| Planning to travel during the holidays? Here's a | | | | numbers of car rental agencies. When flights are |
| quick and handy pre-travel checklist for domestic | | | | canceled, the first counter travelers head for are |
| holiday travel that will help you stay ahead of the | | | | places like Hertz and Avis. |
| game on departure day. | | | | 4. Thanks to today's technology, you can set up |
| 1. Input names, phone numbers, and important | | | | a flight alert that communicates with passengers |
| travel information into your cell phone. Include the | | | | and family when a flight is delayed, canceled, or |
| phone number of the airline you're traveling on, | | | | rescheduled. Make it a point to set an alert. |
| and also hotel names, numbers and any | | | | 5. Know the luggage rules and regulations for the |
| reservation numbers. If you are a member of an | | | | airline that you'll use. The best travel advice is to |
| airline's frequent flying program, then be sure to | | | | just travel with a carry-on. This enables you to |
| take along that number, too. | | | | always know where your belongings are and if |
| In case you're delayed, miss your flight, or there's | | | | your itinerary changes, you're ready to go. No |
| a major change of plans after your trip has | | | | waiting at baggage claim. Just be prepared to pay |
| begun, be smart and input the phone numbers | | | | a fee for your carry-on bag, if required. Most |
| into your cell phone of major airline carriers, hotel | | | | importantly, don't try to bring an oversized |
| chains and taxi cab or limo services. You'll be | | | | carry-on onto the plane. You might be surprised |
| hours ahead of other travelers who will have to | | | | when the flight attendant has it transported to |
| search for that information. | | | | the baggage area of the plane. |
| Yes, if you have a cell phone with a data plan you | | | | 6. Become knowledgeable about your rights as a |
| can always look up this information online. | | | | passenger. If you get bumped from your flight |
| However, if for some reason you have no | | | | and you're not flying stand-by, what are your |
| satellite signal, you'll be especially glad that the | | | | rights? Be informed as to how much money you |
| numbers are stored in your phone. | | | | can receive as a traveler if you are bumped |
| 2. Always make sure that you have a second | | | | involuntarily. Understand the rules for rebooking |
| plan in mind in case Plan A fails. Figure out where | | | | flights for domestic travel. In most instances, |
| you'll stay for the night, which hotel you'll stay in, | | | | travelers can be eligible for up to $800 cash if |
| or which alternate airlines you'll use if yours isn't | | | | their itinerary flight plans are not rerouted within |
| available. | | | | two hours shown on the original documentation |
| 3. With that in mind, it's also a good idea to have | | | | for domestic flights. |
| a bus or train schedule available, as well as the | | | | |