If you’re interested only in evading the main cabin, you won’t find any deal alert services that don’t charge a fee. A bunch of free information sources can help you hunt down your own deal, but no premium airfare service is as automatic as Airfarewatchdog.

Why Are Premium Airfare Deals Difficult to Find?

One reason for the lack of a simple premium airfare system is that, for many travelers, premium flying is inextricably bound to frequent flyer programs. The best way to get into a front cabin is often by using frequent flyer miles. And for some, the game is to apply for a bunch of credit cards that offer huge initial bonuses if you meet an exorbitantly large monthly charge threshold for the first few months. So the problem of finding outright premium airfare deals isn’t easy, but it’s not insurmountable, either.

Where to Find Premium Airfare Deals

Still, premium deals are available. Airlines offer flash sales and special promotions in premium cabins just as they do in economy. A few years ago, I found (and bought) a round-trip business class ticket to Asia for just $1,500—which was less than half the nominal first-class rate.

How to Find Premium Airfare Deals

First, set yourself up for success on your hunt for the best premium airfare deals by following these booking tips.

Set Up Fare Alerts

Ideally, you’d be able to monitor every booking site at all hours of the day, ready to pounce on the best deal as soon as it goes live. Unfortunately, few of us have the time to spend hours sifting through fares. This is where airfare deal alerts come in handy. Many top flight search sites allow you to track certain itineraries and will send you alerts when fares drop on your preferred travel dates. Expedia’s “Price Tracking” and AirfareWatchdog’s “Deal Alerts” are among the best options. Setting up multiple alerts on multiple travel dates increases your chance of scoring a great rate.

How to Set Up Flight Price Alerts: Flight search sites make it easy to set up fare alerts. Oftentimes it’s as easy as searching for the route you want and toggling a switch on the flight results page. From there, you’ll be prompted to enter your email or create an account so the site can send you the latest fares. On our sister site, Airfarewatchog, all you have to do is click “track this route” to be alerted to price drops and great deals to your destination. 

Listen to the Data

Some flight search sites use predictive analysis and historical booking data to let travelers know when the best time to book a certain route may be. Momondo’s “Our Advice” section on their flight search results page offers recommendations for when travelers should buy and predictions for future price changes. On a flight search for business and first class fares from Los Angeles to New York, Momondo let me know that I should buy now and that “prices [were] unlikely to decrease within 7 days.”

Travel on Tuesdays

While there is some debate about whether Tuesday remains the peak day to fly, it can’t hurt to take into consideration. According to NerdWallet, airfare can be roughly 24% lower for flights departing on a Tuesday. This applies across fare classes, so try snagging a business or first class airfare deal.

Book on Off Days and During Off Season

If traveling during a high air traffic season, like around Christmas or spring break, booking flights on less popular travel dates can lead to better fare deals. According to Hopper, international flights that departing on Christmas Day this past holiday season saw airfare up to 17% lower than flights departing the previous Friday. Additionally, travel during your destination’s off season will see cheaper fares across the board.

Shoot for an Upgrade

Gone are the days when free upgrades were (relatively) easy to obtain. However, for those willing to do their due diligence there’s still hope. Follow our guide on how to really get an airline upgrade to try your luck.

Expand Your Horizons

Traditionally, the most luxe fares were business and first class and the rest of the cabin was stuck in coach. But recently, the emergence of fares like premium economy have made it possible for a budget traveler to fly in comparative style. Expand your search to include these alternate classes to get the same benefits at a much lower price.

Paid Services to Find Premium Airfare Deals

If managing your own fare alerts and flight searches sounds daunting, don’t worry. There are services dedicated to doing the legwork for you.

First Class Flyer

First Class Flyer is the gold standard for finding deals on premium airfare, for both performance and membership price. The minimum Silver level costs $97 per year, and gets you a daily bulletin that covers special deals for both cash payments and use of miles. Higher levels of membership cost $197 and $297 per year and add on a bunch of additional information that’s useful, but not essential, if you’re just looking for flash sales.

MightyTravels

MightyTravels’ premium option is $69 per year and offers daily bulletins on economy class deals from your home airport. Their Premium Pro ($199/year) membership includes bulletins on economy, premium economy, and business class deals from your home airport, including unpublished and “mistake fares”, while Premium Max ($159/year) adds on additional tiered benefits, such as Travel Concierge Assistance.

