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Travel

Society of American Travel Writers Gold Award winner

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The worst mistakes you can make when traveling for the holidays — and how to avoid them

The worst mistakes you can make when traveling for the holidays — and how to avoid them

You may not travel often so you may not know some of the rules that govern airline travel and even car or train travel. Here are some of the gotchas — and some of the ways not to let them get you.

By Catharine Hamm
5:00 AM

Making family holiday travel easier takes a little foresight, some imagination and a malleable mindset

Longer lines and shorter tempers, unexpected detours and annoying delays — all can bring out the grump in anyone facing holiday travel. If you’re gearing up for holiday travel with kids, consider these tips to help you find and keep the joy of the season.

3:00 AM
Uber’s new loyalty program means you could be riding for free

Uber’s new loyalty program means you could be riding for free

Lyft will follow suit starting in December. Neither is offering points for dollar spent in L.A. right now but that's yet to come.

Nov 16, 2018
$461 round trip from LAX to Delhi, India, on China Southern

$461 round trip from LAX to Delhi, India, on China Southern

Nov 16, 2018

At this Palm Desert hotel, you can stay in a room or a tricked-out Airstream

Nov 16, 2018
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TRAVEL TIPS
The worst mistakes you can make when traveling for the holidays — and how to avoid them
The worst mistakes you can make when traveling for the holidays — and how to avoid them
5:00 AM
Older than 55? Welcome to the age of the tiger traveler
Older than 55? Welcome to the age of the tiger traveler
Nov 4, 2018
Travel may be the key to ending your unhealthy love affair with your electronic devices
Travel may be the key to ending your unhealthy love affair with your electronic devices
Oct 29, 2018
The promise of better airline seating may hold an uncomfortable truth
The promise of better airline seating may hold an uncomfortable truth
Oct 24, 2018
Tax troubles may mean passport troubles. How a law can trip up your trip abroad
Tax troubles may mean passport troubles. How a law can trip up your trip abroad
Oct 15, 2018
Go ahead and take that car trip, but please leave the bad habits at home
Go ahead and take that car trip, but please leave the bad habits at home
Oct 1, 2018
The three most important rules for protecting your trip and yourself
The three most important rules for protecting your trip and yourself
Sep 24, 2018
Need to find a way to the airport with a child in a car seat? Oh, baby, be prepared to pay the price
Need to find a way to the airport with a child in a car seat? Oh, baby, be prepared to pay the price
Sep 10, 2018
Your U.S. chipped card will work just fine abroad, until it doesn't
Your U.S. chipped card will work just fine abroad, until it doesn't
Aug 27, 2018
If you fib to the feds and get caught, as this couple did, you probably aren't going to become a Trusted Traveler
If you fib to the feds and get caught, as this couple did, you probably aren't going to become a Trusted Traveler
Aug 20, 2018
Is basic economy or the ultra-low-cost carrier the answer to the leisure traveler's prayers?
Is basic economy or the ultra-low-cost carrier the answer to the leisure traveler's prayers?
Aug 13, 2018
Stuck in customer-service hell? Here's the secret to solving your problem: you
Stuck in customer-service hell? Here's the secret to solving your problem: you
Aug 6, 2018
That medication you're taking? It may not be allowed in another country
That medication you're taking? It may not be allowed in another country
Jul 30, 2018
What to do if your passport or driver's license never arrives
What to do if your passport or driver's license never arrives
Jul 16, 2018
Federal law? State law? Which takes precedence when you want to travel with cannabis?
Federal law? State law? Which takes precedence when you want to travel with cannabis?
Jul 10, 2018
Federal law? State law? Which takes precedence when you want to travel with cannabis?
Federal law? State law? Which takes precedence when you want to travel with cannabis?
Jul 9, 2018
A leaf-peeping trip to Arizona? Color yourself smart. The Grand Canyon state can be grand for fall hues
A leaf-peeping trip to Arizona? Color yourself smart. The Grand Canyon state can be grand for fall hues
Jul 2, 2018
When the cheap seats just won't do, here's how to get an upgrade to the lap of luxury
When the cheap seats just won't do, here's how to get an upgrade to the lap of luxury
Jun 25, 2018
The future of in-flight entertainment is up in the air
The future of in-flight entertainment is up in the air
Jun 11, 2018
The case of the disappearing points: Do you know where your frequent-flier miles are?
The case of the disappearing points: Do you know where your frequent-flier miles are?
Jun 4, 2018
If you're in a hurry to renew your Global Entry card, you could be in a pickle
If you're in a hurry to renew your Global Entry card, you could be in a pickle
May 28, 2018
What you need to know about your driver's license and your car rental before you hit the road
