In the Air
Canada Lounge turn soup into a meal by adding cheese and crackers.
Pack snacks
for the plane and hotel as airport and hotel offerings could be both limited and costly.
Smooth
Sailing
Check the
Internet for flight delays prior to leaving for the airport.
If you are
travelling on an electronic ticket, print
out a paper copy (customs may require to review it).
Take time to read
signage in airports, remain calm during customs and security lines and try your best not panic.
Familiarize yourself with airport floorplans online prior to commencing your trip. This can save valuable time if you are connecting in a new terminal.
When
connecting through airports try
to limit yourself to carry on baggage as connection times are regularly too short to ensure that your bag makes it eventhough you were able to run to catch the next flight.
Watch gate screen attentively
as they may change on short notice.
Record
airport, hotel and travel agent contact
numbers before travelling.
Print out
consolate and passport information online pecific to
your destination.
Take
change for highway tolls at your destination. Obtain foreign currency when possible.
Charge
your cellular phone the night before your trip.
Make sure
that your check in agent has your aeoplan number
or alternate rewards number recorded on your boarding pass (Air Canada and Star Alliance).
Comfort
Ask for window
seating when booking tickets for good views.
Ask for
aisle seating for extra
leg room and quick access to washrooms and overhead baggage.
When
travelling with friends
or family try asking for window and aisle for best chance to get an entire
row for your own use. If someone does sit in the middle seat they
would surely switch to get a window or aisle so that you can sit together.
For extra
leg room ask for exit row, bulkhead
(just behind first class), aisle seats, first class section.
For
quieter seating ask for seating ahead of the engines or first class.
Bring
along reading material especially on discount airlines where amenities are limted.
If you do
not have access to the Air Canada Elite lounge you
can order an Enroute card with lounge access. Existing Elite members may request a spousal Lounge access card for a nominal fee for use when spouses are travelling alone.
Pre-tan
prior to heading to sun destinations
at your local tanning salon to avoid burns.
Business
travellers can make use of
the power outlets on select equipment (must request power
to your seat to be activated).
Fun
Ask the flight
crew if your kid(s) can visit the cockpit for a tour (depends on crew and airline policies - can't hurt to ask).
Look up
city site seeing destinations online.
Meet your seat mates. Airline travel offers an unusual opportunity to meet interesting people from around the world with a variety of backgrounds and living experiences.
Safety
& Security
Make sure you
have medical insurance when travelling outsite Canada especially.
Photocopy
your passport and keep it
with you in case your passport is lost or misplaced.
Get
recommendations prior to travelling for using taxis in
foreign countries for safety and cost.
Enquire
about pet cargo conditions,
avoid whenever possible as some compartments are not heated/cooled
and temperatures can kill animals.
Money
Wise
Select hotels
that offer complimentary shuttle service when pricing is equivalent. Most airport terminals offer a hotel information booth near the arrivals area.
Check if
your credit card offers free car
insurance or travel insurance.
Volunteer
with the gate agent to "bump" if
the flight is oversold and you usually will receive passage on the
next availble flight, upgrade to first class and $300 voucher for
future travel.
For
frequent travel to the same destination (business
travelers), book one way then round trip from your destination to
qualify for a Saturday night stay.
Book well
in advance of your travel date for best seat selection and discount fares.
Book
vacation travel within one week
of flying and you could get up to 50% off your vacation package.
Use
Highland Travel and they may
be able to find a consolidator ticket for much less cost then online reservation systems and pass
along significant savings to you.
Compare
hotel and airline reward deals
online before booking.
Travel in
groups and you may qualify for discounts from
your travel agent.
Top up
your rental car fuel tank to avoid service fees.
Courtesy and Respectfulness
Although seating is able to recline on most aircraft, with the latest in cost cutting objectives personal space is almost non-existent and if you do not need to recline the passenger behind you would appreciate the extra head room.
If you have to talk on your mobile phone, please keep your conversations as quiet as possible.
Use appropriate products to reduce odors that may be offensive to other passengers.
Try to refrain or minimize scents as passenger cabins are very confined spaces and some fellow passengers may have sensitivity to certain smells.
Respect other passenger's right to privacy. Reading a book, listening to music with headset, etc are indicators that they wish to not be interrupted.
Refrain from camping in someone else's seat in order to get a window or aisle in hopes that they wouldn't mind using a center seat .
Be prepared. Be efficient. Remember that most people in airports are in a rush to catch connections, get through customs, check in in time to reach their flight.
Be compassionate toward other passengers and airline staff. Most times problems and delays are beyond their control.
Do not joke about anything related to security or terrorism as it may result in you being held by airport security or customs agents for questioning and possibly a court appearance.
Travel
Tips