Going

A membership with Going—formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights—works similarly to those listed above, however the first two membership tiers are less expensive than the either MightyTravels or First Class Flyer. A Limited Membership is free and gets you access to economy deals within the continental United States from your home airport. The Premium membership is $5.99 per month ($69 annually) and unlocks both domestic (all 50 states) and international economy deals. The Elite tier is where you’ll find premium economy, business class, and first class airfare deals, for just $16.58 per month ($199 annually). Both Premium and Elite members have access to points and miles deals, mistake fares, and custom destination alerts.

Free Blogs to Find Premium Airfare Deals

A handful of free blogs also cover the full gamut of airfare deals with a minor focus on premium cabin options. All or most of the free blogs often find the same deals—so you’re probably ok finding one you like and sticking with it. Options include AirfareSpot.com, Godsavethepoints, No Mas Coach, One Mile at a Time, The Points Guy, and View from the Wing. There’s a lot about credit cards, hotels, and other stuff in them, too, but they do dig out some good premium deals.

FlyerTalk also has an online forum on premium flying. It’s not organized for easy search, but it’s especially good for deals that originate outside of the U.S.

So unless you spring for the First Class Flyer or MightyTravels paid services, you’ll have to do your own digging through blogs and websites. But that’s a lot easier than spending hours on a metasearch engine, yourself. The amount of money you’ll save warrants a bit of extra effort, anyways.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Where to Find Premium Airfare Deals on First Class and Business Class appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Short-term luggage storage site LuggageHero analyzed data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation for the period of January to June 2023 to determine the best and worst airlines for luggage handling. 

According to the study, American Airlines mishandled or lost the most bags in the first six months of 2023, with 0.80 percent of bags going missing or arriving late/damaged. American Airlines, United, and Envoy were the worst U.S. airlines overall for handling luggage. 

If you must check a bag, try to fly on Allegiant, Endeavor Air, or Southwest, which LuggageHero named the best U.S. airlines for handling luggage. Allegiant Airline lost or mishandled just 0.16 percent of bags.

Tips for Preventing Lost Luggage

Reduce the chances of lost luggage by following these tips:

1. Pack an Apple Air Tag or other tracking device inside your luggage
2. Remove any old airline stickers or baggage tags before checking your bag
3. Clearly label your luggage with your current contact information
4. Avoid booking connecting flights
5. Lock your suitcase with a TSA-approved lock

The post The Best and Worst U.S. Airlines for Checked Bags appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Are you in agreement or are you misaligned with most of the traveling public? Travel site Kayak conducted a poll of the most hotly debated travel opinions to determine the Unspoken Rules of Air Travel.

Here’s what the survey found:

Cutting the Line Is Ok

About to miss your flight? According to Kayak’s survey, 57 percent of travelers will have sympathy for you (and will let you cut the line) if it’s the difference between making it to the gate in time or being left stranded.

Unattended Children Should Be Banned

Letting your kids run around the airport (or plane) freely in the hopes they’ll burn off some energy? 90 percent of respondents ask that you rein them in, voting that children shouldn’t be left unattended during travel.

Don’t Stand on the Moving Sidewalk

If your personal pet peeve is people who ride the moving sidewalks at the airport (rather than walking on it), you’re not alone—57 percent of travelers feel the same way. 

Just remember, moving sidewalks are a huge help to people with mobility issues—so try to extend some grace and patience when travelers aren’t walking on them. 

Clapping When the Plane Lands Is Annoying

Your fellow passengers ask you to hold your applause when the plane touches down. A close margin of 51 percent of flyers thinks this measure of appreciation is “pointless” because the pilots can’t hear you.

The Middle Seat Doesn’t Get Both Armrests

A surprising 57 percent of passengers have no sympathy for the person stuck in the middle seat, saying the armrests are up for anyone to grab. 

Reclining Your Seat is Acceptable

Go ahead and lean back (just please, do it the right way) next time you fly. A vast majority (88 percent) believe that the recline button is offered for a reason.

Leave Your Socks On

Fellow flyers don’t want to see (or smell) your bare feet. Seventy-six percent of passengers voted that people should keep their socks on during a flight.

