Photo by Robert Landau
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The Contrarian Traveler
Fly Right
By Peter Greenberg, November & December 2008
Worried holiday air travel will be ho-ho-horrific? Follow these dos and don'ts to save time and money (and ease seasonal stress)
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MONEY
DON’T fly nonstop Yes, connections add to your travel time, but as the airlines offer fewer flights, nonstops are becoming more expensive. If you’re serious about saving money, consider a stop. Example: I recently went online and found a Delta nonstop from Los Angeles International (LAX) to JFK in New York City. The cost: $729. That same trip dropped to $505 with a stop in Atlanta. Likewise, a nonstop flight from Chicago to Orlando on United cost $489. It’s $388 if you stop in Washington, D.C. Just give yourself at least an hour and 45 minutes between flights so you don’t miss your connection.
DO fly on holidays If you want to fly direct and still save some cash, book the first flight of the day on Thanksgiving morning. Chances are, you’ll save a bundle.
STRESS
DO avoid the major airports Look for alternatives—you’ll save time and money, and avoid holiday chaos. Going to San Francisco? Consider Oakland International—it’s close by, less crowded, and less likely to be affected by Bay Area fog. My secret airport in the New York City area: Islip MacArthur in Ronkonkoma, Long Island. From the airport it’s an 80-minute Long Island Railroad trip to Penn Station (not a whole lot longer than a cab ride from JFK to the city). For info go to www.alternateairports.com.
DO pamper yourself At 10 Minute Manicure (866-530-5110) you can get your nails done or a quick massage. Look for the company at Washington Dulles and JFK, among other airports. Or, try XpresSpa (212-750-9595); it has 36 airport locations.
TIME
Quick—Use Your Miles!
Redeeming frequent-flier miles is tough, but between now and late February, 2009 (excluding Christmas blackout dates), you’ll have a better shot at cashing them in. The winter is a slow travel period, and many folks are staying home, so seats will be plentiful on flights to Europe and Asia.
DON’T check bags I haven’t checked a bag on a domestic flight in years. Instead, I take my luggage to FedEx and pay for shipping to my hotel. The cheapest way to do this: FedEx ground service. You can send a 40-pound suitcase with three-day ground service, one way, from New York City to Miami, for under $30. New York City to Los Angeles, which takes four days, is about $42. Most airlines now charge $15 to check one bag, $25 for the second, so the ground fees are comparable.
DON’T follow the crowd Early morning flight? If a friend drops you off, don’t go to the departures level. Another option: If you’re not checking bags, go to the arrivals area. No one’s there at 6:30 in the morning, and you’ll save at least ten minutes in traffic. If you return on an evening flight, have your friends pick you up at the departures level.
Find Peter Greenberg Q&As and videos on AARP.org
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