4 things you really need to do now in advance of holiday travel
Editor's Note
Believe it or not, the holiday season is truly creeping up. If you haven't locked down your travel plans yet, now is the time to do so.
If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve or any other holidays, you probably have quite a few things on your to-do list, such as booking your flights (if you haven't already) and renewing your passport (if it's set to expire soon). These aren't the only details to stay on top of, though.
Here are four tasks to take care of now ahead of the holidays.
Book your flights
If you haven’t purchased your holiday flights yet, you should do so.
Typically, according to the booking app Hopper, September and October are the best months to buy a holiday flight. From here on, prices will steadily begin to rise, so you really don't want to leave it much longer if you don't want to spend an extortionate amount on airfare.
This advice aligns with the timeline in Google Flights' booking trends report, which notes that average airfare prices around Christmas were at their lowest 71 days before departure.
It's still not too late, but we wouldn't wait much longer if we were you.
If you're able to be super flexible, we've seen some of the cheaper Thanksgiving week fares right now on both the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving and on Thanksgiving day itself.
Check your passport
If you're planning to venture abroad for the holidays, you should check your passport expiration date now if you haven't already, as you're cutting it close for renewing if its expiration date is approaching.
Routine passport processing times are currently estimated to take between six and eight weeks, while expedited service could take at least two to three weeks. Act with haste if you need a renewal.
Processing times have been the same since last December, and the U.S. Department of State would not comment on whether those figures would remain throughout the rest of 2024.
Generally speaking, the State Department advises travelers to renew their passports at least six months before they plan to travel. Keep in mind that most countries also require visitors’ passports to be valid for six months at the time of their trip. Be sure to check the requirements of each country you will visit since some prefer there to be six months left on your passport from your date of entry while others prefer there to be six months of validity from the date of intended departure.
For urgent international travel, you can request in-person processing appointments under two circumstances (these are limited):
- Life-or-death emergencies: You can request an appointment if an immediate family member has passed away, is dying or is facing a life-threatening illness or injury. You will need to provide documentation of the emergency.
- Other urgent travel situations: If you must travel abroad within the next 14 days or need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days, you may request an in-person appointment to expedite the process. However, it's better (and less stressful) to simply renew your passport before it expires.
Keep an eye on the State Department’s website, which is regularly updated with the latest passport processing times for travelers.
Related: Cheap and hassle-free: What it was like getting an expedited passport via rush service ItsEasy.com
Enroll in an expedited security program
Whether or not you are planning to fly during the holidays, programs like TSA PreCheck and Clear can provide travelers with an expedited security experience all year long.
TSA PreCheck allows users to pass through a separate, dedicated security line. Unlike passengers in the regular Transportation Security Administration line, those in a TSA PreCheck line do not have to remove their shoes, laptop, liquids, belt or light jacket.
Clear users also begin the security process in a Clear-only lane, where users are biometrically identified via fingerprint or iris scans, typically sparing them from showing their ID during security screening. However, all travelers, including Clear users, remain subject to random TSA-administered ID checks.
Users are then taken to the front of the line for the security screening machines — either the front of the TSA PreCheck screening line for those with Clear and TSA PreCheck or the front of the normal TSA screening line.
A third program to consider is Global Entry, which is most helpful for frequent international travelers. It allows preapproved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival in the U.S. from abroad. Global Entry users can enter the country through automated kiosks at more than 50 airports.
Enrollment in the three programs costs money: Clear users must pay $199 per year, while TSA PreCheck and Global Entry cost $78 to $85 (depending on the enrollment program) for a five-year membership and $100 for a five-year membership, respectively. Do note that if you are approved for Global Entry, it comes with TSA PreCheck.
While these programs can be worth their retail price tags for users, some credit cards, airline and hotel elite status levels and frequent flyer memberships offer them for free or at a discounted price.
Ship your presents in advance
Although you can technically carry wrapped presents through security at airports, it may be risky depending on whether the TSA agent inspecting your packages permits them to go through without further inspection.
Instead, consider shipping your presents and other large items to your relatives’ homes or wherever you will be staying. Do so well before you leave in case of mailing delays.
Bottom line
Traveling during the holidays can be stressful due to family dynamics and larger-than-usual airport crowds, but you can take steps to make it a little more bearable.
Several things you can do to mitigate the stress include enrolling in expedited security programs, submitting your passport for renewal at least six months before travel, booking your flights well in advance and shipping your presents to help make the holiday travel experience easier.
Related reading:
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.