The post The 7 Most Controversial Travel Opinions appeared first on SmarterTravel.

As with most issues involving air travel, what happens if you miss a connecting flight depends on your specific situation.

Missed Connecting Flight Due to Airline

If the missed connection is the airline’s fault (a delayed initial flight due to mechanical problems, for example), the airline should rebook you on the next available flight. If the next outbound flight is the following morning, the airline should either book you on another airline or provide accommodations and meals. But these arrangements are voluntary on the airline’s part; they’re not mandated by any law or regulation.

The DOT, however, recently announced its intention to propose rules requiring airlines to provide compensation to passengers impacted by delays or cancellations within the airline’s control. These rules are expected to be outlined later this year and aim to alleviate the financial burden on the stranded passengers who must find alternative accommodations, meals, and transportation.

Missed Connecting Flight Due to Weather

If inclement weather leads to a missed connecting flight, the airline will help you rebook but likely won’t offer any compensation for meals or accommodations. (That said, it never hurts to ask.) Travel insurance can be very useful in this type of situation, as it will often pay for expenses that an airline won’t cover.

Missing Your Flight Because of Something Within Your Control

If something within your control causes you to miss your connecting flight, you’re essentially on your own. This could include mishaps like missing your first flight because you were sitting in traffic, booking too tight of a connection, or getting too distracted at the airport bookstore to hear your boarding announcement. The airline will almost certainly help you rebook, but it’s under no obligation to do so, and you may have to pay a change fee plus any applicable fare difference.

Keep in mind that airlines generally won’t assume responsibility for missed connections on two separate tickets. For example, if you book one leg of your trip on JetBlue and the second ticket on United, United will not take responsibility if JetBlue’s flight doesn’t get you to the connecting airport on time.

While bad weather and mechanical problems are obviously beyond your control, you can take steps to give yourself a better chance of making your connection. Be sure you have plenty of time between flights, particularly if you’re flying into a large or notoriously busy airport or if you’ll need to go through customs and immigration. If it’s cheaper to book two separate flights on different airlines, it’s particularly important to leave extra time for the connection.

For help figuring out how long your connection should be, see what you need to know about making a connecting flight.

The way I see it, spending a little more time waiting at the gate beats being stranded at the airport or running desperately from one terminal to another trying to make your flight.

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Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2015. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post What Happens If I Miss My Connecting Flight Through No Fault of My Own? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Carry-On vs. Personal Item: What You Need to Know About Baggage Policies

For years, personal items have flown mostly under the radar, but in the new world of basic economy—in which airlines are offering cheaper base fares but charging for carry-ons—more and more people will be traveling with nothing but a personal item.

When you’re traveling on the cheap and trying to pack as much as possible into a very limited amount of space, knowing the rules is vital. Here’s a look at the personal item and carry-on size limits for 10 major U.S. airlines and 22 top international carriers.

A few important notes:

• The dimensions below reflect length, height, and width, and include wheels and handles.
• Personal item and carry-on dimensions listed below reflect the size limits for flyers in economy class. (Airlines often have more generous baggage allowances for flyers in first or business class.)
• If you’re traveling on a codeshare flight, you’ll need to check the baggage restrictions for the airline operating the flight—not necessarily the airline through which you booked.
• On shorter trips flown on smaller planes, even regulation-size carry-ons may need to be gate-checked. (In such cases, you shouldn’t be charged the normal checked bag fee.)
• Because carriers can change their rules at any time, it’s a good idea to double-check before each trip.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Carry-on Size Limit

On Alaska flights, your carry-on must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The following items may be substituted for your carry-on bag even if they’re over the limit: paintings, small musical instruments, art/advertising portfolios, human organs, fishing poles, and “delicate scientific equipment.”

Recommended carry-on: Samsonite Voltage DLX Carry-On Spinner

Alaska Airlines Personal Item Size Limit

Personal items are only defined as a “purse, briefcase, or laptop computer,” and the airline notes that either your carry-on or personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Jackets, hats, umbrellas, personal pillows, food, child safety seats, strollers, service animals, medications, assistive/medical devices, and a “reasonable amount of reading material” do not count toward your carry-on or personal item allowance.

