Summer is a Busy Time

Summer Is A Busy Time So Plan Accordingly!

Summer is a very busy travel time, and you should plan accordingly. So be sure to reserve enough time for the unexpected.

Arrive early to the airport and avoid the frustration and anxiety that can come from feeling rushed to find parking. 

Be aware that lines may be longer than you expect, both at the ticket counter and at the TSA check-point.  Again, plan for enough time.

If you have checked in for your flight on-line or in the airline’s mobile app, and not checking a bag, you can bypass the ticket counter check-in and head straight to security screening.  Just make sure you have your ID and boarding pass ready.

A little extra time can transform a travel experience from frustrating to smooth and easy.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Be a Savvy Traveler: Bring Along Pen and Paper

Be a savvy traveler and your trips will be smooth and easy.

In the era of Smart Phones, we sometimes forget the value of paper and pen.

Consider this… after a long day of travel you find your phone battery has died.  What if you discover this just as you pop into your Uber to make your way to your hotel? 

Was all of the hotel information stored in your mobile device?

It’s a good idea to create a “Cheat Sheet” of key information you can tuck into your wallet before a trip. Things to consider for this important document:

·      Hotel name and address and phone number / confirmation number

·      Airline and flight information

·      Emergency contact numbers (who remembers phone numbers anymore?)

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Reminder: Make Your Appointment For Your REAL ID

Time for the REAL ID

The Department of Homeland Security is requiring that all domestic air travelers have what’s called a REAL ID no later than October 1, 2020, or alternative forms of identification will be required before you may board a flight. 

The NC Department of Transportation is offering REAL ID’s, and it’s a good idea to go ahead and get this new form of driver’s license as soon as possible. There will certainly be a mad dash to get REAL ID’s as the 2020 deadline draws near.

Find out how easy it is to get the REAL ID – Document requirements can be found at the North Carolina DOT website at www.ncdot.gov. 

Another tip? You can make an appointment at the DMV, so your wait won’t be very long. 

Get your REAL ID today and it’ll be smooth flying from there.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

No Noise Please!

Ear Support to The Rescue!

You’re settled comfortably into your seat on the plane, when your seat mate falls asleep and starts to snore. Ugh!

Or you check into your hotel in the city and all you hear during the night is street traffic. Or the elevator! Or the ice machine…

Good news! There is an easy fix for the savvy traveler. Pop a few earplugs into your bag so you know you always have a way to block unwanted noise. 

Earplugs are an inexpensive fix and you can purchase them at drugstores or large box store. 

They’re small and easy to take with you when traveling.  You’ll avoid the noise and have a much smoother trip.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Be Sure To Bring Two Credit Cards... (And a little cash)

Pack A Couple of Credit Cards When You Travel

When you are traveling, you should bring an extra credit card and keep it in a separate location other than your wallet. Think about what would happen if you lose your wallet? Or it’s stolen? Or what if one credit card is compromised or stops working?

Consider the second credit card as your “back up” and only use it in a situation where you can’t use your primary card. And always have a little stash of cash, just in case. 

It’s also a good idea to keep information about your credit card with you when you travel (such as your number and the customer service phone number) so you have it if your information should be stolen or lost.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Your Travel First Aid Kit

DO YOU HAVE YOUR TRAVEL FIRST AID KIT?

What happens when you are traveling and suddenly you have a minor medical issue? Are you prepared? If you are close to a drug store, then maybe. But sometimes when we travel, we may not have easily accessible ground transportation or you may be in a more remote area, or even in a different country where navigating a solution could be difficult.

That’s why every traveler should prepare a small first aid kit. 

·       Pain medications – such as aspirin or ibuprofen

·       Anti-allergy medications – such as Benadryl

·       A few cold medicine capsules

·       Stomach upset medication

·       Basic first aid, such as bandages, first aid cream, chapstick, Vasoline, antiseptic wipes

·       Tweezers

Always a good idea to be prepared!

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

How To Board a Plane With Ease and Grace

We’ve all been behind THAT PERSON…

She’s ahead of you in the boarding process. She finally gets to her seat, and then…. She spends several minutes unloading items from her carry-on bag and purse that she needs with her. Then she lifts her suitcase to the overhead bin, only to find that there isn’t a spot directly next to her seat and everyone has to back up so she can stow her bag.

