Airport Tips: Mistakes to Avoid at the Airport
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re sharing some of the don’ts for traveling through the airport. From check-in to baggage claim, these are the mistakes to avoid as you begin or end your next vacation!
Don’t Forget to Check Which Airport You’re Flying From
Many cities have multiple airports, and often, the budget airlines fly from airports that are further from the city. New York has three main airports, for example. You could be flying out of JFK, LaGuardia or Newark. Don’t lose extra time by going to the wrong airport on the day of your flight!
Likewise, when buying your ticket, don’t forget to check the other airports. You might get a better deal by flying into a different airport. Just make sure you always take additional costs into account! Don’t save $40 on a flight to a remote airport only to spend $50 on a taxi getting into town. This applies to your departure as well. We have two airports relatively close to us; one has free parking and the other charges for parking. It’s worth it for us to drive a little extra to save money on parking, especially on a long trip!
Don’t Assume Economy Parking is the Best Option
The long trek to economy parking isn’t always worth the money. The shuttles don’t always run frequently, so it could take a long time to get to your car. For a short trip where we’re only saving $10 or so, we think it’s worth it to upgrade the parking. Wherever you park, make sure you snap a picture of your parking spot so you can find it easily when you return.
Don’t Park at a Random Hotel for Free Parking
You might think you can sneak into one of the nearby airport hotel parking lots and take their shuttle to the airport. Don’t do it. Most hotels offer a park and fly option, so they definitely keep track of which cars belong and which don’t.
Don’t Arrive Last-Minute
Some airlines close the check-in gate up to 45 minutes prior to departure. If you are checking bags and you miss the cutoff, you’ll have to rebook for a later flight. Once you’re through security, don’t dawdle finding your gate. The doors will close 20 minutes before the departure time on your ticket.
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Don’t Pick the Wrong Check-In Line
Many airlines have multiple check-in lines to address various situations. One may be just a bag drop line, while others have full-service check-in. Don’t be afraid to ask someone if you’re in the right line. You can also use the kiosks or curbside check-in to check in and tag your bags. Curbside check-in is the best!
Don’t Act Shocked at Overweight Luggage
Each country has a different luggage weight limit, so you have to research all of the places you are visiting. If your bag is deemed to be overweight, you may have to pay extra or shuffle your belongings to balance the weight. Better yet, follow our best travel advice and pack light!
With your carry-ons, make sure your carry-on luggage fits the required dimensions. Some airlines are very strict and will charge you extra if they consider your carry-on to be oversized. If they suggest you gate check your carry-on, just do it. It will save a lot of time if you give them your bag before boarding.
Don’t Forget the TSA Rules
TSA rules can change so make sure you’re up to date on the latest rules for your origin and destination. Don’t hold up the line with your full-size shampoo bottles and freshly purchased sodas. Do your best to be prepared for a smooth screening by wearing shoes that are easy to take off and put on. Have your laptop easily accessible for the screening. It goes without saying, but don’t make jokes around TSA. They don’t take jokes lightly!
Don’t Feel Bad About Being at the Bar at 8 am.
The airport is kind of a timeless and lawless place. Nobody will even bat an eye at drinking a beer in the morning. As the saying goes, “it’s 5:00 somewhere!” Just make sure you get your bill right away so you don’t have to wait for it.
Don’t Block Traffic in the Terminal
Walking through the airport is just like driving. Slower walkers stay to the right so faster walkers can pass on the left. And don’t ever just stop in the middle of the concourse. If you need to stop, step to the side and figure it out. The same goes for escalators and moving sidewalks. If you’re not in a hurry, step aside so those who are in a hurry can get by you.
Don’t Expect to Have Electrical Outlets
More airports are increasing the number of electrical outlets available to travelers, but it’s best to have a backup plan rather than count on being able to access an outlet or charging station. Not all of them work, either. It’s always a good idea to have a backup battery on hand.
Don’t Forget to Keep Checking the Boards
You might get to your gate and go into autopilot mode. But gates change, and the announcements aren’t always super clear. Make sure you periodically check the boards or the airline app on your phone to make sure you’re still at the correct gate. It’s also important to listen to the gate announcements; don’t ignore the gate agents, as they might be sharing important information.
Don’t Forget to Download the Airline App
Having the app of your airline is essential on travel day. You can use your mobile boarding passes, track your luggage, and receive notifications of delays and boarding by group numbers. You can also get perks like free Wi-Fi through the app on some airlines.
Don’t Book a Short Layover
If you are traveling internationally, you will typically need to clear passport control at the first airport you land in. So, you need to make sure your layover is long enough to account for this process. You might even have to retrieve your luggage and recheck it.
Don’t Overestimate the Lounges
Not all airport lounges are created equally. These days, many of the lounges are so full that it doesn’t feel any different than the main terminal. The food can be picked over or not replenished, so it’s not always worth the extra cost. Of course, if you have complimentary access through a credit card or status, go for it! They are great for super long layovers.
