6 Little Known Airline Travel Secrets

Travel Secret #1 - Immediate Help For A Cancelled Flight As discussed in my previous article, if you find yourself in a situation where your flight is cancelled or delayed, don't get in line, get on the phone. There's a short window of time available to get in there and secure the best seat or a seat to your destination while this new variable (the canceled or delayed flight) is being absorbed by the airline's scheduling system. In my experience, if you wait more than 5 or 10 minutes, many of the available resources have been secured by those at the front of the line. If you are within the first 5 people to the counter, you're likely in good shape but otherwise, get on the phone. The agent that you speak with at on the other end of the phone can probably do everything that the desk agents can - and you'll typically find them friendly and happy to help! Travel Secret #2 - A very Relaxing Ride Home Here's a great tip for business travelers headed home on the last day of your travels. This is especially helpful if it's been a long day which usually is the case! After you've checked in at the airport, slip into the rest room and put on a fresh pair of socks. You're feet will thank you and you'll definitely remember how great it felt! I take it even further - when I'm at the hotel packing my suitcase in the morning, I always make sure a pair of jeans, socks and my running shoes are easily accessible. This is important when changing in the cramped quarters of a bathroom stall! Travel Tip #3 - Airport Etiquette There is absolutely nothing wrong with brushing your teeth in the restroom at the airport! When I first saw someone doing this, my initial instinct was, "Hey, that's not right!" - but it so very much is. There's nothing wrong with it and your dentist and fellow travelers will appreciate it! Travel Secret #4 - Prevent Your Bag From Being "Gate Checked" This tip has a much higher success rate if you're seated up front ("Up front" if you don't already know, is airline-speak for "first class".) If you are late to board because on your first flight you weren't able to take advantage of Essential Travel Tip #5 or #6, and there is no more overhead space, get the attention of a flight attendant and in your most gracious, humble, and appreciative tone, ask if there is any way, they could possibly stow ("stow" - key word - indicates you fly a lot) your bag in "the closet". Make sure you ask softly as this is kind of a secret request and secret potential favor - there is not room in "the closet" for everyone's bag. You won't believe it the first time you have one flight attendant tell you there is no space and your bag must be "gate checked" (read: an extra 45 minute delay after you land) and then you manage to have a different flight attendant stow it in the closet for you - It WILL happen. Travel Secret #5 - Breeze Through Security When I enter the TSA line to go through security, I temporarily stow my mobile phone, change, and anything else that might set off the detector in my laptop bag. I'm always amazed at the number of travelers who fumble around and put all of this stuff in the plastic bin or bowl to be scanned separately - and then have one more thing to retrieve on the other side. It's simpler and more secure to just put this stuff away before you get up there! Travel Secret #6 - How To Sit in the Front Row Of Coach - Regardless Of Your Seat Assignment I cannot believe I'm divulging one of the greatest travel secrets of them all and one that works with an unbelievably high success rate. Typically, all airlines hold the first row of coach (referred to as "the bulkhead") by not assigning this space during normal seat selection. They typically "release" the bulkhead only at the gate (not at the airline counter) which is during the hour before your flight time. I don't know the exact policy reason they do this but it makes sense to have space to put a child or handicapped passenger or maybe an airline employee at the last minute - in a seat with easy access on and off the plane. For frequent travelers, the front row in coach is key real estate mainly because from there, you can potentially be in your car headed home (or making your next connection) well before those travelers sitting further back have "deplaned." Here's how it works: If you have a lousy seat, go to the counter and ask if there is a seat closer to the front and - in your most gracious, humble, and appreciative tone, ask if they have "released the bulkhead" by any chance. I literally have a higher than 50% success rate with this - it's ridiculous. I'll show up to board a full flight on a 767 with a lousy seat assignment and find myself in the front row of coach, aisle seat, with my feet in first class - happens all the time and it will for you too! I hope these tips make your travel more tolerable and who knows, maybe even enjoyable! There's more to come so be sure to subscribe to Travel Secrets at Hotels-OnSale.com so that you receive them in your inbox as they are published! This service is completely free, your email is held in the strictest of confidence, and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. 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