Frustrating? Yes. Avoidable. Absolutely.

What can you do to NOT be that person? Try this – put all your
in-flight necessities, such as cell phone, charging cord, earbuds,
glasses, snack, and hand sanitizer in a resealable gallon-sized bag,
pop it in an easy-to-access spot in your carry-on bag, grab it quickly, toss it into your seat and stow your bag without delay.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Do You Know Your Airport Code?

Did you know that airports all have three-letter airport codes that are used in many ways, including for booking and baggage routing? 

It’s a good idea to educate yourself about your destination airport’s three-letter code. You can then check the airline’s baggage routing tag to insure the correct airport destination is listed.

Why is this important? While Asheville Regional Airport’s code is intuitive – AVL, there are other airports that don’t correlate quite as well to the airport’s name. For example, the code for Louis Armstrong Airport, located in New Orleans, is MSY. Always a good idea to find out!

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Staying Healthy When Traveling

We all want to ward off those nasty bugs that are traveling with us.

With air travel at an all-time-high, there is often little time in-between flights to prepare the inside of the airplanes for the next group of travelers. 

So come prepared! Bring a travel-sized packet of disinfecting wipes with you and take a moment to wipe down the tray table, safety card, overhead light and air controls – and any other surface you will be touching. 

A travel-sized container of hand sanitizer is also advisable.

By keeping your hands clean and everything around you sanitized, you reduce your risk of contracting an unwanted illness during your travels.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Carry-On Packing Essentials

How do you bring everything you need in a carry-on bag and still abide by TSA rules?

There are a few things you may want to consider:

Bringing valuables? You may want to carry them with you on the plane. 

Need to bring something fragile?  It may be worth shipping fragile items ahead of time.

Passports, tickets and business files should stay with you.

And remember to drape your coat or sweater over your arm to save precious space in your bag!

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Your Vacation Fun Begins When You Get to The Airport

Let the fun begin as soon as you get to the airport!

Transition to vacation-mode as soon as you enter the terminal! Plan a little extra time so you’re not rushed and treat your time at the airport as the start to a great adventure.

Many airports, small to large, offer interesting amenities.  Visit your airport’s website before you arrive so you have an idea of things to do or see.

At Asheville Regional Airport, you’ll find a curated art gallery featuring Western North Carolina artists, pop-up music concerts by local musicians and a great restaurant and bar.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Is Pre-Travel Healthcare For You?

Are you going to be traveling overseas? How about visiting a third-world country?

If you’re going to be traveling abroad, it’s really important to research your potential need for pre-travel healthcare. Sometimes this can include special vaccinations or oral medications to prevent illness, so better to be safe than sorry!

It’s a good practice to see your family doctor to consult about risks and preventive measures that can be taken. Sometimes local health departments also provide travel vaccinations or know which providers in your area give this type of pre-travel care.

However, you may need to see a more specific provider, especially if you are visiting a country or several countries with specific health risks, or if you have a pre-existing health condition. Take the initiative and talk to your doctor before embarking on big adventures!

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Extend Your Power

Have you ever been waiting at the airport and realized that the battery bar on your phone was red and you need to finish up some important work requiring a plug in? 

Perhaps you have a travel buddy who also needs to plug in. And then you start to look for a power outlet. That’s when you notice every outlet is in use and sometimes one person is using four plugs for all of their devices!

While airports do offer power plugs for passenger use, sometimes finding just one available outlet is the best you can do. 

A new trend in travel is to bring a small power strip with multiple plugs with you in your carry-on luggage. That way, when you finally locate an available outlet, you’re all set.  And you won’t be that traveler hogging the power outlets.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Planning Your Ground Transportation

When you travel by air, once you arrive at your destination airport, do you know what kind of ground transportation you will be taking? 

There are often many options – a hotel shuttle, rental cars, taxis, buses, private cars, or app-ride providers, like Uber or Lyft.

It’s a good idea to visit your destination airport’s website to learn the layout of the ground transportation areas. Your choice of ground transportation may be available in different areas of the airport.

For instance, at Asheville Regional Airport, traditional ground transportation, such as taxis, shuttles and private car services, pick up on one end of the terminal, while app-ride providers pick up passengers on the opposite end of the airport. 

