We’re always dreaming of our next vacation. But if you haven’t made travel plans for this year, consider this your friendly reminder to get on it.
We’ve got 7 travel planning tips to ensure smooth sailing in the year ahead:
1: Check Passport Expiration Dates
Before you click purchase on that expensive international airline ticket, double check the dates on your passport.
Many countries require that passports be valid for six months beyond your travel dates. That means if your passport is expiring before the end of the year, you may need a new one for your summer travels.
The good news is that passport processing times have greatly improved, so you still have time to take care of this. What was taking months during the pandemic has returned to pre-Covid processing times. A routine passport takes approximately 6-8 weeks, and an expedited one turns around in 2-3 weeks.
Remember, minor passports expire every five years. It’s not a simple renewal process when kids are involved. You’ll have to complete a new application, get a new photo, and apply in person at a passport center. In most cases, both parents and the child must appear in person. This can add time to the process, so plan accordingly.
[ Related: Passports for Kids – Learn from Our Mistakes ]
2: Enroll in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
Waiting in line on vacation is something I’m only willing to do at Disneyland. I do everything I can to avoid it at the airport. Enrolling in Global Entry has been one of my best investments.
Perhaps you already have TSA PreCheck, but maybe your kids don’t. If traveling with teenagers, it may be time to rethink this. According to the TSA, Children 12 and under may accompany an enrolled parent in the TSA PreCheck lanes without restriction. Children 13-17 may join enrolled adults when traveling on the same reservation and IF the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the child’s boarding pass. That’s where the hiccup can sometimes happen. However, if your kids have their own trusted traveler number it guarantees they can use TSA PreCheck.Â
If you travel internationally often, consider Global Entry. That speeds up time at customs when returning to the U.S. and it provides access to the TSA PreCheck lines. The Global Entry application process does take longer and requires an interview. However, it’s simple to renew once you’re approved.
Both programs are valid for 5 years. TSA PreCheck costs $78 and Global Entry is $100. Some credit cards cover the cost.
3: Get a Parental Consent Travel Letter
If you plan to travel solo with your child internationally, make sure you have a notarized letter from the other parent authorizing your travel. You’ll also need this if your child is traveling internationally with grandparents or friends. Some cruise lines also require a notarized letter.
Because I have a different last name and skin color than my kids, having this letter in my travel wallet gives me extra peace of mind. We’ve only been asked to show it once (when traveling through Belize), but you never know when you might need it.Â
We update this letter annually. Notary services are complimentary at our bank. We drafted our letter using this example from the Travel Babbo website.
4: Invest in Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can be expensive. Like any insurance, you sometimes wonder if it’s really worth it. That is, until you need to use it.
If you plan to take three or more trips this year, an annual policy may be your best bet. To control the cost, you can choose different amounts of coverage. It can cost just a few hundred dollars to insure a family of four for $10,000.
Consider that when traveling internationally, your health insurance likely won’t cover you. A travel insurance policy should provide medical coverage and, ideally, medical evacuation coverage for the worst case scenario.
[ Related: Travel Insurance Ins and Outs ]
5: Use a Travel Advisor
With the internet, and now AI, planning a vacation is easier than ever, right? Not so fast. While these are great research tools, a travel advisor can help save you time and money. The best part? In most cases, advisors don’t charge the client for their services. They receive commission from the destinations.
We travel a lot, and often use the services of a travel advisor. For instance, booking a cruise might seem straightforward. However, our advisor always knows which deck is best for our family, and which cabins are the biggest. She makes sure that we get our preferred dining times, and has all kinds of advice that makes our cruise better.
Recently when a winter storm almost derailed our travel plans, she jumped into action preemptively to make sure we’d be covered if forced to cancel our trip.Â
If you’re not sure who to call, we highly recommend our partners at Magic Family Getaways.
[ Related: 6 Reasons to Use a Travel Advisor ]
6: Travel with a Tour Company
Another way to simplify your travel plans is to book through a tour company. There are many brands that specialize in family trips. One that we love is Austin Adventures. It focused on small group, adventure travel.
Last summer we traveled to Croatia for the first time. Austin Adventures handled every detail of the trip. All we had to do was show up. The itinerary was designed specifically for families, and curated by local tour guides. We biked, hiked, kayaked, and ate amazing food. It was a fantastic way to experience Croatia with kids and nothing we could have planned ourselves.
[ Related: Austin Adventures Croatia Family Vacation FAQs ]
7: Don’t Wait to Book
Finally, don’t wait too long to book your spring break and summer travel. You’ll pay more, and have fewer choices, the longer you wait. If you’re planning to use travel rewards or miles to book, your options may be limited during peak travel times.
With demand high, there are fewer last minute travel deals these days. Hotels in place like Europe are already booking up for the summer. Remember, that hotel rooms that accommodate a larger family group can be hard to find in certain parts of the world. So plan ahead! In our research, we’ve noticed that family tours are booking up quickly for June and July.
