Latest news with #KatyNastro
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Little-known hack to get your suitcase off the plane first revealed
After touching down from a flight, the last thing you need is to be stuck at baggage reclaim waiting for your luggage to arrive. With delays previously documented at UK airports by frustrated passengers, one handy hack has been revealed by an employee. Taking to Quora, the staffer, who works at a regional US airport, explained how being one of the last to drop your bags off is key. He said: 'Bags will always be loaded front to back on the bag carts so if you check in last your bags will be in the last bag cart.' This method could be considered risky though, as you run the chance of accidentally missing your flight's check-in closing time. But another tip is to ask the check-in or bag-drop agent to tag your bag with a priority or fragile sticker. Bags identified as fragile are often loaded last, and on top of other bags. They're also usually the first to be removed after landing. Travel expert Katy Nastro, from website Going, says becoming a frequent flier and earning status with an airline can help ensure your bag is one of the first to be offloaded. Katy explained how some airlines tag checked bags of elite passengers differently, making it clear to the system and staff to separate them. Jesse Neugarten, who is also an airline expert from Dollar Flight Club, said the guaranteed way to ensure your bag is the first off is to travel in First Class. He simply explains: 'Baggage for first-class passengers often travels on a separate cart and is sorted for fast delivery. 'It's one of the few consistent perks airlines still prioritise—and yes, it often works.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
These Are the Best Cities To Fly From To Save Money Going Almost Anywhere
Are you trying to find cheap flights to save money? Whether you are heading to the Caribbean or a domestic location, you'll find many different fares and flight options. Read Next: Explore More: Here are some of the best cities to fly from to save money going almost anywhere, according to a travel expert. So what are the best cities to fly from to save money? GOBankingRates spoke with Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the Going app. 'The most airports that we often find deals to [are] LGA, FLL, EWR, MIA, JFK, LAX, SNA, ORD and BOS,' Nastro said. In other words, the airports are LaGuardia Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Newark Liberty International Airport, Miami International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, John Wayne Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. 'There is no surprise here that these are all based in major metro areas that either have competition from other airports in the area and have a wide variety of both domestic and international carriers for travelers to choose from,' Nastro said. For example, at the John F. Kennedy airport, there are more than 70 different airlines. This means the likelihood of multiple carriers flying the same route is high. To gain your business, airlines may lower their fare price. Check Out: By default, most people search for flights from their closest airport. However, repositioning a flight can result in significant cost savings, especially during peak travel seasons, like spring break or over the holidays. Flight repositioning involves using multiple stops to get to the same destination. Nastro described the best way to reposition your flights, saying, 'Typically, we would suggest finding a quick budget flight to reposition yourself 1-2 hours away to another airport to then fly from there. Alternatively, I've even used miles to reposition myself to LA, for example, from NYC. Fares to Asia at the time I was traveling were 40% less expensive from LA. So, to take advantage of that savings, I booked a separate round-trip flight from New York City to LA to reposition myself at no additional cost (minus the taxes).' When looking for cheap flights, you could consider choosing a city that has high competition. This means there are dozens of airlines and route options for you to choose from. Similarly, consider repositioning your flights. You might be surprised to find that booking two flights can save you hundreds of dollars compared with one direct flight. More From GOBankingRates 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses This article originally appeared on These Are the Best Cities To Fly From To Save Money Going Almost Anywhere
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-lead-image-GETBAGS0525-f470daf746a04cf592ae798059353fd3.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
How to Get Your Luggage to Arrive First at Baggage Claim, According to Aviation Experts
After a long flight, the last thing anyone wants is to be stuck at baggage claim, watching dozens of suitcases circle by while yours is nowhere in sight. We've all been there—and it's never fun. Fortunately, there are ways to speed up the process and increase your bag's chances of coming out first. Airlines handle staggering volumes of luggage each day. For context, Delta handled 145 million checked bags last year; that breaks down to nearly 400,000 per day on average—an enormous number highlighting how complex and automated modern baggage systems are. While there's no surefire way to guarantee your suitcase is the first one on the carousel, there are a few smart strategies that can seriously improve your odds, says Dollar Flight Club founder Jesse Neugarten. But before diving into those, it's worth debunking one common myth: 'A lot of travelers believe that paying for checked luggage through a basic economy ticket somehow deprioritizes their bag,' Neugarten explains. However, in reality, that's not the case. 