Recommended personal item: Mancro Laptop Backpack

Allegiant

Allegiant Carry-on Size Limit

On Allegiant, your carry-on may be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches (and you’ll have to pay for it—anywhere from $15 to $45 at the time of booking, $50 at the counter, or up to $75 at the gate).

Recommended carry-on: Samsonite Theorym 22x14x9 Spinner

Allegiant Personal Item Size Limit

Your personal item on Allegiant is free and may measure up to 16 x 15 x 7 inches. Examples of personal items include purses, briefcases, and small backpacks. In addition, you may bring assistive devices, strollers, a coat, a small umbrella, a diaper bag, and food to eat during the flight.

Recommended personal item: AOTIAN Mini Nylon Backpack

American Airlines

American Airlines Carry-on Size Limit

American limits carry-on bags to 22 x 14 x 9 inches, although soft-sided garment bags up to a total of 51 inches (length + width + height) are also acceptable. Note that musical instruments and pets will count as a carry-on item.

Recommended carry-on: Elevation Plus 22x14x9 Spinner

American Airlines Personal Item Size Limit

Your American Airlines personal item should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches and must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Potentially larger items that don’t count as personal items include diaper bags, child safety seats, and medical and mobility devices; these may be brought aboard in addition to your carry-on and personal item.

Recommended personal item: Calpak Haven Laptop Tote Bag

Delta

Delta Carry-on Size Limit

The maximum carry-on size on Delta is 22 x 14 x 9 inches or a total of 45 inches combined. There’s no carry-on weight limit except at select Asian airports, where the maximum weight ranges from 15 to 22 pounds.

Recommended carry-on: Briggs & Riley International 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Delta Personal Item Size Limit

Delta does not give size dimensions for personal items, but says they should be approximately the size of a purse, briefcase, laptop bag, or diaper bag. Things that can be brought aboard in addition to your personal item include jackets, umbrellas, food and drinks purchased in the terminal, strollers, child seats, and medical and mobility devices.

Recommended personal item: CAMTOP Weekend Overnight Bag

Frontier

Frontier Carry-on Size Limit

Frontier permits carry-on bags up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches and 35 pounds. You’ll need to pay for your carry-on bag unless you’re an Elite flyer.

Recommended carry-on: AmazonBasics 20″ Hardside Spinner Luggage

Frontier Personal Item Size Limit

Your personal item can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches and must fit under the seat in front of you. All flyers can bring a personal item for free. Coats, diaper bags, canes, assistive devices, and foot rugs “for use during prayer” can all be brought aboard as additional free items.

Recommended personal item: Samsonite Silhouette 17 Wheeled Underseater

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-on Size Limit

On Hawaiian Airlines, your carry-on may be up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches and 25 pounds.

Recommended carry-on: Briggs & Riley International 21″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Hawaiian Airlines Personal Item Size Limit

The airline doesn’t offer specific dimensions, but notes that your personal item should be a “laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.”

Recommended personal item: Kenneth Cole Reaction Chelsea Quilted Chevron 15″ Laptop Tote

JetBlue

JetBlue Carry-on Size Limit

On JetBlue, your carry-on must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The airline does not have a weight limit for carry-on bags.

Recommended carry-on: Samsonite Voltage DLX Carry-On Spinner

JetBlue Personal Item Size Limit

Personal items should not exceed 17 x 13 x 8 inches and must fit under the seat. You can also bring duty-free items (in “a reasonable and limited amount”), a diaper bag, assistive devices, a coat, an umbrella, and/or an infant car seat without eating into your carry-on or personal item allowance.

Recommended personal item: Briggs & Riley Expandable Cabin Bag

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Carry-on Size Limit

Southwest has a more generous carry-on limit than most U.S. airlines, allowing bags up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches. If you’re bringing a pet, its carrier will count as either your carry-on or personal item.

Recommended carry-on: AmazonBasics 20″ Hardside Spinner Luggage

Southwest Personal Item Size Limit

On Southwest, your personal item must be 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches or less, and fit under the seat in front of you. Assistive/mobility devices, jackets, canes, umbrellas, and food to eat during the flight all count as extras that you can bring in addition to your carry-on and personal item.

