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I travel to 20+ countries a year sharing my firsthand knowledge of reward travel, travel credit card deals, travel tips and more.
I just dropped my non-frequent flier neighbor off at LAX and he called me shortly after asking for advice. He said his flight was delayed by two hours and he was going to miss his connection to Providence, Rhode Island so what should he do? I travel so much that this stuff is second nature to me but it reminded me that most people don’t know what to do which is why I put together this step-by-step guide.
Sign up for flight notifications
If you bought your ticket far in advance, there’s a good chance your flight times or routings have changed. The airlines are required to notify you but just in case you overlooked a message, always double check. It’s also a great idea to make sure your passport (if traveling internationally) is valid. Some countries won’t let you in unless your passport has more than six months before its expiration date.
Almost everyone wants an aisle or window seat or even better one in the bulkhead or exit row. To find out which seats are the best on your particular aircraft go to SeatGuru.com. They highlight in green which ones they are and list exactly how much legroom and pitch. They also inform you if there’s power ports or personal TVs. Keep in mind airlines can change aircraft types at the last minute so there’s no guarantees. If the seat you desire isn’t available at booking then just keep checking or create a seat alert at ExpertFlyer.com. Usually the good seats will open up because the elite frequent fliers eventually get upgraded or they change their plans, which means the best coach seats may be available again. As a last resort check when you get to the airport at the check-in counter and at the gate.
Get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
If you travel internationally at all, and especially if you do it frequently, get Global Entry ($100). If you travel to and from Canada often, then get NEXUS ($50) or Sentri ($122.25) for frequent travelers to and from Mexico. It will be the best money you’ve ever spent as it allows you to breeze past the typically long customs and immigration lines. You must be approved for each card, but if you’re approved (and it’s not hard), your status is valid for five years. Just make sure to apply soon as the in-person appointments (required after you apply) are getting harder to come by. Best of all, any of the above memberships automatically enroll you into TSA PreCheck so you don’t have to wait in long security lines. BONUS TIP: If you have certain credit cards like the American Express Platinum Card, you will get reimbursed for the $100 Global Entry fee if you pay using your card!
Don’t check valuables or medicines
If you are checking a bag remember not to pack any valuables. Although the airlines claim they will reimburse you up to $3,300 for lost domestic bags they exclude “fragile” items, “valuables” and “business effects”– which includes things such as cash, electronics, jewelry, and art work…. If traveling domestically seriously consider shipping your bags ahead of time with FedEx, UPS or USPS – just remember to do it via ground to save some cash and not overnight, but allow plenty of time — usually 5 business days.
Pre-program your phone with airline, hotel, car rental, cruise line, travel agent, car service, and friends’ and colleagues’ phone numbers. That way, if there is a delay or canceled flight, you can get a jump on everyone else. The moment you learn of a lengthy delay or cancellation, get in line and call the airline’s 800 numbers. The reservations agent or your travel agent can do it for you, too. Keep in mind that the longer you wait, the fewer options you will have. Speaking of options, if you don’t check a bag, you have a much better chance of getting on an earlier or different flight. Also, if there are long holds, buy a day pass to the airline’s club lounge where you will get better service or consider hiring a service like CrankyConcierge.com.
On most flights in the U.S., airlines either don’t serve food or if they do, they charge for it. Instead of being at the flight attendant’s mercy on what and when you eat, bring your own. Buy it in the airport or better yet, bring it from home. Be sure to bring plenty of water, too. Since you can’t go through security with bottled water, buy it on the other side or bring an empty bottle and fill it up at a water fountain so you can stay hydrated. In addition to your meal, you should bring snacks in case of any lengthy delays. I always have granola bars and almonds in my carry-on bag.
Don’t pay for a luggage cart
It really irks me that many airports still don’t offer luggage carts for free like they do in most international airports. Instead of paying the $5 fee (that’s what it costs at LAX), go outside to the curb and look for ones that previous passengers have left behind. That’s what all the limo drivers do!
