December 14, 2021
Prepping for Holiday Travel
If you’re traveling over the holidays this year, you’re probably searching for some guidance or some helpful tips for you to get to your destination without ending up on the naughty list. After all, even without large numbers of people joining you on the road or in the sky, it can be tricky, especially right now. If the last two years have taught us anything about traveling, it is the importance of being prepared.
To help you and your family spend your holidays at your destination instead of stuck in the security line, here are some tips on best practices for holiday travel.
Choose the Best Day to Travel
Choosing the right day for holiday travel is important. For Christmas travel, the best date for the best deals is Tuesday, December 21. The worst day to travel? Priceline reports the Wednesday before Christmas, December 22, and the Tuesday between Christmas and New Year’s, December 28.
Leaving a day or two early and staying a day later can save you a lot of money and time spent in transit. If you and your family are up for it, consider flying on the holiday itself, when air traffic is lighter, and prices are lower.
Don’t Wrap Gifts Before Flying
Traveling with gifts? Don’t wrap them, regardless of whether you are putting them in your carry-on luggage or checked baggage. If the TSA decides they need to inspect your items (which they probably will), they will have to unwrap them. When planning to give bottles of wine or any form of liquid as a gift, make sure to pack them in checked baggage, as it will exceed liquid limits for carry-on bags and be rejected at security.
Research COVID-19 Requirements
We get it, no one wants to talk about it anymore. But regardless of how we feel, this is the world we live in. With that being said, every state is handling COVID precautions differently. In places like New York City, in order to dine indoors, you must have proof of vaccination or a negative test result within the last 72 hours.
Proof requirements will vary by city and state, too, so make sure to do your due diligence before leaving. Some other things that should be on your COVID checklist for your holiday travels:
- If traveling to a vaccine-mandated area, make sure to take a picture of your vaccination card, and then put the card in a bag or in an openable plastic protector. You’ll need the actual card at the airport to check-in, but most restaurants/places accept a picture of it as proof. There are also apps on your phone that can keep track of your status.
- Bring an at-home test with you, if possible. It is considered the “cold season.” In the case you are not feeling well, having an at-home test can verify if it is COVID or just simply a common cold.
- Be sure to pack masks, hand sanitizer, and anything else that you may need while traveling to your destination.
Make Sure to Have Travel Insurance
The pandemic has not only impacted our day-to-day lives but more so how we travel. Just remember that travel insurance policies ONLY apply to contracting COVID-19 and being quarantined, before or during your trip. For those traveling internationally, as of December 6th, all travelers will be required to have a negative test no later than a day if you are entering back into the U.S.
Travel-delay coverage can also be beneficial if you or a fellow traveler is quarantined and is unable to return home as scheduled. With that being said, things such as missing your flight due to long security lines, your passport not arriving, not getting a negative COVID test in time, or not wanting to travel due to vaccine requirements or general health concerns are not covered under most standard cancellation policy’s.
At Talking Rock, we love the holidays, and we love when members get the chance to see their loved ones. The world is a little crazy right now, we want to make sure our members are fully prepared for anything.
So, whether you are traveling or staying home, Talking Rock wants to wish you and your family a fun, and safe holiday!