What you need to know about your driver's license and your car rental before you hit the road
May 21, 2018
My mistake dragged my family into a passport crisis, but the end of the story will surprise you
My mistake dragged my family into a passport crisis, but the end of the story will surprise you
May 7, 2018
On the Spot: Having extra protection from credit cards can be like money in the bank
On the Spot: Having extra protection from credit cards can be like money in the bank
Apr 30, 2018
Here's a nasty surprise about travel reward cards: Time is not on your side. That's not the only gotcha
Here's a nasty surprise about travel reward cards: Time is not on your side. That's not the only gotcha
Apr 23, 2018
Southern California ski resorts are opening for the season, and you can stock up on gear at Ski Dazzle Show
Nov 15, 2018
Princess adds more round-trip cruises from Los Angeles to Alaska
Nov 15, 2018
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California bucket list: See A Year's Worth of Adventures
Pedal L.A.'s Echo Park Lake, munch a fancy snack and daydream of Sister Aimee and the spiritualists
Pedal L.A.'s Echo Park Lake, munch a fancy snack and daydream of Sister Aimee and the spiritualists
Aug 9, 2018
Seven summer heat-beating ideas from our California Bucket List
Seven summer heat-beating ideas from our California Bucket List
Aug 3, 2018
Catch baseball joy in L.A, Anaheim, San Diego, maybe even the Bay Area
Catch baseball joy in L.A, Anaheim, San Diego, maybe even the Bay Area
May 22, 2018
See the Giants, glimpse the bay and duck the gulls at San Francisco's AT&T Park
See the Giants, glimpse the bay and duck the gulls at San Francisco's AT&T Park
May 8, 2018
At these 8 California spots, spring shows up with a splash
At these 8 California spots, spring shows up with a splash
Mar 20, 2018
These 10 California creatures could be the oozing, bellowing, fluttering, galloping stars of your next weekend
These 10 California creatures could be the oozing, bellowing, fluttering, galloping stars of your next weekend
Feb 28, 2018
Fly, roll, float and romp in a Disney's ever-evolving California Adventure
Fly, roll, float and romp in a Disney's ever-evolving California Adventure
Jan 31, 2018
Design geeks and California desert rats, this 12-stop program is for you
Design geeks and California desert rats, this 12-stop program is for you
Jan 30, 2018
With Highway 101 reopened, these 10 top Santa Barbara spots are easy to reach again
With Highway 101 reopened, these 10 top Santa Barbara spots are easy to reach again
Jan 24, 2018
Drive the narrow, winding, spectacular back-door route to Big Sur: Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
Drive the narrow, winding, spectacular back-door route to Big Sur: Nacimiento-Fergusson Road
Jan 8, 2018
Recline, rebel or revel in Grand Park, where downtown L.A. celebrates
Recline, rebel or revel in Grand Park, where downtown L.A. celebrates
Dec 31, 2017
Gawk as the waters of McWay Falls plunge from Big Sur to the sea
Gawk as the waters of McWay Falls plunge from Big Sur to the sea
Dec 30, 2017
Marvel over this San Francisco church inspired by the ideals of the 'Scandinavian Da Vinci'
Marvel over this San Francisco church inspired by the ideals of the 'Scandinavian Da Vinci'
Dec 29, 2017
Soak away your stress and join Club Mud at a Corona hot springs that embraces everyone
Soak away your stress and join Club Mud at a Corona hot springs that embraces everyone
Dec 28, 2017
See the small world within this Carlsbad museum of miniature engineering
See the small world within this Carlsbad museum of miniature engineering
Dec 27, 2017
Start the New Year right with a visit to Pasadena's Rose Parade
Start the New Year right with a visit to Pasadena's Rose Parade
Dec 26, 2017
Meander among 5 million lights at Riverside’s Mission Inn
Meander among 5 million lights at Riverside’s Mission Inn
Dec 25, 2017
Peer into a writer’s head and a valley’s soul in Salinas
Peer into a writer’s head and a valley’s soul in Salinas
Dec 24, 2017
Treat yourself to Spago in Beverly Hills, and a possible tableside visit from the boss
Treat yourself to Spago in Beverly Hills, and a possible tableside visit from the boss
Dec 23, 2017
Frolic amid mai tais, Spam and tiki culture at the Bali Hai on San Diego Bay
Frolic amid mai tais, Spam and tiki culture at the Bali Hai on San Diego Bay
Dec 22, 2017
Celebrate at Lawry's in Beverly Hills, where thick slabs of prime rib are sliced right at your table
Celebrate at Lawry's in Beverly Hills, where thick slabs of prime rib are sliced right at your table
Dec 21, 2017
Feast your eyes and watch your step in downtown L.A.'s Arts District
Feast your eyes and watch your step in downtown L.A.'s Arts District
Dec 20, 2017
Read forbidden words and savor daring artists in Big Sur's Henry Miller Library
Read forbidden words and savor daring artists in Big Sur's Henry Miller Library
Dec 19, 2017
Roam the San Luis Obispo canyon full of architectural daydreams and wandering horses
Roam the San Luis Obispo canyon full of architectural daydreams and wandering horses
Dec 18, 2017
Step into the vast, strange spectacle of Kenny Irwin’s Robolights in Palm  Springs
Step into the vast, strange spectacle of Kenny Irwin’s Robolights in Palm  Springs
Dec 17, 2017
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