The holiday season is in full swing, and whether you're heading home to family, jetting off for a winter getaway or welcoming loved ones to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, CVG is ready to help you navigate the busiest travel season of the year.CVG's tips for stress-free holiday travel Arrive early\We recommend arriving at the TSA checkpoint at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures. Pack smart\Check TSA's website for current guidelines on what you can bring through security. Remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids in carry-ons: No more than 3.5 ounces per container, all fitting inside a one-quart bag, one bag per passenger. Put wrapped gifts in checked bags\Your wrapped gift may need to be unwrapped for inspection by TSA at the security checkpoint. It’s safest to put those gifts in a checked bag, or wrap them at your destination. Plan parking in advance Check parking availability in advance at cvgairport.com/parking. Valet, ValuPark or Economy are a great plan B if the Terminal Garage looks tight. Wait in the cell phone lotIf you're picking someone up, please wait in our free cell phone lot until they've collected their bags and are ready for pickup. Curbside is reserved for active loading and unloading only. Wisdom from seasoned travelers We asked the frequent flyers in our Facebook community to share their best holiday travel advice. Here’s what they had to say: Get Your REAL ID sorted now\Don't wait until you're at the airport to discover your ID won't work. Make sure your driver's license is REAL ID compliant – or your passport is current - before the holiday rush hits. Prep before security\Before you reach the TSA checkpoint, empty your pockets into your carry-on bag. If you're unsure whether something is allowed, put it in a bin or your bag rather than holding up the line. Stand right, pass left\Moving walkways are designed to help you get where you're going faster – but only if stationary people stand on the right so others can pass on the left. Stay on top of flight delays\Use your airline app to stay informed, and if your flight is delayed, take care not to stray too far from your gate. If the delay isn’t as long as expected, you need to be ready to board. Early-bird warning\Some airlines don’t start checking bags until two hours before a flight, so if you arrive earlier, you may need to wait. Be cool during de-boarding\The plane de-boards by row, not by how quickly you stand up. Pack your patience\Travel gets stressful during the holidays, especially for airport and airline employees who are working long hours to help everyone get home. A little kindness and understanding go a long way. Enjoy holiday cheer at CVG Live music\Through our partnership with ArtsWave, we're bringing the sounds of the season to CVG this December. You'll find live performances at the Welcome Point greeting area on select weekdays throughout the month.Gift-wrapping\Volunteers will be providing complimentary gift-wrapping from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 22 and 23 in Concourses A and B. Shop at our retail stores for gifts with a local twist, and then have them gift-wrapped before you fly! Shopping local at CVG\Want to reflect the region in your gift-giving this year? Here are some of the homegrown items you can find at our stores: - Kentucky bourbon balls: Available at Over the Rhine Market, Gaslight Market, Trip Advisor, Gaslight Gifts, Bluegrass Bazaar and travel @ ease - Cans of Skyline chili: Available at Queen City, Today Store,  Over the Rhine Market, Gaslight Market, Trip Advisor, Gaslight Gifts, Bluegrass Bazaar, travel @ ease - Kentucky bourbon by the bottle: Available at Over the Rhine Market and Trip Advisor - Spirit wear representing Cincinnati universities and sports teams: Available at Queen City, Over the Rhine Market, Gaslight Market, Trip Advisor, Scoreboard, Gaslight Gifts Tools for travel ease GoodMaps indoor navigation app\New to CVG? The free GoodMaps app for Android or iOS provides turn-by-turn indoor navigation throughout our terminal and concourses in more than 25 languages. It's especially helpful for travelers who have visual or hearing impairments or need step-free routing to their destinations.Kiosks for Q&A\Got questions about parking, security wait times, or food options before your flight? Scan the QR code at kiosks throughout the airport, text your questions and get real-time answers to help you navigate CVG with confidence. Luggage carts\New, complimentary luggage carts are available in the parking garage and on the ticketing and baggage claim levels. Grab a cart and avoid the stress of juggling bags.

