Google “Holiday travel can be…” and these are the first words that pop-up: stressful, mayhem, challenging, and a pain. Whoever said “it’s not the destination but the journey that matters” might not have been thinking about travelling over the holidays.

Ease the stress of travelling this winter. Here are 29 secrets every smart traveller should know.

Before You Go:

• Do your homework. Smart travellers check for discounts before heading out. Find them on the CAA Mobile App – download from the app for on-the-go savings, no matter where you travel.
  
  
• Book early. Savvy travellers know that waiting to the last minute doesn’t always work out. Take advantage of travel deals and flexible booking options when you book early and avoid the risk of limited capacity on tours and cruises.
  
• Make sure you’re covered. Because you can’t put a price tag on travelling with peace of mind. CAA Members save up to 20% on CAA Travel Insurance and travel confidently with up to $5 million coverage, including for COVID-19 related illnesses when travelling to a destination with a Level 3 travel advisory (issued by the Government of Canada).*
  
  
• Redeem your CAA Dollars®. Did you know that you can choose to save your CAA Dollars to use towards booking travel through CAA? Earn CAA Dollars with select CAA Rewards® partners, both in-stores and online.
  
  
• Update your passport. Nothing is worse than checking in for a flight only to realize that your passport is out of date. Make sure your passport is good to go, before you go. Visit a CAA Store where CAA Plus® and Premier® Members get one free printed passport photo every year, and CAA Everyday and Classic® Members get photos for only $8.50, plus tax.*
  
  
• Check, double check, and check again. Many travellers are holding on to their future travel and cruise credits from trips deferred due to the pandemic. These credits can come with an expiration date, which can creep up quickly if you don’t keep an eye on them. Don’t be disappointed by money blown on a trip you never got to take, be sure to check your credits and contact your CAA Travel Consultant to help you with using them (even if you didn’t book through CAA Travel).
  
  
• Organize your luggage. When packing their carry-on luggage, smart travellers keep things well organized with packing cubes that minimize digging around looking for this charger or that toothbrush, or those pair of socks. Pick up packing cubes and organizers at a CAA Store and SAVE UP TO 20%.*
  
  
• Leave space for souvenirs. Leaving for vacation with an overstuffed suitcase is a recipe for disaster as you won’t have space for souvenirs from your travels.
  
  
• Travel with someone you trust. Only CAA Travel Consultants are fully certified through the Travel SMART certification program (launched in partnership by CAA Travel with leading industry experts and Global Affairs Canada). Through the program, CAA travel experts stay alert and current on travel advisories, restrictions, and regulations.
  
  
• Bring Snacks. They’re not going to be stuck paying high prices at the airport for snacks while they wait. Travelling can make for long days, it’s best to have a snack or two packed in your carry on to keep you from getting hangry.
  
  
• Snap a photo of your parking spot. Don’t be left searching up and down endless rows of vehicles at the airport parking lot. Take a photo of your car’s location or row letter/number or make a note in your phone to save yourself time when you land so you can get on the road and back home quickly.
  
  
• Clean out the car. Don’t leave pocket change or a garage door opener in plain view for opportunity seeking thieves at the airport. Remove all important documents, valuables or other items which could catch the eyes of passersby from your vehicle.
  
  
• Pack sleep essentials. Long flight? Don’t be left struggling to catch some shut eye because of a crying baby or bright lights. Pack a lightweight eye mask and earplugs to help you get some rest so you’re ready to get exploring once you reach your destination.
  
  
• Make sure you have your meds. If you have prescribed medicine for any medical conditions or other medicines including for allergy or nausea relief, make sure you have enough for the full duration of your trip and extra in case you run into delays on your return home.
  
  
• Protect your ears with gum. Avoid the annoying ear pops as your plane takes flight. Pack some chewing gum in your carry-on bag or purse to relieve the pressure in your ears. Even better, choose mint gum to help alleviate in-flight nausea.
  
  
• Stay connected without expensive bills. Most mobile service providers offer international phone plans so you can stay connected while travelling without incurring huge roaming charges on your next phone bill.
  

While You’re Away:

• Protect your money. Be careful to protect your money and important documents while travelling. Don’t keep all in one spot, so you’re not left in a pickle if they’re stolen. And look for a secure money belt to help deter theft by pickpockets.
  
  
• Test the safe first. Most hotel rooms offer an in-room safe to protect your valuables. Always be sure to test the safe empty to make sure you know how to use it before risking locking all your valuables inside and not being able to get them back out.
  
  
• Shop local instead of hitting the restaurants. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you have to eat out for every meal – that gets expensive fast! Find a local grocery store to grab some staple items to keep in your hotel mini fridge to cut food costs.
  
  
• Use public transportation. Cabs tabs add up. Opt for local transportation options or look into a car rental. Check to see if your vacation destination requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) for travellers to drive there. IDPs are available exclusively at CAA Stores or by mail from CAA.
  
  
• Keep CAA’s phone number handy. Should an emergency arise while traveling with CAA Vacations®, CAA is there to help. Our 24/7 Member Care team is available to assist you with a variety of emergency travel assistance services, such as re-booking missed or cancelled flights, processing reservation changes, and providing referrals for lost or stolen travel documents.
  
  
• Don’t share that you’re away. It’s tempting to post beach photos for friends and family members to see when they might be dealing with a snowstorm back home, but it’s not the best idea to share that you’re not home. That information in the hands of the wrong people can make your home a target for thieves.
  
  
• Keep an eye on home. If you'll be away for longer than five days, make arrangements for a trusted friend or family member to check in on your home. You’ll need to do so for insurance and safety purposes.
  
  
• Set an alarm. Vacations are meant to be a time to relax and enjoy, but nobody enjoys standing in long lines or missing out on the best seats at the beach. Getting yourself up early for the day increases your odds of making the most of your time away.

When You Return:

• Plan for a Recovery Day. Leaving themselves with an extra day after they return from vacation to sleep if they’re experiencing jetlag, catch up on post-vacation tasks and just return to the real world mentally and physically.
  
  
• Don’t leave your photos on your devices. Showcase your memories and share photos on Facebook after (not before) you’ve returned home. Print your photos and keepsakes with CAA Rewards eStore partner Staples Printing and EARN UP TO 8% in CAA Dollars.* Then, use your CAA Dollars toward next trip!)
  
  
• Make insurance claims. If you ran into issues on your vacation and your travel insurance policy covers the delays and/or damages, submit your claim as soon as you return home. There may be limits in your policy of how long a window you have to make your claim.
  
  
• Check your statements. Within the first few days of returning home, check your credit card and bank statements for any errors or charges that were not authorized so you can report them, and hopefully resolve them, in a timely manner.