'Once the bag is in the system, how it's handled depends much more on when and how it's checked—not the fare class you booked.' Below, we're breaking down expert-approved strategies to boost your bag's chances of being among the first on the carousel. Jesse Neugarten is the founder of Dollar Flight Club, a subscription service that sends members alerts about major airfare drops and occasional mistake fares. Katy Nastro is a travel expert at Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), a membership-based service that helps travelers find deeply discounted flight deals. "Many people don't realize how complex the belly of the checked luggage beast is," explains Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights). "Intricate conveyor belts at some of the world's largest airports are controlled by systems to ensure passengers not only receive their luggage but, in some cases, get their bags first." While there's no guaranteed way to be first at baggage claim, Nastro notes that being a frequent flier or holding elite status is your best bet. Per the pro, airlines often tag these bags differently, making it easier for the system and baggage handlers to separate them. "And for loyalty members, this can be a nice perk—you don't always have to book a premium seat to benefit." Full flight? Take advantage of the opportunity to gate-check your carry-on bag for free, which Nastro describes as a potential "golden opportunity to not have to wait for your bag at the carousel." Keep in mind that gate checks with jet bridge pickup typically only happen on smaller domestic flights with limited overhead bin space. If your bag gets rerouted to baggage claim, gate-checking just before takeoff doesn't necessarily mean it will arrive any faster. Aerial view of luggage on an airport carousel. As he previously mentioned, there's no difference between how bags are treated for basic economy and economy ticket holders. But according to Neugarten, passengers flying in a premium cabin typically have their checked bags tagged as 'priority,' which means they're loaded last and among the first to be unloaded when you land. 'Baggage for first-class passengers often travels on a separate cart and is sorted for fast delivery,' he explains. 'It's one of the few consistent perks airlines still prioritize—and yes, it often works.' 'Even if you're flying economy, asking for a 'priority' tag—sometimes available at check-in for a fee or through certain credit cards—or a 'fragile' label can help,' says Neugarten. He tells Travel + Leisure that bags marked fragile are often placed on top of other luggage and loaded last, which means they're typically among the first to be unloaded upon landing. While it's not a guarantee, Neugarten calls it a low-effort way to potentially jump the line at baggage claim. 'A common misconception is that checking in early gets you better bag service,' says Neugarten. However, the opposite is often true: 'The earlier you check your luggage, the sooner it gets loaded—meaning it's more likely to come out last at baggage claim.' Bags checked closer to departure are typically loaded last and come off first. Just don't cut it too close—or you might miss your flight; many airlines require bags to be checked at least 45 minutes before departure now. When it comes to getting your bag quickly, airport size and efficiency definitely matter, says Neugarten—and the reasoning makes sense. 'Larger hub airports often have longer baggage processing times due to volume,' he explains. 'Smaller or newer airports with upgraded systems tend to deliver bags faster across the board.' So if you have a choice, opting for a smaller or more modern airport could help speed up your time at baggage claim.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
These Are the Best Cities To Fly From To Save Money Going Almost Anywhere
Are you trying to find cheap flights to save money? Whether you are heading to the Caribbean or a domestic location, you'll find many different fares and flight options. Read Next: Explore More: Here are some of the best cities to fly from to save money going almost anywhere, according to a travel expert. So what are the best cities to fly from to save money? GOBankingRates spoke with Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for the Going app. 'The most airports that we often find deals to [are] LGA, FLL, EWR, MIA, JFK, LAX, SNA, ORD and BOS,' Nastro said. In other words, the airports are LaGuardia Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International, Newark Liberty International Airport, Miami International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, John Wayne Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. 'There is no surprise here that these are all based in major metro areas that either have competition from other airports in the area and have a wide variety of both domestic and international carriers for travelers to choose from,' Nastro said. For example, at the John F. Kennedy airport, there are more than 70 different airlines. This means the likelihood of multiple carriers flying the same route is high. To gain your business, airlines may lower their fare price. Check Out: By default, most people search for flights from their closest airport. However, repositioning a flight can result in significant cost savings, especially during peak travel seasons, like spring break or over the holidays. Flight repositioning involves using multiple stops to get to the same destination. Nastro described the best way to reposition your flights, saying, 'Typically, we would suggest finding a quick budget flight to reposition yourself 1-2 hours away to another airport to then fly from there. Alternatively, I've even used miles to reposition myself to LA, for example, from NYC. Fares to Asia at the time I was traveling were 40% less expensive from LA. So, to take advantage of that savings, I booked a separate round-trip flight from New York City to LA to reposition myself at no additional cost (minus the taxes).' When looking for cheap flights, you could consider choosing a city that has high competition. This means there are dozens of airlines and route options for you to choose from. Similarly, consider repositioning your flights. You might be surprised to find that booking two flights can save you hundreds of dollars compared with one direct flight. More From GOBankingRates How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region This article originally appeared on These Are the Best Cities To Fly From To Save Money Going Almost Anywhere
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-lead-image-CLEARHISTORY0525-a8f7a6d881014a798e8234f2d5328d0f.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
Does Clearing Your Search History Actually Affect Flight Prices?
