Got a request for making travel better, specifically air travel— here’s what I have found.
1- Get TSA Precheck— I don’t care if you fly once every three years it’s totally worth it. Multiple times it’s saved me from missing a flight. The idea that I don’t have to take off my shoes, my blazer, my belt or remove my laptop from my carry on bag makes the process effortless.
2- Upgrade - Extra room, first class, early boarding— I don’t care what your particular choice is but upgrading is always worth it, even on short flights.
3- Avoid alcohol — sounds crazy right? If you don’t like flying have ONE to take the edge off, but don’t go above that— you’ll get dehydrated in that cabin air and increase your jet lag. Go with water but avoid ice— they don’t wash the scooper.
4- Travel with your passport. Recently a flight from Puerto Rico to Miami was diverted to the Bahamas, anyone with a passport was able to leave the airport for the extended delay. Trouble was because it’s a domestic flight NO ONE had their passport. I did, I was able to get fresh air and real food. I always travel with my passport because I can keep it in the breast pocket of my blazer and I don’t have to keep pulling my wallet out to get my Driver’s License.
5- No carry on bags - I travel only with one personal item, it’s my briefcase. I refuse to be one of those people pushing luggage onto the plane and struggling with a back-pack. I either check my bag (and yes I have had bags lost— don’t check them on American Airlines) or I mail my bag to the hotel via FedEx and I make sure I purchase a return label as well— the hotel concierge will happily take care of it for you provided you have everything filled out.
6- I get plenty of $5 and $10 bills for tips, doormen, said concierge, people who help you out. You want the best service this works.
7- Don’t skimp on the hotel. I won’t stay at anything less than a 4.5 hotel— the line that “you’re only going there to sleep” is total BS— you are going there to unwind after a hectic day. You are going to want to be able to sleep and if you’re staying at some kind of budget place good luck with that.