Holiday Travel Tips

Dec 2nd, 2009

• Know your options - The more you know, the more you can help yourself. If your flight is canceled, check the departure board for other options to your destination. Better still, write them down or e-mail them to yourself before leaving. Keep contact information for other airlines close at hand.

• Be nice - If your flight gets canceled or you miss your connection, the only people that can help get you out of the airport work for the airline. So no matter how frazzled your nerves, smile and be pleasant. Even if you're sure the airline is at fault, a smile is more likely to fix your problem than snarky comments and a raised voice.

• Be proactive - If you're having a hard time resolving a problem, take a proactive approach and (politely) suggest a solution. If your flight's canceled and there are no other nonstops, ask if a connecting flight would work. Or, ask if the agents if they might be able to accommodate you on partner airline – or even a competitor, if things are tight.