This Airport Hacks Travelers Don't Talk About Will Save You Money

Airports are vibrant hubs of activity, full of travelers doing their best to get from A to B with as little disruption as possible. As much as we love exploring new places, it's no secret that things often go a little bit awry when flying. But did you know there are things you can do to make the journey as smooth as possible? 1. Bring your own headphones. Bringing your own headphones to the airport is highly recommended for a number of reasons. Not only will it stop you from buying your own set when you want to watch the in-flight movie, but they will be more comfortable and won't fall out of your ears at a moment's notice. It's good of airlines like American Airlines to provide them, but they aren't exactly top quality. 2. When entering the security check, head to the left checkpoint. We all know how excruciating it can be to be stood in the security line forever, but there could be a way to eliminate this stress forever. Instead of going automatically right when you get to security, head left and for the one furthest away from you on that side. By going left, you'll play the system and likely end up getting through it all faster. 3. Don't forget to bring a portable charger. There's no denying that we love our tech, so keeping it charged is often top priority. Traveling without access to a phone can be incredibly annoying as well as unsafe. Airports have plenty of charging points, but the chances of landing a seat next to one is unlikely. Instead, bring a portable charger with you. 4. Bring wet wipes and hand sanitizer. Planes are essentially floating tin cans, and with so many people in such close proximity to you, it's only natural that the chance of catching a bug is increased. To be on the safe side, make sure you travel with a pack of wet wipes and hand sanitizer. 5. If you don't like turbulence, book an early morning flight. Turbulence is a horrible part of flying that no one really enjoys. A white knuckle ride that lasts for hours isn't going to do anyone's nerves any good. Some people even have to buy costly medication to get them through it. Most turbulence tends to occur in the afternoon, so booking a flight in the early morning could mean a smoother ride. It won't eliminate the chance of it happening totally, but it will lessen the odds and hopefully allow you to watch that downloaded Netflix movie in peace. 6. Take a photo of your checked luggage. When it comes to luggage, there are tons of people out there that have the same bags. There are things that you can do to make your suitcase look more identifiable so it's easier for you to spot. Even then, it's best to get out your phone and take a quick picture of it before you check it. That way you'll be able to refer to the picture while you're standing at baggage claim so you know you're definitely picking up the right one, even if you think you know which one is yours. 7. Find the best seat on the plane when you check in. Different airlines have different planes and different seat layouts, so it's sometimes difficult to know whether the seat you go for is going to be a comfortable one. That's where Seat Guru comes in. You can use it to search for reviews on your seat, so you'll know if you made the right choice or not. 8. Check ahead to see which restaurants and shops are at the airport. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of traveling and just think you'll grab dinner at the airport. However, not all airports have a great choice of restaurants and shops. Quite often, fast food restaurants dominate the space, which can mean a poorer quality of food and a bigger waste of money. Instead of settling for something unhealthy, check ahead before you embark on your journey. If you know what's there, you'll have more time to plan and look at menu options instead of being flustered when you arrive and panic buying something you don't really want. 9. Always wear red clothing. This tip might seem a little strange, but it makes a lot of sense. Battling through a busy airport can be stressful at the best of times, but when you're trying to stay close to your travel companions, it can be easy to get separated. Thankfully, there's an easy solution. Wearing a bright red scarf, coat, hat, or anything similar can help you to stand out in a crowd and be easily identifiable. Even if red isn't your color, it's worth considering a style switch up if it means you won't be frantically trying to spot your friends at security. 10. Keep a collection of hotel toiletries. Checking into a hotel is fun for a variety of reasons. Fluffy pillows, big heavy blackout curtains, and room service. Those are yours to keep, so take them even if you didn't plan on using them during that trip. By stocking up on toiletries from places like Hilton, you could save yourself a lot of money on buying travel-sized items in the future. Instead of rushing to the store and grabbing some for a few dollars, you could just take a couple of bits from your collection. 11. Avoid waiting in line to get your flight rebooked. When something happens and a flight is cancelled, everyone automatically rushes to the desk to try and rebook. It seems like the only thing to do at the time, as everyone is so concerned about getting where they need to go. Instead of being part of the crowd, head to a phone instead. Call the airline and talk to someone there. The rep on the end of the phone has the exact same abilities as the one at the airport, so they will be able to take care of your problem in a heartbeat. No long lines, no battling to get to the desk, just a simple resolution. Plus, you'll have more time to talk to the operator to discuss your financial options, too. 12. Wrap your luggage or bag handle. When you've spent the last 10 hours on a flight and are just ready to collapse at your hotel, the last thing you want to do is spend forever at baggage claim playing spot the bag. If you've gone for generic baggage, then the job is even harder. There's a handy little trick that can get your baggage to you faster. Just tie a brightly colored scarf, tie, or another piece of material to the handle. You'll be able to spot it from a mile off and be in that cab en route to your destination before you can say lost and found. 13. Sit on the front side of the plane. Inksmarter Travels found that the best seats on the plane are near the front. Our center of gravity is around 28%, and the center of pressure acts around a quarter of the way down the plane's wing. Choosing to sit near the front is better for people who get sick on flights or are sensitive to flying. The other high points on a plane include exit rows and window seats. You might want to take an aisle seat near the front if you want to disembark quickly.