The inevitable crush of holiday passengers is about to descend on every airport, bus station and train terminal.
And here’s fair warning: The upcoming travel season will be different from past ones in several important ways. You’ll need a survival guide:
1. Most of us will only travel if we have to.
That’s the assessment of Juline Mills, who teaches at the University of New Haven’s department of hospitality management. Mills predicts more people will cruise, because it’s “the best deal in travel.”
Survival strategy: Steer clear of a cruise vacation. You’ll avoid the crowds.
2. Last-minute is in.
The 2009 holiday travel season will see more 11th-hour getaways than ever, said Helen Fullem, president of The Crown Collection, a Paramus, N.J.-based marketing group for luxury hotels. Many travelers aren’t deciding on a holiday destination until days before their departure.
Survival strategy: For the best flight and hotel options, book at least a week in advance, if not more.
3. Try not to miss your flight.
If you do, you might be unable to catch another plane until 2010. Airlines have cut their schedules to the point where every last seat is spoken for.
Survival strategy: Call your airline to double-check your departure time, and give yourself plenty of time to check in at the airport.
4. You’ll probably pay a luggage fee.
It’s safe to say more travelers than ever will pay extra to transport their luggage and presents during the 2009 holidays than at any other time. Airlines have discovered their money tree, and its name is baggage fees.
Susan Foster, author of “Smart Packing for Today’s Traveler,” predicts air travelers will try to consolidate their bags to avoid additional fees. Expect to see more “bin rage” as passengers fight for increasingly scarce overhead space.
Her advice? Weigh your bag beforehand, familiarize yourself with the airline’s luggage policies and ship any gifts ahead.
Survival strategy: Bring only a carry-on bag.
5. It’s a Wi-Fi world up there.
Mike Benjamin, the chief executive of FlightView, a developer of phone applications for travelers, said chances are better than ever that you’ll be able to access a hotspot on your plane and have access to flight information.
Survival strategy: Pack your phone in your carry-on bag. You may need it.
There’s still a “peak season,” the two weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year’s, when you may not find a room or flight, according to Scott Berman, a hotel analyst at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Even with a preponderance of bargains, you still have to shop carefully. A travel agent can help you determine if a deal’s really a deal.
The 2009 holidays may be unlike any we’ve ever seen, so pack these survival tips — or don’t pack at all.
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