I almost always bring three bags of chocolates — one for the gate agents and one for the flight attendants because these people can make or break your trip. When you give it to them do it with a big smile, be genuine and don’t look for anything in return. If there is a chance they can give you a better seat they will but it’s really to thank them for their hard work because they have to deal with a bunch of miserable people for little pay and perks. If you are wondering who gets the third bag of chocolates… It goes to me and my seatmates.
So there you have 10 ways to travel like a frequent flier – I have hundreds more so those will just have to wait for another time or you can sign up to my free newsletters and follow me on Twitter and Facebook where I frequently post them.
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35 Comments On "10 Ways To Travel Like a Frequent Flier"
June 29, 2012 at 8:06 pm | Reply
Love the tips here – especially the box of chocolates. That’s a clever one! :)
June 30, 2012 at 1:06 pm | Reply
Great tips – thanks for sharing
July 2, 2012 at 2:07 pm | Reply
I liked the tip about pushing your stuff through before going through the detectors. I am a seasoned traveler but I never thought of that.
July 3, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
I’ve been told that bringing any food for flight crew is a no-no because of security concerns.
July 3, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
That is true but if it’s wrapped in plastic it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve never had one.
July 3, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
Definitely tips to fly by. Well-compiled list, especially #10. :)
July 3, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
Excellent tips. If I can add one: Be nice to the flight attendants and always try and crack a joke with them. They’ll treat you better than the other passengers on board if and when you connect with them.
July 3, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
Great link with the water calculator. Too many folks are not hydrated enough for trans-con flights! Your stuff is great reading.
July 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm | Reply
My husband and I traveled through countries in Europe last winter and survived a general strike, airport gate changes and a missing laptop charger all because we brought small boxes of chocolates everywhere we went. In return we got a free taxi ride, sports tickets, and really tasty Koelsh beer from the indigenous populations. Not to mention general good feelings all around – the world is a truly small place. Happy ands safe travels to all this Fourth of July!
July 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm | Reply
1. How do you know in advance how many boxes of chocolates for gate agents and flight attendants? 2. How many boxes can you get in your carry on along with your other needed stuff? 3. How do you get the boxes past TSA without them opening them and feeling through them? 4. What is maximum size of boxes TSA will permit?
July 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm | Reply
Just bring two. They can share.
July 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm | Reply
Great tips as always Johnny… and some great links here too. One more tip, find out where they stash the pillows and blankets as soon as you get on board, because they go fast.
July 3, 2012 at 5:07 pm | Reply
great tips! thanks again.
Tawny- Captain and Clark|
July 3, 2012 at 6:07 pm | Reply
Chocolates! What a great idea. We’re going to have to try that the next time we fly.
July 3, 2012 at 8:07 pm | Reply
Great article, Johnny. Sharing.
July 3, 2012 at 8:07 pm | Reply
As a fairly frequent flyer, I follow several of these already, but I’m grateful for the new tips, especially the chocolates!
July 5, 2012 at 12:07 am | Reply
These are some of the best and simplest things to alway make sure we ALL do when we travel! Thanks!
July 5, 2012 at 7:07 am | Reply
Haha, chocolates? Cool. Gotta try that next time. (:
July 6, 2012 at 8:07 am | Reply
Handy tips for the less-traveled flier. Excellent post!
July 7, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
I would think they would would dump the chocolate in the garbage. I was always taught not to accept candy from strngers.
July 7, 2012 at 6:07 pm | Reply
I always get a box of chocolates (the good ones-like hand dipped fruits, almond bark etc.) for the flight attendants on all my over the pond flights. They always appreciate it and I get treated very well. It is such a simple gesture. Remember they have been on the road for a bunch of days and working those 15 hr flights, so they do appreciate it.
July 7, 2012 at 6:07 pm | Reply
If you travel to Europe, especially to the same hotels often, get cigarettes at duty free and give them to the hotel staff (head bellman, head housekeeping, front desk manager).
Even if they don’t smoke, they make great barter items.
