What Are Some Tips for Traveling With a Small Dog?
The next question is close to my heart, as it concerns my experience of traveling with Miles, my furry little "son."
TPG reader Jeanette posted a question on my Facebook page this week:
"I am entering the world of a traveler with a small dog...any tips for flying and hotel stays? This is a first for me."
Let's start with the airline process.
The first time I flew with Miles, I was so stressed out. What was it going to be like going through security? What if he started peeing all over the place? Make things easier on yourself by making sure you wear your dog out with exercise before the flight, don't feed him/her too much in advance, and have them take a bathroom break right before a flight.
Going through security, it turns out, is not that big a deal. Arrive at the airport about two hours early (three hours is probably overkill), and make sure you have a dog carrier that's the right size; oftentimes the agents will check to make sure a dog can fit in their carrier.
Going through security, you'll actually have to hold your dog, put their leash and collar through the x-ray belt, and opt out of the "nudiscope." If you have TSA PreCheck, you can go right through with a dog. Miles loves his PreCheck, where the agents are even nicer to him than they are to me. There can be perks to traveling with a dog!
Most airlines charge a $150 fee to bring a dog into the cabin. You can check dogs - and if they're huge, you have to - but there are a lot of websites out there with scary information about dogs dying in the holds of airplanes. I mean, think about how often airlines lose passengers' luggage... I would personally never ship Miles in the hold, but I understand that sometimes there's no choice. Luckily, Jeanette, you have a small dog.
On the plane, make sure you always have a treat handy, just in case your dog starts barking. Fortunately for me, Miles has always loved being on the plane, and nowadays he usually snores right through takeoff. I haven't run into any situations where someone was allergic to him, but I would completely understand and switch seats in that scenario. Be sensitive to other flyers.
A lot of hotels will charge either a per-night fee or a onetime non-refundable cleaning fee. I'd recommend checking out Kimpton Hotels, which are very pet-friendly and do not generally charge a fee. Most hotels, fee or no, will give you a doggie bed, a bowl and other perks.
Make sure you don't leave your dog alone in the room, and if you have to, be sure to leave a note at the front desk or on the door so that the cleaning staff doesn't enter the room.
In general, traveling with a small dog can be a little bit stressful and a little bit more expensive, but if your pet is your family, like Miles is mine, and you have a travel lifestyle, like I do, you can make it work. I know a lot of people who travel successfully with their pets -- just be as friendly as possible, teach your kids good manners, and have safe travels!
For more information, check out my Top 10 Tips for Traveling With A Dog.
Let me know if you have any other questions by messaging me on Facebook, Tweeting me or emailing me at info@thepointsguy.com.
[card card-name='Chase Freedom®' card-id='22125634' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.