Recommended personal item: Ronyes Unisex College Bag

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines Carry-on Size Limit

Spirit has a slightly more generous size limit for its carry-ons than most other U.S. airlines, with a maximum of 22 x 18 x 10 inches. The catch, though, is that you’ll have to pay extra to bring anything beyond a personal item.

Recommended carry-on: eBags TLS Mother Lode Mini 21″ Wheeled Carry-on Duffel

Spirit Airlines Personal Item Size Limit

Personal items can be up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches, large enough to include a sizable purse or smaller backpack.

Recommended personal item: Lululemon Commuter Multi-Wear Backpack

United Airlines

United Airlines Carry-on Size Limit

On United, the maximum carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Note, however, that if you’re traveling in basic economy, you may only bring a personal item. (There are a few exceptions: those traveling on transatlantic flights, and Premier members or primary card members using qualifying MileagePlus credit cards.)

Recommended carry-on:

United Airlines Personal Item Size Limit

United personal items must fit under the seat in front of you and may not be larger than 17 x 10 x 9 inches. Items such as jackets, umbrellas, diaper bags, food purchased in the airport, assistive devices, child safety seats, cameras, and reading material may be brought aboard in addition to your carry-on and personal item.

Recommended personal item: Herschel Nova Backpack

Carry-on and Personal Item Size Limits on International Airlines

The chart below features the maximum sizes for carry-on bags and personal items on 22 major international airlines. Note that baggage restrictions may vary depending on your specific route. Some measurements are approximate, having been converted from centimeters into inches or from kilograms into pounds.

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Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer who is always looking for her next adventure. Follow her on Twitter @jamieditaranto.

Editor’s note: Sarah Schlichter contributed to this story. This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post Carry-On and Personal Item Size Limits for 32 Major Airlines appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Don’t Leave the Airport

After waiting a long time to claim your luggage, if your suitcase shows up damaged, you may just want to grab your bag and head home—thinking you’ll deal with submitting a claim online later. 

This mistake could cost you. Leaving the airport could forfeit your right to claim reimbursement from the airline for your damaged bag. Most airlines require you to show your damaged bag in-person at the airport in order to submit a claim.

For example, Delta’s policy states: “If you feel your baggage was damaged during a flight, bring it to the Delta Air Lines Baggage Office immediately after arrival. All damages must be evaluated in person by a Delta representative at the baggage service office.”

Know Your Rights

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has clear guidelines outlining what airlines are responsible for if they damage your baggage.

For domestic flights, airlines are allowed to limit their liability for baggage, so you’ll want to carefully read your airline’s contract of carriage to determine how much you can claim for. Airlines can also exclude liability for certain items (such as electronics or fragile items), meaning they won’t be responsible for damage—even if it was clearly the airline’s fault. 

For international flights, airlines must cover up to $1,700 for lost, damaged, or delayed bags. Airlines operating international flights cannot exclude certain categories of items from being protected by damage. 

Document the Damage

Take photos and videos of your damaged luggage, including any items inside that were broken or damaged. Include photos of the luggage barcode tags showing which flight your luggage was on.

Be sure to leave the luggage tags on the bag until the claim is settled, as many airlines will require them as supporting proof for your claim. 

Documenting your bag before a trip is always a great idea, as you can clearly show the condition that your suitcases (and the contents inside) were in when you handed it over to the airline.

Check Your Credit Card 

Many credit cards offer travel insurance for delayed, lost or damaged baggage. If you’re struggling to get adequate compensation from the airline, check your credit card benefits to see if you’re covered. You may find it easier to get reimbursed for damage from your credit card than the airline.

Try the Manufacturer 

If your expensive suitcase gets damaged, go back to the manufacturer. Many luggage brands offer limited (or lifetime) warranty coverage for things like broken wheels, torn handles, or other things that aren’t considered “normal wear and tear.” 

The post What to Do If an Airline Damages Your Luggage appeared first on SmarterTravel.

You get to the airport early, your luggage is checked, you have your boarding pass in hand—and you find out that your flight is overbooked. While airlines can usually find passengers willing to take a different flight in exchange for compensation, it’s the unfortunate truth that the act of involuntarily bumping passengers is pretty commonplace. Most people go calmly, if not happily. But legally if the airline tells you to go, you have to go.

