, a sick child, a long layover. Other times–and I know you’ve seen this–kids behaving badly on planes when it’s avoidable with a few lessons in manners. When teaching kids airplane etiquette, we suggest the following while flying with kids:

Kids Airplane Etiquette:

1. Find your seat quickly. I don’t know if it’s just my kids, but there’s always a lot of debate over who’s going to sit where in our assigned seats. I’ve taught them to go straight to the seat listed on their ticket first, to get out of the aisle, and to swap places after the rest of the passengers have gotten on.

2. Wheel your rollie-bag properly. No carry-on luggage wars in the terminal, kids! Games of chicken and extreme rolling are not permitted in our family…anymore. I’m tired of my toes getting rolled over and the looks of disgust issued by business travelers.

3. Clean up trash. I instruct my kids to place snack trash into their cup, then hand the whole thing to the flight attendant. Getting out of the habit of putting anything–including trash–into the seat pocket ensures we don’t leave anything we need behind, like chargers or iPods.

4. Say hello to flight attendants when you board. Thank them as you deplane. Required. Enough said.

5. No kicking the seat in front of you.Whoa boy, is this a big one. And sometimes, it’s not the kid’s fault, if his or her legs are just the right (or wrong) length. Our kids know to tuck toes down or even sit ‘criss-cross applesauce’ to avoid the seat kicking issue. It’s a toughie.

Tips for parents:

1. Try to board early. Even if your kids are out of the age range that (sometimes) ensures pre-boarding, line up as soon as you’re able to based on your seat assignment. This will give you more time to stow carry-on baggage in the bulkhead while the main cabin is less crowded.

2. Prepare kids with a great eBook: Monsters Don’t Ride on Airplanes. Check out the screen shot of this adorable book below! We read it recently, and I think it’s a great tool to use with young kids. The simple story shows various silly-looking monsters on airplanes, doing everything wrong. Then is shows a girl and boy doing things right, with the message that well-behaved kids get to ride on airplanes and go to fun places (while monsters are left behind).

3. Avoid red-eye flights unless you know your kids will sleep. No one likes a crying baby. There’s little that’s more miserable on a plane than a red-eye during which young kids cannot sleep. We’ve been tempted by lower cost red-eye flights, but because our kids are not good sleepers on airplanes, we’ve learned to avoid them. Fly when your kids are at their best. If that time happens to be when they’re asleep…hey, we don’t judge!

4. Help security flow more smoothly. We almost always fly carry-on only, which means everyone has toiletries that may have 3 ounce containers. To make it easier on everyone when we go through security, I consolidate these items so they’re all in just one quart-sized bag. (Everyone’s tooth brushes, hair ties, and other non-liquid cosmetics and toiletries can remain in each person’s carry-on.) When we go through security, each kid knows he can place his backpack and his carry-on onto the belt without getting anything out.

5. Eat on the plane. Hey, it’s something to do, and it keeps kids happy. We’ve found that in most cases, purchasing a meal on a plane is no more expensive than purchasing a similar meal in the airport. And this way, we don’t have to carry a bag of food onboard. My kids love simple meals like fruit and cheese plates or snack baskets, and I love that they’re entertained by the novelty of airplane food for a few minutes. Plus for parents: Alaska Airlines flights offer complimentary local wines and craft brews for the adults!

6. Bring a headphone splitter. For some reason, it highly annoys me when parents set their kids up with a movie or cartoon on a plane, and subject the entire cabin to the audio. Are there worse things? Sure, but this problem is easily solved by buying a cheap headphone splitter and using kids headphones.

What are your top tips for airplane etiquette?

Open letter to the airline industry

June 8, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

Dear Airline Industry,

I know you’re hurting. I know money is tight these days (trust me), and I know new ways of ‘packaging’ airfare is required in this economy. I also know that I’d like to ride out the turbulence of these tough times with you. I’ve been in love with air travel since I munched my first honey-roasted peanut at 10,000 feet at the age of seven, and like many, many other families, sharing my love of air travel with my own children is important to me.

But you’re making it hard to stick by you. At a time when luxury resorts and cruise ships across the world are rolling out the red carpet for kids (I have personally worked with Expedia.com, Omni Resorts, and Preferred Hotels in their efforts to create family-friendly programs and offerings), you’re making it increasingly difficult for families to arrive at their destination. I’d say that traveling families are the ones suffering, but the truth is, airlines are shooting themselves in the foot.

How so? Let’s start with this month’s headliner: airlines charging for ‘premium’ coach seats. Premium…coach? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Before you hold families hostage in this manner, follow the trail of logic: who typically pays for airline upgrades? Business travelers. Solo travelers. Couples celebrating a special occasion like a honeymoon. Not family travelers, I can assure you. When I shop flights for my family of five, I’m looking for the best deal, and nothing more. After all, I still need to shelter, feed, and entertain my motley crew all vacation long.

So let’s apply this logic to an actual scenario: Business traveler Joe has upgraded his coach seat to premium level. (I’m trying not to laugh, really.) He’s happily sitting in his aisle seat for which he’s paid an extra $44. Single Traveling Parent Jane, her preschooler, and her toddler walk down the aisle to find their seats. Because Jane has not (and would never) pay to upgrade her seats, she has two middle seats and one window, necessitating a separation from at least one small child. As this is logistically ridiculous, the call to action falls on poor Business Traveler Joe, who has two choices, neither of which are attractive: 1. vacate the seat he just paid extra for, to allow Jane’s family to stay together, or 2. hold his ground, and entertain an unaccompanied toddler for the duration of the flight. Airline, you’ve accomplished two things here: you’ve angered Joe, who’s probably a frequent flyer and loyal customer, and you’ve upset Jane (who probably tweets). But wait, you have your $44, so you’re good.

There’s more. Because you’re charging for premium seats, Airline, and separating family groups, family travelers now have to pack more carry-on luggage. And you know you already think we pack too much! As a family travel writer, I’ve long advocated packing carry-on only or one carry-on per family (you’re welcome), but because I now have to plan for the contingency that my school-aged children will sit apart from me, each child needs his or her own backpack full of entertainment (and food…don’t get me started on that). More carry-on bags mean a greater burden on the already overloaded overhead luggage compartments (which, of course, is due to fees placed on checked luggage, but we won’t go there, either). So in this second scenario, in which I’ve boarded your plane with five carry-ons instead of one, what you get is increased stress, chaos, and crowds in your already over-stressed cabin. Not only are your overworked flight attendants negotiating my seats with disgruntled business travelers, but they’re now also trying to stuff my backpacks into bins. Backpacks that would not have existed had you not 1. charged me for checked bags (whoops, I went there) and 2. charged me to sit with my kids.

Airline, I’m not mad. Really. Some family-friendly airlines I love quite dearly. Mostly, I’m worried for you. You can run all the flashy promotions you’d like (some of your kids fly free deals are excellent), but at the end of the day, families won’t remember what deal you’re running on your website. They won’t care how convenient you made online check-in or how shiny your homepage is. They’re accustomed to the ordeal of security, and they’re even planning on you losing their luggage. What they will remember: the seven circles of hell you did or did not put them through in order to get from Point A to Point B.

Family travel is only gaining in popularity. The industry brands I work with every day, from eco-tour operations to luxury resorts, know this. But the travel industry cycle we’re all a part of only works if we can get where we’re going.

Please get on-board. We miss the family-friendly skies.

Sincerely,

A Family Travel Writer