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ROAD WARRIORS SHARE THEIR BEST ADVICE FOR SURVIVING THE BUSY SUMMER TRAVEL
SEASON

Christopher Elliott
Special to USA TODAY


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The hectic summer travel season is only weeks away, so what better time than now
to improve your air travel literacy? You can start by listening to the business
travelers who are on the road for weeks at a stretch.

It's easy to miss them sometimes. They're the ones quietly sitting in the exit
row seat, finishing a spreadsheet on their laptop computers. You might not even
know you're staying in a hotel with one, because they check in late and leave
early. 

About 1 in 10 people travel for business, and if you're lucky enough to sit next
to a road warrior on your next flight, you might learn a thing or two about
improving your air travel experience. Such secrets include sage advice about
where and when to book, how to travel more comfortably, and insider tips for
surviving a crowded flight.






BOOK DIRECT AND FLY NONSTOP

Michael Stanat, the director of global operations for the market research firm
SIS International, says repeated flights have taught him to book directly with
the airline and to avoid connections. "It is your safe bet in case you get
delayed," he says. "If you get stranded, you can rebook or get rerouted much
easier than if you booked with an online agency. It may be more expensive to fly
nonstop, but if your flight is delayed because of a missed connection,
especially cross-country, you may be on the hook for a lot more."




CHEAPER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER

"The cheapest fare is not always the best," warns Sherrie Wilkolaski, who
publishes the magazine Luxe Beat. If your plans change, you may pay more in
fees, surcharges and penalties. Often, it's better to choose a more expensive
ticket with fewer restrictions.


PATIENCE PAYS

Rebecca Washuta, a nutrition and wellness consultant who has spent weeks at a
time on the road, says she avoids early morning flights because they are crowded
and more expensive. "If your schedule allows, take a mid-morning flight,"
advises Washuta. "You’ll likely have a row to yourself, and you’ll have a better
chance of getting bumped up to first class."






GET TO THE AIRPORT WITH TIME TO SPARE

Leisure travelers often wait until the last minute to head to the airport. But
Tommy Goodwin, head of field operations at Eventbrite, says years on the road
have taught him to do the opposite. "I arrive at the airport early so I’m not
stressed out," he says. "Nearly all airports have Wi-Fi so you can work if you
need to, and most major airports have great restaurants, bars, retail and even
spas."




MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES

Real road warriors invest in premium security access programs such as Global
Entry and Clear, according to Sheree Sekou, a leadership consultant and frequent
corporate traveler. "It mitigates unnecessary delays," she says. "Without the
Clear premium access program, I’m certain I would have missed several flights
throughout the years."



More:Airport security: TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. Clear


BE NICE TO THE CREW

That's the advice of David Decker, a national distribution executive for Royal
Neighbors of America, an insurance organization. "Say 'hi' when boarding and
'thank you' when they serve you," he says. You'd be surprised at how few
passengers do this. But when it comes time to ask for a favor, like an extra
drink or if you have to move seats, "this common decency goes a long way, and
the crew remembers that during the flight."




NEVER MISS OPPORTUNITIES TO EAT

Airline food is scarce, and the quality is often questionable. "Never pass up an
opportunity for a meal," says author and astrophysicist Jeff Hester. Too many
air travelers subsist on Cheetos and then gorge themselves on their next meal,
he adds. "Don't stuff yourself senseless, but eat when you get a chance. You
don't know when you might see food again," he adds.


BE A VOLUNTEER

Whether a flight attendant asks you to switch seats with another passenger or
give up your seat altogether, do it. The rewards can be considerable, from the
goodwill of the crew to money, according to Mark Ortiz, a frequent traveler who
founded the company ReviewingThis. "You can get cash compensation for the
inconvenience," he says. The trick is to ask. Airlines may offer a flight
voucher; federal regulations limit cash compensation to a maximum of $1,350.


DON'T FORGET YOUR 'CHEAT SHEET'

Electronic tickets are convenient, but they have one flaw: Smartphones can run
out of battery power, leaving you without vital travel information. That's why
Brad Daniel, a frequent air traveler who runs a marketing agency in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida, carries a "cheat sheet" with his itinerary. "I make it a
practice to have flight number, terminal and departure time printed," he says.
"I can’t tell you how many times this cheat sheet comes in handy." By the way,
it works for the rest of your itinerary, including your car rental and hotel.



Most of these veteran road warriors learned these tricks the hard way, which is
to say, they made mistakes. They booked the wrong ticket class, took their
flight crew for granted or relied on their battery-challenged smartphones. But
now you don't have to.






AIR TRAVEL LITERACY BASICS: THREE THINGS EVERY VETERAN AIR TRAVELER KNOWS

• Know the code. Every airport has a three-letter code, known as the
International Air Transport Association's location identifier. When you check
your luggage, make sure it has the right airport code. And assume nothing,
especially if you're flying from Chicago (where O'Hare is designated ORD) to
Orlando (MCO). 

• What's the difference between a nonstop and direct flight? A direct flight
stops en route from A to B, but you stay on the same aircraft. A nonstop flight
goes from A to B without landing anywhere else. It helps to know that if you
want to fly somewhere without a stop.

• OK, on second thought, maybe you need a travel agent. A qualified travel
adviser can help you sort through the stuff you don't know and find you the best
deals. You can find one using the American Society of Travel Agents website.



Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate. Contact him at chris@elliott.org or
visit elliott.org.







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