Fortunately, you have rights when you are involuntarily bumped. The Department of Transportation takes this issue seriously and has several rules in place designed to protect and compensate affected passengers. The DOT’s website has the full rules, but here are the highlights:

• First, the DOT requires airlines to give passengers “a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn’t.”
• If the airline re-accomodates you on a flight that gets you to your final destination within one hour of your original scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation.
• If the alternative flight gets you there between one and two hours later (or between one and four hours on international flights), you should receive an amount equal to “200% of your one-way fare to your final destination that day, or $775, whichever amount is lower.”
• Finally, if you’re more than two hours late (four hours internationally), or if the airline doesn’t re-accomodate you at all, you should get “400% of your one-way fare, or $1,550, whichever amount is lower.”

The airline must also refund any optional services you paid for (like seat selection) if you don’t receive them on the alternative flight.

Your carefully scheduled travel plans can be significantly disrupted by an involuntary bumping. While bumping remains relatively rare, the DOT has noted an increased rate of bumping since the start of the pandemic, with July through September of 2022 seeing a bumping rate of 0.22 per 10,000 passengers as compared to 0.19 per 10,000 passengers for the same period in 2019.

So it probably won’t happen to you, which is good. But it’s still important to know your rights. Decrease your chances of getting bumped even further by booking on the airlines that are least likely to bump passengers.

The post What Are Your Rights When You’re Involuntarily Bumped? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

If you have flexible travel plans, an oversold flight could be good news for you—the airline will start by asking for volunteers and offering cash or vouchers to anyone willing to give up their seat. If there are no takers initially, the rewards can get quite high.

However, if no one volunteers to take another flight, the airline can involuntarily bump flyers—even though they have a valid ticket. To avoid this happening to you, consider flying with one of the airlines least likely to bump passengers.

To determine the airlines least and most likely to bump people off a flight, luggage storage site Bounce analyzed data from the US Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report for April through June 2022. Bounce calculated the rate of passengers denied boarding (including both voluntary and involuntary bumping) per 10,000 flyers.

The Airline That Bumped the Most Passengers

In April through June 2022, Endeavor Air bumped the most passengers. Endeavor Air is a regional airline and subsidiary of Delta Airlines that’s also known as Delta Connection. Endeavor Air denied boarding to 12.86 people per 10,000 passengers.

The Airline That Bumped the Most Passengers

Comparatively, Hawaiian Airlines bumped hardly any flyers over the same time period, denying boarding to just 0.56 passengers per 10,000.

What Happens if You’re Involuntarily Bumped From a Flight?

If you are involuntarily bumped from your flight, the airline will owe you big. Know your rights and what you are entitled to, so you can make sure you are compensated accordingly. 

According to the US Department of Transportation (DOT), “Passengers who are denied boarding involuntarily due to oversales are entitled to compensation that is based on the price of their ticket, the length of time that they are delayed in getting to their destination because of being denied boarding, and whether their flight is a domestic flight or an international flight leaving from the United States.”

The DOT has helpful charts on their website that can show you what you are owed based on the length of time your trip was delayed.

The post The Airlines Most Likely to Bump You off a Flight appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Hotels Have Stuff Most Guests Don’t Think to Borrow

You’ve probably hit up the hotel front desk for simple toiletry items you left at home, but Sarah Dandashy, who serves as concierge at the London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills and blogs at Ask a Concierge, notes that many properties have a whole treasure trove of other things you can request. Her list includes “phone chargers, adapters, safety pins, umbrellas, Band-Aids, tampons, nail files, hair ties, lint rollers, razors, and, funny enough, earplugs. Every hotel varies, but I’ve even loaned out bowties and cufflinks!”

Samantha Firth of Travelling King, who spent five years behind the front desks at various Hilton, Hyatt, and Four Seasons properties, notes that many hotels offer pillow menus that aren’t always advertised in the rooms. She also says some properties offer hair straighteners, pod-style coffee machines, and even PlayStation consoles for kids.

Don’t Count on Getting Into Your Room Early

Multiple staffers told me that guests demanding early access to their rooms was among the biggest pet peeves of hotel front desk employees. “Yes, we know you’re a platinum member who travels 350 million days a year, but we can’t go around waking up guests to get you a room,” says Stephanie Rodriguez, Front Office Manager at Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Downtown.