A little research ahead of time can help make that part of your journey more efficient and smooth.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Leverage the Power of Your Smartphone

We all have a very powerful assistant in the palm of our hands. Our cell phones can be used wisely in a number of ways.

1. Before your trip, email an itinerary to yourself, including all addresses, phone numbers and directions.

2. Take photos of your luggage and the tracking tag – just in case it gets lost.

3. Download books, movies and music to enjoy while on your journey.

4. Use it as a GPS to find your way around.

5. It is your clock – automatically adjusting to any new time zones.

6. Stay in touch with those at home – most cell phones work around the globe.  You may have to do a little research about this ahead of time.  Worst case scenario, use wifi and free texting or messaging apps.

7. Your phone is your alarm clock.

8. You can use it to access the Internet while on your journey.

9. It is your camera equipment – photos and videos.  Did you know you can download video editing apps to make quick and easy vlogs about your trip?

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

How Do I Really Get the Best Airfare?

It is a myth that there is a better day of the week to book an airline ticket in order to get the best price. Airlines are constantly adjusting their airfares, up and down, using sophisticated revenue management software tools, taking into account historic booking trends, competition and current booking trends. It is important to book at least three weeks before your departure date (and even further out, if possible) to obtain the most competitive price.

If you have flexibility with your travel dates, compare pricing based on slightly different itineraries. Sometimes one day’s difference can save pretty big bucks! 

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

What Happens if You Lose Your ID While Traveling?

All travelers need a government-issued ID when traveling, the most common being a driver’s license or passport. Have you ever thought what you would do if you left your ID at home or lost your ID when traveling? 

Yes, no matter what, this scenario would be a headache. However, an easy step you can take ahead of time to expedite replacement is to make copies of your ID’s and have these with you when you travel. You could even take photos of the IDs and have these stored in your phone, or email scanned copies to yourself. 

That way, you will have the information you need at your fingertips when you begin the process of replacement.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Is Trip Insurance a Good Idea?

Are you planning that trip of a lifetime? A big, wonderful adventure is fun to have on the calendar so you can look forward to the big day when you board your flight. You spend significant dollars on your airline tickets, lodging, other transportation and excursions. Did you know that most airline tickets and other trip expenses may be non-refundable?

That’s why you should consider trip insurance. Should you have to cancel your trip (for pre-approved reasons, such as a medical issue), you can recoup some or all of your trip expenses, depending on your policy. 

It’s worth looking into!

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Can You Cancel a Flight Reservation and Receive a Refund?

In general, you cannot receive a refund for most tickets purchased. The only requirement by the DOT is that airlines hold a reservation for 24 hours without payment, or refund a paid ticket (even a non-refundable one) if you cancel within 24 hours of purchase and you booked more than a week before your flight. Many tickets are non-refundable and are listed as such when you book. Be sure to read all information about the specific ticket you are purchasing.

If you feel that there is a chance that you may need to cancel your flight, be sure to check with your airline ahead of time to determine your options. Every airline has different policies and most charge fees to make changes to eligible itineraries.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development

Understand the Difference Between Airlines’ Products

Some airlines are called “legacy” airlines and they offer frequent daily flights to and from major hubs and to destinations around the globe. The four legacy airlines in the U.S. are American, Delta, Southwest and United.  Smaller airlines may be considered low-cost carriers or ultra-low-cost carriers (such as Allegiant, Spirit, Frontier and Jet Blue). They may offer flights to and from a shorter list of destinations (often leisure destinations), and their flight schedules can range from a few flights per day to just a few flights per week.

Be a savvy traveler! If you must arrive at your destination on a certain day, by a certain time, you may want to consider planning your flight arrival for the day before you need to be there. Air travel can always be delayed or cancelled due to a myriad of reasons, such as weather or mechanical issues. The airlines will honor your ticket and get you rebooked as soon as possible. However, you may have to wait quite a bit longer for that rebooked seat if you are flying on an airline that only travels to your destination two days per week. 

The bottom line?  Plan for flexibility in air travel. For instance, If you have a cruise booked, don’t rely on an airline to deliver you to the city port just hours before your cruise time. Plan your trip to arrive the day before! Then, if something happens, you still have time to go to Plan B. 

All this said – the good news is that airlines operate on-time most of the time.

Find out more!

Tina Kinsey
Asheville Regional Airport
Dir. of Marketing, PR & Air Service Development