The most wonderful (and hectic) time of the year is here. With a record-breaking 119 million people expected to travel for Christmas — and 80 million already hitting the road over Thanksgiving — the holiday rush is in full swing. But let’s be real — between crowded airports, jammed highways and last-minute hiccups, holiday travel can dampen even the jolliest of spirits. Luckily, with a little prep (and maybe a killer holiday playlist — Wham! anyone?), you can navigate the hustle and bustle without wanting to scream into your travel pillow. Whether you’re flying coast-to-coast or road-tripping to Grandma’s, these moves can help keep your holiday vibes merry and bright.
Stay Connected from Takeoff to Touchdown
T-Mobile customers on our best Go5G plans can enjoy free in-flight Wi-Fi on major airlines like Alaska, American, Delta and United, keeping them connected to what matters at 30,000 feet. Whether it’s tracking Santa with the kids or bingeing your favorite shows, staying connected midair has never been easier. Plus, if you’re flying Delta, T-Mobile makes sure everyone on board gets free Wi-Fi — T-Mobile customer or not. Sweet, huh?
Stream Your Favorite Shows Anywhere
Long layovers? Woof. Delayed flights? Gross. No one likes rocky travel, but everyone likes free streaming — and T-Mobile customers on Go5G Next get access to the best entertainment streaming bundle in wireless. With Apple TV+ on Us, Hulu on Us and Netflix on Us, (plus MLB.TV each season) customers get $35 in monthly streaming perks — and zero reason to ever be bored while traveling to their destination.
Save Big on Hotels and Car Rentals
Holiday travel costs add up, but T-Mobile helps customers save in a massive way through Magenta Status. With 15% off Hilton’s 22 leading hotel brands worldwide, and an upgrade to Hilton Honors Silver, T-Mobile customers can save big while living large. Plus, when you rent with Dollar, you can skip the hassle of refueling before returning your car. And with Hertz, there’s no need to recharge an electric vehicle before drop-off either. Just hand over the keys and head off to your next holiday adventure, no extra stops required.
Know When to Hit the Road (or Sky)
Timing can make all the difference when it comes to travel. The weekend of Dec. 20–22 is expected to be the busiest of the season for airports. So, if your plans allow, opt to fly on Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day, when there are fewer crowds and cheaper airfare. Airports are likely to remain busy through at least Dec. 29, so avoid flying until after then if possible — and if not, be sure to download a nice E-book and some extra patience.
Pack Smart, Travel Light
No one wants to lug an overstuffed bag through crowded terminals or play Tetris with multiple big bags and a trunk. Keep it simple: Stick to the essentials, pack versatile clothing and choose gifts that don’t need their own suitcase. If you’re still looking for ideas, tech gifts make a great option — they’re compact, practical and sure to impress even the grinchiest of people on your list.
Turn Travel Apps into Your Co-Pilot
With a surge in flight disruptions in 2024, staying ahead of delays has never been more important. Travel apps like FlightAware and Waze are great tools to keep you informed about real-time updates on flight changes or driving routes, while T-Mobile’s industry-leading 5G network keeps you connected where your holiday plans take you. ¿No eres cliente de T-Mobile? No problem — you can try out America’s largest, fastest and most awarded network for free for three months using Network Pass and experience the Un-carrier difference.
Take Advantage of Credit Card Perks
You may not even realize you’re eligible for an upgraded travel experience through your credit cards. Check your cards for travel benefits like airport lounge access to have a quiet space to recharge (literally and figuratively) and refresh (hello Delta One lounge shower suite!) away from the crowds. And don’t sleep on those rewards points — this is the perfect time to cash them in for travel or to shave a little off your holiday expenses. While credit cards can elevate your holiday travel experience, it’s also important to stay vigilant and take some extra steps to make sure you stay safe and have a scam-free holiday season.
Stay Healthy on the Go
Traveling during the holidays means spending time in close quarters with people in airports, cars, train stations and more — and germs are bound to tag along for the ride. Airplane tray-table surfaces have been found with more than eight times the amount of bacteria per square inch than even the toilet flush buttons. To help keep you and your phone healthy during the holiday travel madness, keep hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes within easy reach to clean your hands and phone on the reg. Also maybe say no to those festive in-flight cocktails (it exacerbates altitude symptoms!) and stay hydrated instead with your trusty refillable water bottle, because nobody’s got time for a post-travel crash when the holiday fun is just getting started.
Now let’s face it, not every trip goes perfectly — and that’s okay. Focus on what you can control, like building in extra time, triple-checking plans and leaning into what really matters this holiday season: good vibes, shared laughs and the gratitude that comes from spending time with people you love.
Happy holidays and safe travels!
Qualifying plans required for full suite of benefits; see here for details: www.t-mobile.com/status. See T-Mobile Tuesdays for current offers and details. Hilton: Deposit & Hilton Honors Membership required for 15% discount. Subject to availability at participating hotels. Terms & conditions apply.