4 Ways To Travel Smarter During Your Spring Getaway
That light at the end of the winter tunnel? It’s Spring Break. While Spring Break is undoubtedly a great getaway after the holidays, it can also become a logistics nightmare. Whether you like it or not, pretty much everyone else has the same idea during the 2019 calendar season. Spring breakers are either traveling home to spend time with friends, taking the family on their annual excursion or couples are flying off to vacation on a warm, romantic beach.
To help you overcome an unpleasant travel experience and eliminate as much of the hassle as possible, here are four tips for making your time at the airport more pleasant before your ultimate Spring getaway.
1.) Save Yourself Some Dough
Saving money is always a smart move. Comparison websites and mobile apps have been developed to keep the savvy traveler front-of-mind, putting all the best deals in one place for convenience.
Make the most of this technology. Sign up for push notifications, keep your options open, stay loyal for big savings and maybe most importantly—set yourself a rough-budget so you’re not sucked into waiting for price drops and the “what-ifs” that come with it.
2.) Quit Overpacking
Most of us are over-packers, but that’s a luxury we can no longer afford on airlines that charge steep “overweight bag” fees (up to $200 on some domestic flights). With the U.S Bureau of Transportation reporting $4.6 billion in baggage fees in 2017, it’s best to pack light and pack smart; ban all “maybe” outfits from your suitcase in favor of comfortable clothing you’ve worn before and know you like. Keep shoes to a minimum to save space and weight. Besides, if you are going on that beach getaway, all you’ll need are flip-flops and the sand between your toes.
3.) Take The Road Less Traveled…
…or days less traveled. On weekends, airline costs are higher, as well as traffic. Opt to travel midweek and plan to leave a day early. That way, you’ll have time to catch up on that precious sleep once you arrive at your destination and feel more present during your vacation. As an added bonus, head home a day or two before it’s time to go back to school or work to recoup and relax. You’ll thank us later.
4.) Arrive Early. For Real This Time
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Arrive early! The Government shutdown is something travelers are keeping a close eye on this month. With reports of record long lines at airports across the country, arriving early is no longer just a recommendation, but a necessity.
We suggest arriving at your airport a minimum of two hours early, just like the good ol’ days. The good news is if you find yourself pleasantly surprised by a short TSA line, you can kick your vacation early by relaxing at an airport lounge prior to takeoff. If you’re at either St. Louis’ Lambert International Airport or New York’s JFK International Airport you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the all-inclusive amenities offered at Wingtips Lounge. If you want to save some cash in the process, visit Wingtips St. Louis before noon for our $25 early bird discount or bring a companion any time throughout the day for our BOGO 50% special. Guests can enjoy unlimited food and drink at these discounted prices by referencing code EARLYBIRD or WINGMAN at the door (STL location only).
Whether you’re traveling with the family or traveling to a tropical party destination, these tips will save you time, money, and sanity. Whatever top spring break destination you’re flying to, we hope to see you start your vacation early inside our lounge. Safe travels!