| | Essential travel tips | | by Brian Kelly | |  | I just returned from three weeks traveling across Europe, and I can tell you that between long lines and strikes, some airports are absolute chaos. And you don't want your vacation to start or end on a bad note. There are a few key things you can do to help avoid a travel mishap that I always recommend for anyone traveling internationally, plus one splurge that is totally worth it to me:
1. Follow the three-hour rule.
Show up three hours before your flight to ensure you can check your bags and get through security. It's not worth it to spend an extra hour at home or the hotel if you could risk missing your flight. Also, plan a layover of at least three hours in a European airport when possible, especially if you are flying through London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), where you might need to change terminals, ride a bus and pass through security again.
2. Choose your airport and airline wisely.
This summer has been absolutely wild in some European airports, and many readers have reported missing their flights back to the U.S. due to long immigration lines. Plus, August is when many Europeans take their own vacations, and there have also been strikes timed for the weekends, increasing the chaos.
Lisbon (LIS), Madrid (MAD) and London's Heathrow (LHR) have been mentioned as being some of the worst right now. Airports that readers are reporting as pretty smooth this summer include Helsinki (HEL), Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA), Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA).
If you are flying to or from Europe and experience delays or cancellations, remember you may be covered by the lucrative EU261 rule for passenger rights.
3. Don't forget the AirTags.
If you're checking luggage anywhere, always include an AirTag — especially with the increase in ground crew strikes overseas. I also put one in my carry-on just in case I'm forced to check it. If your luggage gets lost, you can share your AirTag tracking with many airlines. Also, be sure to check the battery in the AirTag and swap it out if it's low.
4. The splurge: Pay for greeters with an arrival service.
You can pay for greeters who can meet you at the plane and are often able to take you to the front of the immigration lines or help you get through security quicker. If you have tight connections, mobility impairments or are traveling with little kids, it's totally worth it, in my opinion, as they know the airport best, and you don't want to risk missing your flight.
Usually, the service costs around $100 per person, but it's totally worth the splurge for the convenience factor. There are a few options: AirportAssist.com, DiamondAir, booking through a travel adviser or asking your hotel concierge. Even Clear Plus has gotten into VIP service at some U.S. airports.
Bottom line
Remember, before the trip even starts, always be sure to book with a credit card that includes travel protections for delays and cancellations — even if you book an award flight and only pay the taxes and fees with the card, you are covered. One of the best travel cards with built-in protections is the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which has a new, higher welcome offer of 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 in the first three months after account opening.
Let me know if you have any additional travel hacks that you swear by to survive peak travel season.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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