July 8, 2012 at 7:07 pm | Reply
Are you kidding me? You bring two boxes of chocolates on every flight you have? That’s the most ridiculous travel tip I have ever heard in my life.
July 9, 2012 at 6:07 am | Reply
A fun list, but a couple of points to ponder. In suggestion #8, Food and Drink, we know that yhe beverage won’t clear security. Sure; you can buy a bottle of water on Air-Side, but it costs about 25% more. I don’t know where you are from – or where you have been, the the idea that some airport employeed will fill your water bottle for you – I/m laughing too much to even type. Where the heck dod you come up with this one?
More appropriate is to get liquids into your system and lots. When the beverage cart comes around, do whatever it takes to get the Entire Can, not just that cocktail cup. Be pushy if necessary, but get it. When beverage serive is finished, walk to the galley, beg, plead or lie to get more soda or water and keep pouring it down. Sorry, but do NOT drink coffee, recalf or regular. The brew it with on-board ‘system’ water, a substance that you don’t want to drink. ” it really Hot,” you exclaim. Airline coffee machines brew at 175-F – 180-F and very quickly. NOt enough time to kill the real germs. Plain water, from a sealed bottle is your only real friend at 25k feet and above. Skip the booze (save one?) and pump down the water. An hour after you land, you will thank yourself for the effort.
The other ideas… Amusing as best and generally s ome pretty dumb stuff for folks who fly more than once in ten years. As waste of blog space…
July 9, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
And that’s why you probably never get upgraded or your cup filled in the airport. No one likes pushy or deceitful people.
July 9, 2012 at 7:07 pm | Reply
Good comeback Johnny Jet!
August 24, 2016 at 11:08 pm | Reply
Most airports in the US have water-bottle filling stations near the water fountains. Just bring an empty bottle through security and fill it before you board. Then you don’t have to worry about getting more from the flight attendant.
July 10, 2012 at 9:07 am | Reply
Fantastic tips especially the box of chocolate. I am a frequent flyer and this tip didn’t cross my mind at all. Nice one.
July 11, 2012 at 4:07 pm | Reply
I was told Almond Roca was great to ahnd out, by a flight attendant friend. I brought cans when I went to Europe, and couldn’t believe how wonderful the flight attendants were. Big plus, it’s sealed!
July 11, 2012 at 6:07 pm | Reply
For what its worth – I heard of an old lady who always had a bouquet of flowers to hand in at checkin, saying that her son had given them to her but of course she couldnt travel with them – apparently it never failed to get her upgraded :)
July 11, 2012 at 11:07 pm | Reply
We always pre-order vegetarian dinners on overseas flights. They tend to have more veggies which can help with diet, more taste and are usually served first. True, the breakfast sometimes is a re-hash of the dinner, but I’ve always been happy not to have to eat the mystery meat on airlines.
October 1, 2014 at 9:10 pm | Reply
I do that too, I pre-order Asian Vegetarian though, since I found that to be tastier. So far, I have been happier with that choice than with what the standard offer was most of the time. I’m not sure if that is an option with most airlines though, I did it mainly on Swiss
July 24, 2012 at 3:07 am | Reply
Thank you for your tips. I love travelling but I rarely using plane when I go to somewhere, I prefer go by car or train
August 24, 2016 at 8:08 pm | Reply
Johnny, the legacys pay their FA’S A LOT!!! New American and United contracts match Delta- after 13 years( and there’s lots of those- $65,000/YEAR and that’s not including their benefits! Believe it or not, SOUTHWEST pays More than the legacys. Feel sorry for Jet Blue who earn 1/2 of that and then the others pay even less. $60,000 is the average for a nurse.
January 18, 2017 at 1:01 pm | Reply
You’re definitely right about security, always amazes me how many people don’t seem to understand the ‘liquids not over 100ml rule’. If you want to travel like a frequent flyer it’s often a good idea to travel with a carry on bag with a separate laptop compartment so you can easily get things out. Also helps if you don’t fly with belts/difficult shoes to remove – slip on shoes work best.
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