1. Parking. If you plan to park your car at your home airport for the duration of your trip, consider an independent airport parking facility.
They're often cheaper than long-term parking at the airport's lots, and they generally offer smoother transport to/from the terminal. Check Airport Parking Reservations ( airportparkingreservations.com/ ) or The Parking Spot ( theparkingspot.
com /) to see what's available at your departure airport. 2. Baggage.
Airline-sponsored curbside baggage check can usually avoid a schlep to the check-in counter and a line when you get there. In many cases, you can also take care of other check-in business there. You may have to pay a fee.
You can avoid paying stiff baggage-check fees on the co-branding airline if you have the right credit card from Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue or United. These cards carry annual fees of $95 to $150, which a few trips will recover in fees. 3.
Check-in. Most airlines allow you to check in online or through an app and avoid lines at a counter. 4.
Avoid connections. If possible, get a nonstop flight, even if it costs a few bucks more. Almost all big connecting hubs are hostile, so the easiest way to cope is to fly over them at 39,000 feet.
5. Lounge. Unless you're on a premium-class ticket, lounge access isn't free; typically annual programs cost $400 or more.
But that fee includes access to comfortable seating with good Wi-Fi, attractive meal/snack spreads, and as much as you want to drink. The pricing is aimed .