Let’s see more of the world… for less! Obernai, France.In a previous Jet with Jay, we shared some of the best travel hacks for traveling with kids and Tri-State parents had some [excellent advice](https://www.cvgairport.com/blogs/item/the-14-things-youve-gotta-pack-when-traveling-with-kids/).But what about the rest of the family, especially the person putting the whole trip together?So we’re back with ten more of my favorite ways to travel better.1. Google Flights is Your FriendYou’ve probably seen [Google Flights](https://www.google.com/travel/flights) mentioned at least a dozen times over the past five years on Jet with Jay and there’s a good reason: it’s one of the best ways to score great deals on flights! You can search by specific dates you need to travel or for the best deals, use the “Anywhere” option and choose “1-week Trip in the next 6 months” as your date and use the map tool. Using this tool, we often pay around $450 - $550 for flights to Europe and recently enjoyed $386 roundtrip flights to Paris! I also frequently find roundtrip flights under $150 around the US.Heading toward the Eiffel Tower to enjoy a sunset.2. Airline Reward Miles are ValuableA great way to earn free flights for future trips is by utilizing credit cards offered by each airline or travel cards from major credit card companies. The biggest boost to your airline rewards account comes from the sign-up bonuses, some can be as high as 70,000 - 80,000 miles for personal cards and 100,000+ miles for business accounts. I’ve been able to enjoy hundreds of thousands of free airline miles just from signing up for credit cards and paying large purchases I was going to spend money on anyway like insurance, car repairs, home improvements, etc. When redeeming miles, be on the lookout for flight sales and discounts by being a card user (United and Delta both offer reduced miles for certain flights for card holders.)Greetings from Strasbourg, France!3. AARP is A-OK… Even if You Aren’t RetiredThere are benefits to joining AARP, and you can still be gainfully employed! Anyone over the age of 50 is eligible for full membership while anyone over 18 can purchase a limited membership. A few of the current [travel deals](https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/travel/) available:- $65-$200 Off roundtrip flights on British Airways through January 2026.- An extra 5%-10% off many major hotel chains- Discounts on rental cars- Travel planning assistance(Deals subject to change)London is always a lovely choice4. Being Nice = Being (Sometimes) UpgradedTraveling can be stressful, but packing patience, kindness, and the occasional cash tip can go a long way in making your trip memorable. Being nice to the person behind a check-in desk at a hotel or rental car facility is not just the right thing to do, it has resulted in some nice upgrades on trips we’ve taken. A few examples:- During a conversation with a flight attendant while grabbing a snack, I mentioned we were on our honeymoon. A little while later she popped back to our seats with a big smile and a bottle of champagne. - While renting a car in San Francisco, the vehicle we were given wasn’t properly cleaned. I kindly asked to swap to another vehicle without making a big deal. The manager appreciated my friendly approach and we wer upgraded to a BMW SUV from a regular sedan. - During a mid-week visit to a casino hotel in Arizona, we mentioned it was our first time visiting. A $20 tip and a casual mention of “are there any upgrades available tonight?” found us enjoying the penthouse suite complete with floor to ceiling windows, a jacuzzi, and a TV that popped out of the foot of the bed. Any closer on this flight to Belize City and we’d be in the co-pilot seat.5. Volunteering For a New Flight Means Free Travel AheadEver heard one of those announcements in the gate area asking for volunteers to take a later flight in exchange for cash or flight vouchers? They can be a great way to enjoy free travel in the future if your flight plans are flexible. Airlines have become more proactive in their approach, sending notifications and emails to travelers well ahead of boarding asking them how much they’d accept in free flights in exchange for switching their flights. Some airlines will even offer travelers cash in addition to new flights in some circumstances. Rescheduling can have benefits6. Book a Week Instead of Six Nights to SaveWhen booking vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO (as well as some private listings and even a few hotels), you can often save money by staying just a bit longer. For example, booking for seven nights on Airbnb often automatically triggers a weekly discount. Sometimes this discount can be substantial and result in being cheaper than staying for six nights. The same goes for longer term travel, booking for 28 or more nights may trigger a monthly rate that would be less expensive than a shorter stay.Go on, stay an extra day!7. Ask a FriendIt’s a bit of an old-school approach, but putting the word out amongst friends, neighbors, and colleagues during the planning stage of your trip could help find you a new or unique destination or place to stay. Making a social media post about your travel planning is a great way to get recommendations from trusted friends who have visited local eateries and attractions. Who knows, you might even find someone with a cabin or vacation property that you could rent directly and save.Traveling with Good Friends is More Fun!8. Shop Around and Stack Rental Car Codes for More SavingsThere’s no “right way” to book a rental car for the best deal. Sites like [Hotwire](https://www.hotwire.com/) and [Priceline](https://www.priceline.com/) are a good place to start as they offer an aggregation of all rental car companies and filters for car type and whether or not the car is on-site or requires a shuttle to the rental lot. I sometimes go a step further by using a coupon code site like [RetailMeNot](https://www.retailmenot.com/) to find additional deals for specific rental brands. On top of a coupon code, some companies allow you to use more than one discount, known as stacking. For example, you could use an AARP or AAA discount rate along with a coupon.Tough to beat this parking lot view in Pebble Beach, CA9. Use Delivery and Pickup Services to Save Time on VacationI love visiting local grocery stores when on vacation but if you’d rather spend more time on the beach, a great way to save time is to use grocery pickup or delivery services. You can even connect to in-flight wifi and do your shopping while on the way to your destination. Then just pick up your groceries and head to your vacation rental. If you already pay for a grocery delivery membership, check to see if it’s offered where you’re headed to save even more time. You can also do some grocery shopping on the flight home so your fridge is ready to be stocked when you return.Curbside pickup is a great way to plan meals during your trip10. Rent Kids Items (Or Buy When You Arrive)A number of baby and toddler equipment rental companies have popped up in recent years offering cribs, pack-and-plays, strollers, high chairs, and everything else you need to take your little one on a trip. These are a convenient way to pack light while enjoying the comforts of home. Another option is to buy what you need at your destination and then donate it to a local charity or shelter on the last day of your trip. It can sometimes be the same price or cheaper than paying to check extra luggage each way.Consider NOT packing the pack-and-play!Got a great travel hack or tip to add to the list? You can reach me at @JayKruzOfficial on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JayKruzOfficial), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jaykruzofficial/), and [X](https://twitter.com/jaykruzofficial).-Jay