Thanksgiving Travel Tips

IF THIS THANKSGIVING YOU ARE GOING TO BE TRAVEL TO SEE FRIENDS AND FAMILY, READ THESE HELPFUL THANKSGIVING TRAVEL TIPS FROM UNITED MILITARY TRAVEL.

Each and every year we get bombarded with people who need to book last minute Thanksgiving travel and so we see first hand how expensive and troublesome it can be.

Whether you are wanting to return stateside just for a few days, fly to Europe to spend Thanksgiving there, coming all the way from the Pacific, or needing a car rental AND a hotel the team at United Military Travel has got you covered!

Along with Christmas the Thanksgiving holiday is undoubtedly the busiest travel time of the year.  You can expect transportation delays, traffic and travel snags all meeting travelers at nearly every turn. But with a bit of thought and some Thanksgiving travel planning, you may be able to leave your ibuprofen at home and head home for the holidays or escape for a drama-free adventure.

Regardless of your plans, you'll be thankful for these Thanksgiving travel tips.

PLAN AHEAD

It's never too early to start your holiday travel planning, so if you know your leave dates are written in stone go ahead and call us today for lower airfare prices - in the early fall you will find airfare prices are still down and plenty of seats to choose from.  This same idea goes for Christmas travel as well - the earlier you book your travel the more affordable it will be.  It is important that you have your travel dates locked down because once travel is booked it is expensive and sometimes impossible to change and cancel it.

TRAVEL LIGHT

Here I go again, preaching about traveling light!  Not only will you save yourself money by avoiding the checked bag fees, you reduce your risk of your luggage getting lost and also saving yourself time at the airport.  But keep in mind that your fellow travelers will all have the same idea and overhead space may be tight onboard.  A alternative method to traveling with your belongings is to ship them.  Lighten your load by shipping some of your belongings to your final destination ahead of time, especially presents and bulky items like diapers or extra clothes that you won't need for the journey.

CHOOSE THE BEST DAYS

Hands down try to avoid traveling on the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after the big day when travelers tear themselves away from the leftovers and football to make the journey home. Avoid these days by flying out on Monday or Tuesday or even Thanksgiving morning to avoid the dreaded Wednesday travel rush. When you're ready to head home, take flight on Friday when the masses have moved on from the airports to the shopping centers to score the best holiday deals. The crowds pick up again on Saturday, reaching a critical peak on Sunday, before leveling out on Monday.

Travel Hint: Fly out on Monday or Tuesday or even Thanksgiving morning to avoid the dreaded Wednesday travel rush.

HIGH-TECH TROUBLESHOOTING

It's commonsense to arrive at the airport early -- you'll need the time for parking, security and to wait your turn for that necessary cup of coffee. But you can avoid some airport hassles by taking advantage of useful applications that can be used on your smart phone. iPhone users can get the skinny on the airport, including maps showing the gates and restaurant information, using the GateGuru app. Airlines including Southwest, Delta and American Airlines all have mobile websites where passengers can check in, confirm seats and keep track of their flight status. Check out these top mobile apps for travel.

Hint: Plan your route ahead of time and travel with a GPS system, smart phone or old-school maps to offer alternatives if you need a Plan B.

HOLIDAY ROAD

While you certainly save money and avoid some headaches traveling by land, navigating the highways presents its own set of holiday challenges during the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  If you think rush hour traffic is horrific through DC on a weekday, try sharing the road with the thousands who want to leave for a holiday!

If you do choose to drive to your destination, let United Military Travel book you a car rental - just make sure you purchase driver's insurance!

Plan your route ahead of time and travel with a GPS system, smart phone or old-school maps to offer alternatives if you need a Plan B. And to avoid unnecessary delays, bring along an E-ZPass or change for the tolls, as well as plenty of snacks, and be sure to fill up on gas before you hit the road. Also brush up on tips to handle hazardous road conditions during icy or stormy weather.

Hint:  Avoid the highways on the Wednesday before turkey day and the following Sunday.

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UNITED MILITARY TRAVEL IS A PRO AT HELPING YOU PLAN AND BOOK HOLIDAY TRAVEL.  

WE WANT TO SEE OUR TROOPS WITH THEIR FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS, SO WE STRIVE TO GIVE YOU THE MOST AFFORDABLE PRICES IN THE MILITARY TRAVEL LOAN INDUSTRY! 

 CALL US TODAY TO SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR TRAVEL CONSULTANTS OR YOU CAN APPLY FOR TRAVEL CREDIT ONLINE.  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND SAFE TRAVELING! 

866-582-9579