Over the hills or through the woods, no matter how you
plan on getting to Grandmother's house this year, ShopAtHome.com's
holiday travel tips will make planning your holiday vacation a
little easier on you and your wallet.
Getting There
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Whether you've seen pictures of crowded airports on the
news or experienced them first hand, it's no surprise
that Thanksgiving to New Years marks the busiest
long-distance travel period of the year. The Internet
is the most popular – and easiest – way to research
and plan your family's holiday trip.
If you're unsure of your travel plans, check out online travel
agencies – like Priceline
– for last minute packages and flight specials.
A whopping 91 percent of holiday travelers drive to their destination
during the holiday season. If you’re planning a long trip, make sure you
have a restful place to stay to break up the trip! You’ll be sure to find a
Motel 6
on your route, plus kids stay for free!
No matter how you plan your travels, keep ShopAtHome.com in mind for Free
Coupons and Cash Back!
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Planning Your Trip
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Planning your holiday vacation will be made easier with these helpful tips.
- Remember to pack a camera – It's cheaper to purchase film and
memory cards for your camera in advance than in touristy cities or smaller towns. Check out
Snapfish
when you get home to get free shipping on Digital Photo Frames +50 FREE Prints for New Customers
unitl December 31, 2009 plus get 10% Cash Back.
- Research – spending a little time may prevent you from spending more money.
Check out Web sites such as Hotwire.com or
CheapTickets.com to find the best deals.
- Be flexible – Travel on off-peak days like Tuesday and Wednesday and
avoid major holiday travel days like the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas.
If your dates are really flexible, consider bidding on a flight at
Priceline.com.
You could save up to 40% on flights.
- Consider flying in to smaller airports - Think Burbank, instead of LAX or
LaGuardia, instead of JFK. This will give you additional scheduling and fare options.
- Take "additional charges" into account – Some airlines charge for snacks,
drinks, checked bags and even pillows. Take these charges into account when
you are searching for your flight.
- If you see a good fare, grab it – Waiting can cause rates to increase, or
flights to sell out. Don't wait to book flights - once you find a bargain,
make sure to check your flight regularly to ensure that nothing has changed.
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Staying There
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Maybe Aunt Lizzy snores, or Cousin Jimmy talks in his sleep. Perhaps your cheeks are a
little too tender after one too many of Grandma's pinches, or more likely, your sister's
house is just a little too small for that many people. Whatever the reason, booking
a hotel near your family's house for the holidays may not seem like such a bad
idea. Book in advance at Holiday Inn Hotels and you could save 20% on your early reservation.
With Marriott Hotels you'll find a hotel to suit your needs worldwide. Choose from over 3,000 hotels and earn 3% Cash Back.
Sheraton Hotels
offer special deals - from free breakfast to Universal Studio tickets - so take a look, and don't just
settle for ordinary.
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Travel Tips
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Knowing that holiday travel brings inexperienced and infrequent
travelers to airports, the Traffic Security Administration has
put together holiday specific 3-1-1 information to make security
check points a breeze. For more detailed information, check out
TSA's Web site.
The 3-1-1
- Liquids, aerosols & gels must be in containers 3 ounces or less
- Items must be put in a 1 quart, clear plastic zip-top bag,
- Only 1 zip-top bag per passenger.
- Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to
inspect a package they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wrap gifts after arriving at your destination.
- Apply 3-1-1 to gifts. Food items such as jams
and salsas, or gift items, such as lotions and snow globes – even if they are in
sealed gift packs - will not be allowed through the checkpoint unless they are
in containers three ounces or less and in the passenger's one quart zip-top bag.
- Know what's prohibited. A gift you
plan to bring in your carry-on bag might be on TSA's Prohibited Items list. Check
the list before you leave.
- Arrive on time. Give yourself time and
be prepared - you must have a boarding pass and valid government photo ID to enter
the security checkpoint.
- Dress the part – check all metal items –
from coins to keys and jewelry, and wear shoes you can easily take off – you'll have
to to walk through security. Jackets and bulky sweaters may be screened also, so
if you need one, make sure you can take it off quickly.
- Be considerate and save jokes for after the
checkpoint. Please follow directions. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate
jokes and threats will not be tolerated, and will result in delays and possibly
missed flights.
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