From Eveningsnews.com
Taking The Bumps Out Of Air Travel During The Holidays
By
Nov 7, 2007, 01:12
Taking The Bumps Out Of Air Travel During The Holidays
(NAPSI)-If you're thinking of flying during the winter holiday season, a little advance planning can help smooth out a lot of the bumps. The airline industry's on-time performance in the first seven months of 2007 was its worst since 1995, with only 74 percent of flights arriving on time, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The winter holiday season is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with millions of people traveling over a short period of time. Passengers should plan accordingly and be prepared in the case of flight delays, cancellations or lost baggage.
These holiday travel tips can help ease the hassles of traveling during the holidays:
• Cover yourself. Passengers can cover their holiday travel investment by purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance plan, like those sold on www.travelguard.com. Travel Guard plans, for example, cover everything from trip cancellation to lost baggage and medical expenses while traveling, as well as providing 24/7 travel assistance. Most plans can be purchased up to 24 hours before departure.
Also, in the event of a flight delay or cancellation, round-the-clock travel assistance provides help with things such as rebooking flights and arranging hotels and ground transportation, and travel insurance through AIG Travel Guard could reimburse the covered additional expenses.
And for those traveling with children over the holidays, Travel Guard just announced that children 17 and under are covered at no additional cost for each insured adult under the ProtectAssist plan.
• Ship your gifts. Travelers should not pack wrapped gifts or bring wrapped gifts to the security checkpoint at the airport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may have to unwrap packages for security reasons.
• Plan ahead. TSA regulations determine what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on luggage. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers and all such containers must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. For up-to-date carry-on information, visit www.TSA.gov.
• Use the Internet to save time. Check in and print your boarding passes online to bypass long lines at the airport.
• Arrive early. Always assume airport delays and plan to arrive at the airports at least two hours before your departure time for both outbound and inbound trips.
• Bring your numbers. Bring the phone numbers of your travel agent and the travel-assistance hotline of your travel-insurance provider. If you're staying at a hotel or renting a car, bring those contact numbers with you as well.
For more information, travelers can visit www.travelguard.com or call (800) 826-1300.
With air travel soaring, it's nice to know you're covered in case of a cancellation or lost luggage.
Note to Editors: The travel insurance offered through AIG Travel Guard is underwritten by American Home Assurance Company or National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., with their principal place of business in New York, N.Y. Both of these companies are subsidiaries of AIG. The policies contain reductions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. Not all coverages are available in every state.
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