If you've ever searched for a flight, exited the tab to mull it over, and returned to find the fare mysteriously higher, you're not alone. You've also probably heard the advice: clear your cookies, switch browsers, and search in incognito mode. The idea that airlines or booking sites track your searches to hike prices remains one of the most persistent travel myths of the digital age. To find out whether there's any truth to this widely circulated belief, we asked travel experts to weigh in on what's fact, what's fiction, and what's really driving those seemingly ever-changing fares. Katy Nastro is a travel expert at Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), a flight price alert platform that helps travelers find the best flight deals. Sophia Lin is the director of product management for travel and local at Google Search. Jesse Neugarten is the founder of Dollar Flight Club, a subscription-based travel site dedicated to helping travelers snag discounted airfare. Despite what many travelers believe, there's no concrete evidence that airlines or booking sites raise prices based on how often you search for a route. Experts say the pricing shifts you see are more about market demand than digital surveillance. "There is a common misconception that repeated search behavior will lead to not just a different, but higher outcome," explains Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. This is why people are often told to clear their cache or cookies or to use an incognito browser. However, that's more travel myth than truth—something that's stuck around thanks to anecdotal frustration and online hearsay. Per the pro, "There is no credible data source that suggests repeated searching is tracked and therefore manipulated to higher pricing." According to Sophia Lin, director of product management for travel and local at Google Search, "Ticket prices are constantly changing and being updated across different data providers, even from second to second. And every day, our systems are computing an enormous number of possible ticket combinations for trips around the world." Nastro offers a similar perspective, explaining that travelers are "seeing the market move in real time." And if anyone would know, it's Nastro and her team, who "run hundreds of searches a day, if not thousands by the end of the week, and have done so for years, and yet we still have not seen this mythic pattern some swear by." She continues: "Our founder, Scott Keyes, even went so far as duplicating a search 100 times in an hour to see if there would be any upward movement—and guess what, there was not!" Jesse Neugarten, founder of Dollar Flight Club, echoes these sentiments, telling Travel + Leisure , "While it's a widely held belief that flight prices go up the more you search for a route, there's no hard evidence that browsing history or repeated searches alone directly cause price increases." Instead, he explains that travelers are often observing a combination of natural price fluctuations and cached data, which can create the illusion of price changes, bringing us to our next point. While it might seem random, airfare pricing is anything but. Behind the scenes, airlines use dynamic algorithms that constantly recalculate fares based on shifting variables. According to Neugarten, flight prices are determined by complex, real-time algorithms that adjust based on factors like "seat inventory, booking trends, time to departure, competitor pricing, and external factors like weather or fuel costs." Additionally, explains Nastro, "When you see prices fluctuate in real time, you are seeing the airlines trying to adjust based on those factors." Additionally, she says, "They have fare buckets." Think of it like this: Airlines allocate a set number of seats to each bucket for a certain period, though those allocations can shift based on the factors mentioned earlier. Once fare bucket X sells out, a new, often higher-priced bucket takes its place. So when you notice sudden jumps or drops in airfare, you're likely seeing fare buckets updating in real time. To illustrate the scale of this complexity, Lin explains that there can be seemingly endless ticket combinations for trips between Los Angeles and London. This is especially true once you factor in variables like connecting flights and competing booking sites, so you could end up with just as many different fare prices. A person looking up flights on their phone. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure In summary, no. "There is no record of flight searches being improved by using incognito mode or clearing cookies," says Nastro. Both she and Neugarten tell T+L that the "benefit" is primarily psychological. Nastro likes to think of it like a lucky t-shirt on game day: Is it really the shirt that led to the win—or was it more likely a good night's sleep, solid training, and preparation? She encourages travelers to focus on tools like flight price alerts for the best chance to snag deals on airfare. Per Neugarten, "Searching in incognito mode or clearing cookies might prevent your browser from showing cached results, which can make it appear like prices have changed." However, he adds, "In most cases, the underlying pricing, especially when powered by predictive algorithms, isn't tied to your cookies. It's fluctuating due to real-time changes in inventory and demand." Lin reinforces this idea: "Incognito mode, browsing history, search history, or switching devices won't impact the prices we show on Google Flights." She adds, "Unfortunately for deal-seekers, it's not true."
