Too stressed to fly? Check out these tips to fly friendly again!

#1 TSA Pre-check

Are you ready to travel but air travel stresses you out with all the gates, security and not knowing what to pack? Welcome to #1 in a series of three on traveling like a guru! I’m sharing my top five tips here on the blog, and you can see the full length video here: https://youtu.be/X2GaAB-N5fI My number one tip, is you have to get TSA-precheck! The average wait time in security (according to the TSA website) is five minutes. Yep, FIVE! After waiting in Orlando security with my three small kids for over an hour once as a single mom, I still have nightmares! TSA pre-check is $85 for three years and well worth it! No more taking off shoes, belts, coats or taking out your laptop or liquids! And for parents? Your kids get to go through the pre-check line with you at no additional cost! If you fly at least 1-2 times a year, sooooo worth it!

#2 Booking Tips

Let’s cut to the chase! Tuesday’s are traditionally the cheapest days to book and Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest to fly. If you can make your trip somewhat flexible, you will save a ton! Click on the month long calendar when on the airline site and it is amazing the price difference in just a few days. You also want to avoid seasonal peaks in costs like Thanksgiving and Christmas! I once flew with my hubby the first week in December for $100 roundtrip for BOTH of us! Two weeks later, that same trip was four times as much! Holiday aside, typically your best rate is going to be about four to six weeks out of your trip, so the early bird does not necessarily get the worm. Or cheap flight!

#3 The Personal Item Bag

All airlines allow you to fly with a “personal item,” FREE but most travelers don’t take advantage of all this has to offer. Sure, you could take a purse or a coat, but work it, smarter girl! You can take a personal item suitcase with wheels and retractable handle and sail through your trip with enough items packed smartly for a weekend or longer, and for FREE! Be sure to check each airlines measurements, and it must fit under the seat. I have learned to pack like a guru and I can get a trip’s worth in easily. Here is the personal item suitcase I have used for over five years: https://amzn.to/2RKhdCz It has two internal pockets that hold so much, and two front pockets that are perfect for your phone, wallet, water bottle, etc. I also love a small zippered pocket at the top that I stick my phone battery charger in as well as glasses, masks, etc. It truly is bang for your buck!

#4 Top small Airline: Allegiant!

I’ve often heard online scuttle regarding Allegiant, but having traveled Allegiant about four to five times a year the last five years, it is hands down my favorite. I find there is little difference in the plane, seats, and customer service, yet has crazy good prices most of the time. The downside? Yes, they try to get you to upgrade to purchase seats and more baggage allowances. I NEVER purchase the seats. My experience has been checking in exactly twenty four hours ahead, has always given me assigned seats next to my husband. I forgot to check in one time in five years until later, and my husband sat in the seat in front of me. As for the baggage charges, we never check or take a carry on. We always take our personal items bags and with efficient packing, it has always been sufficient and we reap the rewards with the cheap flights! You can see all my packing tips here: https://youtu.be/RBjfNQGP2A4 We also use the Allegiant card which gives us priority boarding, free drinks and great points for travel! I typically get $20-50 off of every flight depending on how much I used my card prior.

#5 Top large Airline: Southwest!

Okay, you just can’t consolidate your bags enough or your trip is too long for just a personal item. You absolutely cannot beat Southwest. You get TWO checked bags, a carry on AND your personal item all FREE. You can surely bring the kitchen sink! While Southwest’s prices can’t usually compete with Allegiant, their Wanna Get A Way fares often do! Again, flexibility is key! Click on the month long calendars and you can often find the Get A Way fares for $99! On top of that, they offer free texting and movies in air and you can purchase regualr WIFI for $8. It does feel friendly when I am TikTok-ing my way across the skies!

I’m ready! Give me more!

Okay, now you are packing your bags as we speak! Yay you! You can see more of these tips in the three part “Travel like a Guru” series on my YouTube channel. Leave me a comment and let me know if you liked the tips or have one to share with us! Enjoy getting back to life! Watch all the tips here: https://youtu.be/X2GaAB-N5fI