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It's starting to look like a busy airport and holiday season.
The most wonderful time of the year can quickly become the most stressed time of the year at the airport, and many travelers will have little ones with them.
If winter weather doesn't cooperate, a logjam of holiday flyers can cause crowding, lines and some tense moments.
It doesn't have to be your family that is stressed out at the check-in counter with an overweight bag or racing through the terminal trying to catch a flight.
You and your family can be the travelers that are relaxing in an airport lounge and avoiding bag fees, with a solid backup plan in the event of an issue with flight operations.
How to save money on holidays.
It's too late to add a new credit card to your wallet, but the season isn't over yet. Some of our favorite cards have holiday perks.
If you already have a credit card in your wallet, you can check it out. A priority line for airline customer service and the hope of a holiday upgrade are some of the benefits of having a credit card that protects you from bag fees. If you have a credit card that gives you a statement credit for your inflight purchases, you can board early.
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You can get a free checked bag on Delta flights if you have the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card. If you want a perfect Southwest seat, you can get four upgraded boarding positions per year with the Southwest Rapid rewards performance business credit card.
If you have a credit card, you can use it to cover the cost of a meal at the airport or access the airport lounges.
You can still use a digital membership card if you get a last-minute credit card with a Priority Pass membership.
A last-minute The Platinum Card® from American Express with an instant card number is the best way to get into an American Express lounge. For certain benefits, you must enroll.
Checked baggage fees on major domestic airlines can be avoided.
I know, this sounds like your parents talking, but running late for your flight is the most stress-inducing thing that can happen to you. Don't do it during the holidays if your next flight is too full for you to switch to another flight.
It's a good idea to take the first flight of the day. If you want to get a jump on the day and book the early bird, you should know that early morning flights are the most likely to have been cleaned overnight. It's important to get out in the morning if you notice bad weather forecasts.
There are a few things you can do to change your flight for free.
Travelers swear by the idea of staying calm during the holidays.
If you have kids at the airport, it's a good idea to check everything, even if you don't want to. If you check your bags, your hands are free, you don't have to worry about early boarding, as overhead bin space isn't a problem, and you don't have to stress over the security screening process.
If the bags are slow to come down the baggage claim, you can get bonus miles if you check them. You can skip the baggage claim completely and have your checked bags delivered to your final destination if you want to push the easy button.
Remember to put an AirTag in your bag so you can keep an eye on it.
Sometimes it can be cheaper to ship packages to your final destination if you strategically check or carry on a bag.
Shipping can be a good decision if you have to pay oversized baggage fees. If you want to do your own drop-off or doorstep pickup, you can try the site Lug Less. Allow extra time because shipping delays are worse than usual.
There are the best suitcases.
Is it possible to bring wrapped gifts through security? It is a bad idea if the Transportation Security Administration needs to inspect what is inside.
Is it possible to travel with a snow globe? The liquid needs to be 3.4 ounces or less to fit in a quart-size bag. Don't use that snow globe.
You can bring fruitcake, sufganiyot or cookies through security, but you might want to put it in its own tray for inspection. As you head home for the holidays, here are the types of food you can bring through the airport.
Even if you leave the snow globes at home, PreCheck isn't always enough to get you through security as quickly as you'd like. I am interested in Denver and Newark. Clear is the only way to get all the security options you want. We have a guide to get and use Clear.
If you see the regular security line crawling along slower than you want, you can apply for Clear at the airport without committing in advance.
You can receive Clear for free with the up to $189 in Clear statement credits on the Amex Platinum card. The American Express Green Card has an annual statement credit of $189 and can be used for everything. Kids can use Clear for free with you, and additional adults can be added to your main plan for $60 a year.
You can get a two-month free trial of Clear if you use the code "TPG2M". If you are a Delta or United frequent flyer, you can get Clear for a cheaper price.
You can reserve a time to go through security at some airports if you don't have Clear.
The points guy collected the information for the Amex Green Card. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.
The airport lounges are for smart people. Don't get stuck at the gate if you don't want to be. On your holiday trip, get yourself into a lounge and enjoy some food and drinks.
If the whole family is flying for the holidays, you should look for lounges that have family rooms.
If you want to lounge in the best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S., here are the top ones. The Platinum Card from American Express is one of the best cards to use.
Even if you have a tight connection, there is a new grab and go United Club Fly outpost in Denver. There is a Capital One Lounge at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport if you have a Capital One credit card.
The best credit cards for airport lounges.
There are some tips for packing that are tailored to parents traveling with young children.
You should bring your own food, comfort items and entertainment on board if you are flying alone or with a basketball team. It is best to be self reliant if you are traveling in economy.
Even though airlines have resumed their inflight food and beverage service, you will want to be prepared since all that is offered on many routes is cold snack boxes.
Even if the airline doesn't have anything to offer you beyond a small seat, you'll be all set, even if you don't have anything to eat or drink.
The best US airlines for family travel.
If you're stuck at an airport for a long time, you may be able to catch a winter holiday show at one of the airports. The free ice skating rink at the airport in Denver is ready for travelers who may have some time to use up.
If you have a credit card, some airports have game lounges, nap lounges and more. If you check out our guide to lounges at DFW, you will find a lot of fun ways to spend your time at the airport.
The holidays are an exciting time, but an airport or crowded plane isn't always the most magical part of the experience. You will survive your holiday travels if you make a few strategic choices and pack your wallet correctly.
Benét J. Wilson and Melanie Lieberman report additional information.
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