Tips for surviving the rigors of holiday travel

[November 09, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- There's not much good news for fliers this Thanksgiving. Airports will be packed, planes will have few -- if any -- empty seats and you might sit apart from a loved one, unless you pay extra.

During the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period, 25.1 million people are projected to fly, an increase of 1.5 percent from last year, according to Airlines for America, the industry's trade and lobbying group.

That would make this the busiest year since 2007, when an estimated 26 million people flew over the holiday period.

The busiest travel day will be Sunday, Dec. 1, with an estimated 2.56 million passengers, followed by Wednesday, Nov. 27, with 2.42 million passengers. In case you were wondering, the slowest travel day is Thanksgiving itself, with just 1.44 million people expected to fly.

But don't fret, there are some things you can do -- in some cases paying a little extra -- to make your trip more pleasant, or to at least buffer the damage if something goes wrong.

DELAYS

If you miss your connection -- or bad weather causes delays -- the airlines will automatically rebook you on the next available flight. However, with flights at near capacity, the next open seat could be several days away.

Don't like the flight you're rebooked on? Get in line to speak to a customer service representative. But also, call the airline directly. If the phone lines are jammed, try the airline's overseas numbers. You'll pay long-distance rates, but might not have to wait. Finally, consider sending a Tweet.

Consider buying a one-day pass to the airline lounge. For one thing, there are usually free drinks and light snacks. But the real secret to the lounges is that the airline staffs them with some of its best -- and friendliest -- ticket agents. The lines are shorter and these agents are magically able to find empty seats. One-day passes typically cost $50.

SEATS

If you and your loved ones don't have seats together already, and don't want to pay an extra $9 to $99 domestically for a "premium" coach seat, it's very likely that you will sit apart.

Set up alerts for seat openings. ExpertFlyer.com offers free notifications when a window or aisle seat becomes vacant. For 99 cents, it sends an email if adjacent seats become available.

Check the airline's website five days before the trip. That's when some elite fliers are upgraded to first class, freeing up their coach seats. Another wave of upgrades occurs every 24 to 48 hours.

Check in 24 hours in advance, when airlines start releasing more seats. If connecting, check for open seats 24 hours before the second flight departs.

Keep looking. Even after checking in, seats can be changed at airport kiosks and on some airlines' mobile applications.

LUGGAGE

Weigh a bag at home first. Anything over 50 pounds (40 pounds on some airlines like Spirit) will generate a hefty overweight surcharge -- typically $100 -- in addition to the typical $25 checked bag fee.

Before your bag disappears behind the ticket counter make sure the airline's tag has your name, flight number and final destination. As a precaution, place a copy of your flight itinerary inside your suitcase with your cellphone number and the name of your hotel.

If you can't live without it, don't check it. A lost bag can take days to recover. Don't pack medication or outfits for tomorrow's meeting or wedding in the bag you're checking. The same with jewelry or electronics.

You could be asked to check your carry-on bag, given today's crowded overhead bins. Pack a small canvas bag inside the carry-on. Use that to hold onto your valuables if you have to check the carry-on.

[Associated Press; By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ]

Scott Mayerowitz can be reached at http://twitter.com/GlobeTrotScott.

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