We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that hasn't happened.
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
With vaccines arriving, let's hope we can be traveling again in 2021!
For all the travel we do, we are not experts in booking a flight.
Does that surprise you? Remember, Mark worked for an airline....
We probably know more about what you shouldn't do when booking a flight than what you should do.
I often wish I had written down all the stories he's brought home.
The usual tips you read for booking online are...
--use comparison sites, any of the search engines like Kayak or Hipmunk
--watch for days of the week when fares go down
--check airline sites for flash sales
And you should do all of that, but let's look at a different perspective...
Let us give you some tips and warnings about booking a flight online from the perspective of an airline agent...
It's best to avoid itineraries that involve several connections or several airlines.
Every stop and connection is a possible problem for missed connections.
Even short departure delays can turn a short
connection time into an impossible connection.
If you can't avoid a connection, make sure it is a reasonable length of time.
Even worse than a long layover or connection time at an airport is a connection that is too short.
Different airports have different "allowable or legal connection times"...
We've found... just because they are published, doesn't mean you can always make it to the next gate.
(And that's especially true if your flight is delayed even a few minutes... or you're sitting at the back of a full plane.)
Large airports can take longer than you think to get from one gate to another.
We think you should allow a couple of hours to connect at large, busy airports.
Connection times become even more crucial if you are making an international connection at large international airports.
There may be secondary security to go through or buses or trams to take to your next gate.
Your first flight could be delayed...
If that happens, you might not be able to make your connection.
The airlines may not be able to rebook you on the same day... this can happen especially if you're departing from a smaller airport with fewer fights.
You won't be compensated if the delay is a mechanical problem or a weather delay...
And those weather delays aren't winter storms only... thunderstorms happen in the summer too.
Booking a flight with a little longer connection or layover time might just "get you to the church on time" as the song says.
Those flights with two or three stops might look like a bargain, but before booking a flight consider this...
You might save a couple of dollars if every thing goes right, but you'll have a real headache if things go wrong....
And the more connections and/or the more airlines that are involved...
the more change there is for something to go wrong.
If you miss your connection completely, you may end up paying for a hotel in a city you didn't even want to visit.
So, if you've "got to be there", a couple of extra bucks for a non-stop or direct flight is well worth the peace of mind!
That's right... what with having to get to the airport an hour or two before your flight, that means you have to get up really early... but...
That first flight of the morning is the one that is least likely to be
delayed.
Not just getting to the the airport early, but to your DESTINATION.
Get there a day early and relax...
I know, especially for Americans, vacation time is short... and none of us want to waste days, but...
If you MUST be there for that holiday
--or
wedding
--or cruise
--or tour...
We suggest booking a flight that arrives at least 24 hours before you need to be there.
Mark hears it all the time... "But I HAVE to be there today..."
You just never know when bad weather or a mechanical problem will ground a plane...
Booking a flight a day early is insurance so you don't miss the boat... or that wedding or whatever.
This goes back to our point above about allowing plenty of connection time if you must connect on flights.
Allow an extra day at the end of your trip too.
Same thing apply for coming home as for starting on your trip... you don't want to miss a connection and not get home in time to get back to work.
DO also remember to use all those tips you read about in travel magazines or on travel blogs....
Now you're booking a flight... I mean, now you're ready to commit... Last minute things to think about...
You could always use a travel agent for booking a flight.
They are experts, but you should always double check on them too... we've had agents set up tours where we crossed the international date line and we were supposed to be catching a second flight before we even arrived from the first!
Be smart when you're booking a flight online, and your holiday will get off to a good start.... and you'll get home on time.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
Curious about what else we've written about? Search our site for a destination or travel tip.
But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark
Go To Mousetourstravels Home Page
The New Year is here...
And we're ready to put 2020 behind us.
What are your resolutions? To lose weight? To Exercise more?
We're hoping for an end to this virus and the travel restrictions so...
Why not a FUN resolution!
Resolve to TRAVEL!
It's a good time to plan your travels...
We have lists to help....
Custom Tour Planning List
Destination stories....
Europe Travel Tips
Africa Dream List
See America
Travel Planning
International Travel Planning Tips
Guidebooks can help you plan
Don't Forget Valentine's Day
Romantic Weekends
What About Your Passport?
Time to get one... or renew...
Answers about Passports and Visas
Dreaming of Warm Weather or Snow?
Packing for a Tropical Vacation
Cold Weather Packing List
…Or just make a resolution to explore more pages here and get ideas for travel destinations and how to get there.
NOW is the time to start planning for a great trip this year.
Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster...
We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...
Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
On our 2019 travels, it was independent travel, a custom tour and a group tour. All work beautifully... just depends on where you’re going and what you want.
Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!
Related Pages
on
Airports, Security & Flights
Airline Booking Tips
Tips on Booking A Flight
The Flight You Book Makes A Difference
Flight Insurance - Is It Worth It?
Luggage
Airline Baggage Fees
Ship or Check Luggage?
All Our Packing Tips
Airport Security Tips
Security Packing Tips
Getting Through Security Lines
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
Organize To Speed Through Lines
Airport Security Checkpoints
TSA Secure Flight Program
TSA-Self-Selecting Security Lanes
Airport Help
Your Airport Arrival
Airport Departure
Airport Help - The Airport Is Your Friend!
Dealing With Peak Travel Seasons
Flight Problems
Dealing With Cancelled Flights
Booking Problems
In-Flight Tips
Inflight Tips to Survive Long Flights
Fatigue After Flights
What Is Jet Lag?
How to Deal With Jet Lag
And just for Fun
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.