Tips for Peak Holiday Travel

FTF offers tips that are valuable anytime when traveling overseas--especially during the holidays.

When it comes to travel plans during any busy holiday season, the best rule of thumb is certainly "better safe than sorry." That's why we've adapted the holiday travel tips offered by the American Society of Travel Agents for use by any family traveling overseas.

Here's some practical advice from a group of frequent-traveling experts.

A Bird In Hand: Travelers should carry with them written records of all plans and confirmation numbers. When possible, obtain traditional printed airline tickets and boarding passes; no sense in leaving to the computer what you can just as easily hold in your hand.

 Two For The Road: Make copies of personal identification and travel documentation, including passports, visas, driver's licenses, credit cards, and prescriptions. Leave one set of copies at home with a trusted contact person. That way, if one set gets lost, another will be conveniently available.

When In Doubt:  Confirm: Before the trip, periodically re-confirm your hotel reservations with the hotel itself; don't trust toll free reservation systems during this busy and sometimes over-booked time.

 Insurance Without a Glitch: Consider trip cancellation insurance, to cover unforseen delays.

Don't forget the common sense tips: For example, be sure to keep essentials such as toiletries, prescriptions, and a change of clothing in your carry-on luggage, so they're always with you.

Portable Entertainment and Goodies: Last but not least, a good book (or a toy) and a snack are absolute necessities for each member of the family in the event of an annoying delay or long layover.