“If the room is ready, we will grant early access—after all, we want to provide a good service,” says Pedro Richardson of Travel with Pedro, who worked in the hotel industry for 12 years. “But this is not always possible due to high occupancy the previous night.”

It can help to let the hotel know in advance when you’ll be arriving, advises Richardson; that way the staff can prioritize the cleaning of your room. But this strategy isn’t foolproof.

“If you know you’re going to be really tired on arrival and want a guarantee that you’ll be able to check in right away, book the room from the night before and inform the hotel you’ll be arriving in the night or the early morning,” says Cat Ekkelboom-White of We Are the Wanderers, who spent four years working at the front desk of a hotel in Innsbruck, Austria. “That way, you know your room will be ready and waiting for you.”

Ask, and Ye May Receive

While upgrades, discounts, and perks are never guaranteed, the hotel front desk staffers I spoke with say it never hurts to ask. “If the guest calls the hotel to make a booking and simply asks for a better rate nicely and politely, many will be prepared to offer a small discount,” says Richardson. “It’s that simple.”

Dandashy agrees: “The power of asking nicely is huge! Just be sure to communicate if you are there for a  special occasion and ask for what you are looking for. Being specific helps. Ask if you’d like a room upgrade, or if they can send up complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries and Champagne for special occasions. Front desk agents get asked for things all the time. Just be straightforward and nice, and they might even throw in another amenity!”

Not all hotel front desk staffers are equally empowered to dole out things like free amenities, room credits, or upgrades. “If you feel like the front desk is a little limited in what they can offer, you can always politely ask for a manager,” says Dandashy.

For best results, put your request in as early as possible—preferably during your initial booking. It helps the hotel to know in advance that you’re hoping for birthday Champagne or that you’d prefer a room away from the elevators.

You Get What You Pay For

Shopping around online for the cheapest possible rate might land you the price you’re looking for, but it will also likely score you a lesser room. “Not every booking platform is offering the same quality of rooms,” Ekkelboom-White warns. “If you see a ‘double room’ on two different websites for two different prices and they seem to be the same, the more expensive one is likely to be a better room.”

Being a Frequent Guest Pays Off

If you travel frequently to a particular city, it’s worth staying in the same place each time and developing a relationship with the hotel front desk staff there. Richardson says that regular guests often get extra perks: “All hotels where I worked had a program where the guest would get a treat every five stays, or every few days if it was a long stay (more than a week).”

Firth notes that regular guests are often first in line for upgrades if a hotel overbooks a particular room category.

Hotel Front Desk Staffers Appreciate Tips, Too

Most guests know to tip the concierge and the housekeeper, but it might not occur to you to leave a few bucks for the person who checks you in at the front desk. “If a front desk agent was able to do something extra to make your stay an amazing one, give them a tip as a thank you,” recommends Dandashy. “My rule of thumb for tipping: Tip AFTER an agent (or anyone) has helped you. A tip beforehand seems like a bribe. But a tip afterward is a lovely thing.”

Here’s What Does—and Doesn’t—Work When Requesting an Upgrade

As noted above, it’s useful to point out if you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply to ask politely for an upgrade if one becomes available. It doesn’t hurt to get creative either: “The best way to get your way is to be nice—or come bearing chocolates,” says Rodriguez.

Firth concurs: “Cookies are great bribes!”

What’s not so useful are rude behaviors such as making demands (instead of asking) and acting as though your loyalty status or your job title (“I’m a CEO!”) entitles you to endless perks.

Hotel staffers also don’t take kindly to manipulation. “I have handled a few guests who eagerly search for shortfalls in a hotel while seeking perks,” says Mokshta Chauhan, who blogs at Miss with Migratory Wings and has worked at five different hotels in India. “They’ll say something like, ‘Your bedsheet has a stain; this is not acceptable in a hotel of this class. [You can make up for it] by upgrading me to one of your suites.'”

Hotel Front Desk Staffers See Some Crazy Things

When I asked front desk workers about the worst guest behavior they’ve encountered, they came up with some doozies. Richardson once had a guest who threw a hissy fit over a dysfunctional keycard: “The guest broke the keycard in front of me, [screamed profanities], and threw the card pieces on my face.”

