Travel Guard Celebrates Summer Family Travel In Conjunction with National Travel & Tourism Week
Stevens Point, Wis., 2013-05-08 — /travelprnews.com/ — In a recent survey from the U.S. Travel Association, 93 percent of kids aged 8 to 18 see family travel as a chance to spend quality time with their parents.1 Today, on National Travel & Tourism Week’s “Rally Day,” Travel Guard (www.travelguard.com), a leading provider of travel insurance solutions, offers the following tips to help make sure family vacations go as smoothly as possible:
Research and Plan Ahead: If you’re working with a travel agent, ask for advice on your destination and recommendations and tips for the area. Additionally, reading destination and activity reviews in advance can help make sure you get the most out of your trip. A destination planner contains important travel information like embassy information, climate ranges, how to call internationally nearly anywhere on earth, and more.
Flights – It’s all About Timing: Planning family travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Families can often find the best deal on flights by booking Tuesday afternoons around 49 days before they plan to depart. 2 To make travel flow smoothly, families planning a summer trip with air travel should check-in online and arrive at the airport at least two hours early. Limiting luggage to one carry-on per ticketed passenger can also save costs on checked luggage and time spent at baggage claim.
Know the Rules: Being mindful of airport rules, especially while going through screening, can reduce hassle while traveling. According to a recently updated TSA rule, kids 12 and under no longer need to remove their shoes at security.3 Liquids, gels and aerosols should be in 3.4 ounce or smaller containers and packed in a one quart, zip-top bag. Medically necessary liquids and gels are allowed in greater, but reasonable, amounts. Ask if the airport has a family lane so you and your kids can skip past the longest part of the security line. To stay up-to-date, review the TSA’s rules for traveling with children before taking off.4
Watch the Weather: Keep an eye on weather conditions. From hurricanes in the southeastern U.S. and Caribbean to tornadoes in the Midwest, turbulent weather can disrupt even the best laid travel plans. Even if the area to which you are traveling does not experience severe weather, your plans can be disrupted by delayed or cancelled flights elsewhere. Sign up for mobile weather updates and monitor your flight status using your airline carrier’s website or one of many handy travel apps.
Hydration, Sunscreen and Medication: Fun in the sun can be a big part of family trips, but sunburns and dehydration should not be. Protect yourself and your family from the sun by applying sunscreen and drinking plenty of water. And don’t forget to pack prescribed medication and over-the-counter remedies for common ailments such as headache and motion sickness in your carry-on in case of emergency.
Remember to Pack Travel Insurance: Flight delays/cancellations, lost luggage and medical emergencies can affect even the most thoroughly planned family vacations. Certain travel insurance plans can include 24/7 travel assistance services that can help rebook flights and hotels and help take the stress out of your travel should your travel plans go awry. Concierge services can also recommend family-friendly activities and premier family restaurants at your vacation destination.
National Travel & Tourism Week, an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Travel Association, was created to recognize travel’s many contributions to the U.S. economy. Travel Guard is an active supporter and a long-standing Board Circle Member of the U.S. Travel Association. For more information about Travel Guard, contact your travel agent, visit www.travelguard.com or call Travel Guard’s 24/7 World Service Center at 1.800.826.1300.
1 http://traveleffect.com/info/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-travel-brings-families-closer-together
2 http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/01/pf/cheap-airfare.moneymag/index.html
3 http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children
4 http://news.travel.aol.com/2013/03/20/flying-with-kids-how-to-avoid-a-cataclysm-in-seat-9b/
If you’d like more information about Travel Guard news, contact:
Shannon Semmerling
1.715.295.0950
Shannon.Semmerling@travelguard.com
Lori Whitt
1.715.295.9171
Lori.Whitt@travelguard.com
Ashley Norman / Anna Parry
MMGY Global
1.212.219.7560 ext 6777 / 6766
anorman@mmgyglobal.com
aparry@mmgyglobal.com