Don’t Lose Your Cool
Don’t yell at any of the airline or TSA agents. They’re all just doing their job of enforcing and following the rules. The frontline workers are rarely the ones responsible for the decisions that impact you. The airlines are pushing back against this kind of behavior, and yelling at their staff can earn you a spot on the no-fly list.
While gate agents can be very helpful, there are some things they just can’t do. Don’t give them a hard time for something that’s out of their control. One thing they cannot do is reopen the boarding gates. Once they are closed, they are closed.
Don’t Be Gate Lice
Everyone is always in a hurry to get on board and claim the overhead space. But pretty much every airline boards by group, so wait until your group is called to approach the gate. Don’t slow the process down by getting in the way of people who are legitimately trying to board. If you try to board with an earlier group, you might get sent to the back of the line.
Don’t Be Unprepared at the Gate
When it’s your turn to board, have everything out and ready to hand over to the gate agent. If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll need your passport out. You’ll need your boarding pass, so have it out or have it already open on your phone. Don’t hold up the process by being unprepared.
Don’t Beg for an Upgrade
Airlines have made status pretty easy to achieve, so there are more high-tier travelers than ever before. It’s ok to ask for an upgrade, but never expect one. And certainly don’t take it out on the gate agent; it’s all handled by an algorithm, so there’s not much they can do about it.
Don’t Judge People for Running to The Gates
There’s always one person running through the airport, on the verge of missing their flight. It can be easy to roll your eyes and judge them for being late, but you never know what caused this. Their connecting flight could have been delayed. Don’t judge them; it could easily be you next time!
Don’t Accept Rides Outside the Airport
Most airports have an official taxi stand that will assign you to a taxi driver. However, a lot of airports also have independent taxi drivers approaching passengers as they exit the airport. It’s not worth the risk of a scam to just pick a random taxi. Don’t be afraid to hire a driver if that makes you feel better. They can meet you inside and escort you out to a waiting vehicle.
Don’t Forget to Research Public Transportation
Taxis are convenient, but in some places they can be ridiculously expensive. There are always other options, and it’s worth considering before you grab a taxi. Major cities often have an express train to the city center, or shuttle buses where you can share a ride with other travelers.
Don’t Block the Baggage Claim
If you’ve checked a bag, don’t crowd the baggage claim belt when the bags start dropping. Stand back so everyone can see the bags! Remember that baggage claim is different in various parts of the world. When traveling internationally, you usually get your bags before you clear customs. Sometimes, the baggage claim is right next to the exit.
Don’t Expect a Quick Luggage Recovery
If you do happen to have your bags lost by the airline, don’t expect speedy service. The more documentation you have, the easier it will be. Make sure you save the luggage tag from the airline, which has a barcode on it for tracking. It also helps to have the app of your airline, as you can track your luggage in the app.
Don’t Expect the Best Exchange Rate
The best option for getting currency when you land is to go to the ATM and let your home bank do the conversion rather than the bank that owns the ATM. You’ll get the best rate this way! Skip right by the currency kiosks. You should get some cash at the airport so that you’re prepared to tip anyone and you won’t have to search for an ATM on the streets.
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Don’t Be Afraid to Explore on a Long Layover
If your layover is long enough, you might have time to go into town and explore. When I traveled to Lithuania often, I usually had a 7 or 8-hour layover in London. That was enough time to take the Tube into the city, have lunch, and return to the airport in time for my next flight. The viability of this will vary greatly by destination, but places like London, Amsterdam, and Brussels are great for this, thanks to public transportation.
Don’t Forget About Airport Hotels
Another option for a long layover is getting a room at an airport hotel. Some hotels even have day rates, and it’s just a nice way to get some extra space and not spend your whole time pacing the airport.
Don’t Count on Early Morning or Late Night Meals
The airport restaurants seem geared toward the lunch crowd. If you have a super early flight, don’t count on getting breakfast at the airport. It’s always a good idea to have a few snacks on hand. This goes for late arrivals or redeye departures as well; if it’s late at night, you might have trouble finding restaurants that are open.
Don’t Expect Vouchers for Delayed Flights
Sometimes, if a flight is delayed, the airline will offer meal vouchers to the passengers. They aren’t always a given, but in some countries, they are required by law to offer them. If you do get a voucher, make sure you use it right away or read the small print. We’ve had some expire within a couple of hours before we could even use them!
Don’t Expect Normal Prices
Airplanes have what is called captive pricing. There are no other options for their customers, so they can charge you whatever they want. Sometimes, fast-casual restaurants like Chili’s are about the same price as fast food. If you’re paying $9 for a bottle of water, you can see why people opt for a beer at the bar instead!
Don’t Lose Track of Your Belongings
Traveling internationally can be frazzling sometimes, and there is a lot to keep track of, but always make sure you have your passports and travel documents at all times. Put them away as soon as they are given to you.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
If you don’t remember any of our other airport tips, just remember to bring a little patience and kindness. Patience will help keep you sane, and kindness goes a long way with airline and airport staff. Remember, this is just the journey; your destination awaits! For more family travel tips, check out some of these blog posts: