ExploreLike.Us

Planning your Trip

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Buy Low: When we know where we want to go and the dates, we set up a tracker in Google flights. It will start a chart of the fares, so we can see any trends, and it will email us when the price decreases.

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Time It: Based on the tip above, we've found that purchasing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is usually cheaper than other days of the week. As the New York Times reported, it does vary, but one reason is because airlines load their sale fares on Monday evening, so it hits on Tuesday.

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Get the Best Seat: Check out the site Seat Guru to see which seats are the best, which ones don't have a window, and which ones don't recline.

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Register for Promotions: Usually every 3 months, the major hotel chains have promotions, such as offering double points. Airlines usually offer extra miles on new routes. The Loyalty Traveler is a good site for seeing all of the promotions in one place.

 

In the Airport

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Skip the Lines: I love TSA Pre-check, but people usually make one mistake. They only get TSA Pre-check. Instead, you should apply for Global Entry. It's only $20 more (for 5 years), and it includes Pre-check AND the ability to skip the immigration lines when you are coming back to the U.S.

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Find the Best Food: Check out the app Gate Guru to see which food vendors serve that airport and their location.

 

Flight Cancellation/Delay

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Know Your Options: If you're flight is delayed or canceled, go to Google Flights and pretend that you're booking a one-way ticket to your destination. Google Flights query flights in real-time, and can give you alternate ideas of how to get home. And you don't have to stick to just the airline you’re flying. Some airlines can put you on other airlines free-of-charge (also called 'interlining'). Here is the breakdown:

• American: Interlines with Alaska, United, and several international airlines

• Delta: Interlines with Alaska, United, and several international airlines

• United: Interlines with Alaska, American, Delta, and several international airlines

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Call ASAP: As soon as you know the flight is canceled or it's delayed so long you're going to miss your connection, call. You can get in line too at the gate or rebooking center, but if there's one agent working the gate, and 40 people in line, chances are you'll get through to the reservation agent on the phone first. Timing is key because there are only so many seats available, and the faster you talk to someone, the more likely you’ll get one of the seats. Also, based on your research above, tell them which flight you want. Sometimes they won’t offer options on other carriers unless you ask for it.

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Get Reimbursed: Many credit cards offer benefits to help you when you're delayed. For example, the Citi Prestige, Chase Sapphire, Citi AAdvantage cards all have trip delay protection. If you're stranded for 12+ hours (and only 3+ for Citi Prestige) and you paid for your flight with that credit card, they will reimburse you for food, hotels, rental cars, and other incidentals up to $500 (like this example). If your trip needs to be cancelled, they will reimburse non-refundable fees (e.g. weather cancels your flight and you miss your cruise). Additionally, if your bags are delayed, you can get a stipend to buy toiletries, clothes, etc. depending on the length of the delay.

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Know Your Rights:

• Involuntarily Denied Boarding: If you purchased a seat on a flight, were at the gate before it closed, and they don’t let you on-board because they oversold the flight (and you don’t volunteer), then by law you are entitled to cash. Not an airline voucher for future travel. Cash.

• Delayed flight in European Union (EU): If you are on a flight within the EU or leaving the EU for the United States, you are bound by some generous EU passenger laws. If you have a delayed flight, depends on the length but for US-bound flights it’s 4+ hours, that is the airline’s fault, such as a mechanical problem, you are entitled to compensation.