Chauhan had a bad encounter with a guest who had to wait an hour to get into his room due to high occupancy. “When I approached this guest and handed over the key to him, apologizing for the wait, he replied, ‘I’m not happy with that apology.’ He wanted me to feel miserable for making him wait and demanded that I apologize to each of his family members.” Chauhan did so, but the guest still wasn’t satisfied. He pointed his finger at her and told her not to show her face to him for the duration of his stay.

Firth not-so-fondly recalls a drunken guest who smashed a glass table in his room and threatened to sue the hotel if it wasn’t cleaned up within five minutes. “The guest refused to be moved to another room (he was also offered an upgrade). The general manager had to be called in as the guest become highly abusive, screaming and shouting in the lobby while sitting on the floor in a puddle of his own urine.”

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

While most guests aren’t as boorish as the ones above, hotel front desk workers see their fair share of rude behavior—so they’ll often go the extra mile for guests who are friendly and kind.

“The job isn’t an easy one,” says Dandashy. “We stand on our feet all day, and we work unconventional hours and even most holidays. Sometimes it’s hard to even take a break in the middle of a busy day, and we find ourselves running to the back office to scarf down a bite to eat in five minutes or less. So be kind. It is VERY appreciated!”

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

The post Hotel Front Desk Secrets: 9 Ways to Improve Your Stay appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The good news is that travelers sometimes have the option to choose from multiple airports in a single destination (for example, between O’Hare and Midway in Chicago). So it’s helpful to know which airport is statistically more likely to get you where you need to be on-time.

We’ve crunched the data provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). A delay is defined as a flight arriving 15 minutes or more past its scheduled arrival time. The information below is for flights that operated in the 2021 calendar year across the 30 busiest airports in the country.

Which US Airports Have The Most Arrival Delays?

If you can, you might want to avoid these airports the next time you fly.

1. Newark (25% of flights delayed)
2. Orlando (24% of flights)
3. Fort Lauderdale (23% of flights)
4. Dallas/Fort Worth (22% of flights)
5. Las Vegas (21% of flights)
6. Denver (21% of flights)
7. Chicago Midway (21% of flights)
8. Tampa (21% of flights)
9. Baltimore (20% of flights)
10. New York JFK (20% of flights)

What Destinations Have the Worst Delays?

It’s worth noting that 8 out of the 10 most-delayed airports are in the eastern half of the country, so passengers flying in or out of that region might want to leave extra time for connections or transfers. 

Which US Airports Have The Most On-Time Arrivals?

If you’re hoping for an on-time (or early!) arrival, try flying into one of these airports. 

1. Atlanta (12% of flights delayed)
2. Minneapolis/St Paul (12% of flights delayed)
3. Honolulu (13% of flights delayed)
4. Charlotte (14% of flights delayed
5. Detroit (14% of flights delayed)
6. Salt Lake City (of flights delayed)
7. Seattle (16% of flights delayed)
8. New York LaGuardia (16% of flights delayed)
9. Washington Dulles (17% of flights delayed)
10. San Francisco (17% of flights delayed)

Which Airline Should You Fly to Arrive On-Time?

Six out of the top 10 on-time airports are Delta hubs; in fact, Delta has the second-best on-time ranking out of the 13 major airlines operating in the US (after leader Hawaiian Airlines). 

For travelers in the New York area, LaGuardia has the best on-time performance of the three major airports in the city

If you’re in Washington DC, Dulles International Airport (IAD) ranks better for on-time performance than Baltimore and Reagan National

Even with its frequent fog, San Francisco is still in the top third of airports for on-time arrivals

Which Airport Has The Most Delays In The World?

It’s important to keep things in perspective. Whilst a 25% delay rate for New York’s Newark Airport is definitely not ideal, there is a major hub in Asia at which almost half of arriving flights are delayed.

That prize goes to the Indonesian capital Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, which has a 48% (!) delay rate. Rounding out the top 5 are Mumbai, Hong Kong, Seoul Incheon and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

In fact, no US airport makes the list of the top 10 worst international airports for delays; it’s solely airports in Asia and Europe that round out that ranking.

The post The Top 10 U.S. Airports With The Most Delays, Ranked appeared first on SmarterTravel.