Know the difference between “direct” and “nonstop” flights, and always opt for the latter.

Unlike nonstops, direct flights can touch down at other airports on the way to their ultimate destinations. And while stops are built in to the total travel time, the potential delays they can cause aren’t. Whenever possible, fly nonstop.

Make sure you purchase your ticket under the exact name that appears on your ID.

It might seem obvious to you that Betsy is a nickname for Elizabeth, but it may not to a desk agent or a security officer — any one of whom could ask you to show identification with that name before boarding.

Select your seats as soon as possible

If you have a disability and need a premium seat in the bulkhead, tell the agent when you make your reservation rather than at the airport. Other passengers might be able to get those seats 24 hours before the flight, when they’re made available to everyone through the airline’s website.

Get to your gateway city as early as you can

Since delays stack up as the day progresses, it’s smart to book the first flight you can into a hub if you have a connecting flight. Spending a few extra hours at the airport is better than missing your connection because your first flight was late.

Double-check foreign document requirements.

Some countries — like Chile, Kenya, and India — require a visa for entry; others, like South Africa, won’t allow entrance unless a traveler’s passport contains at least two blank, unstamped pages. You need to be aware of those requirements before you make your flight reservations or you could get stuck Stateside. For a complete list of entrance regulations, visit www.travel.state.gov/travel.

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There are many discounuted airlines out there now and their ticket prices look like a great deal but beware of the hidden costs that may be associated with them. Many of these airlines charge a fee for every bag that is checked while others are lowering their maximum permitted weight limits for checked bags.

Most airlines allow passengers one carry-on bag and one personal item, travelers headed to or passing through the U.K. may only bring one small bag through airport security checkpoints and the size restrictions are rigidly enforced. Your best bet is to check your airline’s web site as well as the TSA web site before every trip to be sure your bags are compliant with the latest rules and regulations.

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Britain Travelers to Be Required to Answer 53 Questions

Anyone travelling to or from Britain will soon have to answer 53 questions as part of the proposed new security measures. Some of the information they would gather would be credit card numbers, e-mail addresses and travel plans for you and anyone in your group. Ideally this would roll out in the summer of 2009. Travelers would submit the information when they buy a ticket and the data will be shared among police, customs, and immigration before the trip takes place. If someone is deemed a threat, officials will deny passage the day of the trip, and even those with outstanding court fines, for example, are subject to be denied a journey.

For the full story in the Daily Mail and to see the list of required information click here.

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Here are some quick things to know when travelling.

• Be prepared by knowing and following the rules. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line.
• If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
• Come early and be patient. The enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints, especially at times of higher traffic volume.
• Speak to your children about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.
• When travelling with large amounts of currency or other valuables, you may request to be screened privately.
• Always check the weather at your destination, and prepare accordingly.
• Dress comfortably.
• Bring a neck pillow for the flight.
• Make sure airplane personnel are aware of any disabilities or medical conditions that may require their assistance at some point during the flight.
• Do not wrap gifts before getting on the plane. You may have to unwrap them for inspection.
• Don’t overpack bags. They may need to be screened, causing delays and making it harder to close them back up.
• Book flights early in the day whenever possible. Early flights are less likely to be delayed.
• Always allow airport personnel and airplane crew members to do their job. Interfering with the duties of a crewmember violates federal law.
• Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal whenever possible.
• Remember that you will be asked to remove your shoes while going through the security checkpoint.
• Always make sure each piece of luggage, whether checked or carry-on, is clearly labeled and secured with an airline-approved lock.
• Keep valuables on you at all times, not in checked baggage.
• Do not put fragile or critical items (keys, medicines, etc.) in checked baggage.
• Always carry a photo I.D.

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If you’re heading overseas on vacation or business this summer or anytime, it’s a good idea to steer clear of certain foods and drinks to keep from getting sick.

One of the joys of traveling is eating things that you wouldn’t normally try. Make sure whatever you consume, exotic or otherwise, is safe.

You can check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see what you need to be wary of.

The result of eating or drinking the wrong thing isn’t pretty. Contaminated food or water can produce diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever and these are just some of the symptoms. Some illnesses can be serious and life-threatening. They include viral infections such as hepatitis A, bacteria, intestinal parasites and dysentery.

She said you can avoid problems by remembering that, It all starts with the water. You’ve probably heard the expression, “Don’t drink the water.” The CDC advises that you shouldn’t drink it unless you know your water has been very thoroughly boiled or it comes in a factory-sealed bottle. The reason that bottled water needs to be sealed is so you know that it actually came from the factory. Otherwise, the bottle might have been refilled with water from a questionable source.

If you’re thirsty, you can drink the bottled water, as long as it’s sealed when you get it. Brush your teeth with it, too. Don’t risk using tap water. Other safe beverages include name-brand drinks that come in sealed cans or bottles, such as carbonated mineral water and soft drinks and, if you don’t overdo it, beer or wine. If you know the water in your cup has been boiled well, coffee or tea should be fine. One thing to know about beverages you drink from cans or bottles: If the outside of the container is wet, wipe the surface dry, just in case the source of that moisture is untreated water.

Ice cubes should also be on your do-not-consume list and some solid food is also of concern.

No matter how tempting certain raw foods may look, they also might make you sick, either because the location where they were grown or caught was contaminated, or because water used to grow, wash or prepare them is unsafe.

Shellfish or meat that’s either raw or undercooked can cause illness. The CDC also urges you to avoid salads, uncooked vegetables, and un-pasteurized milk products, including cheese. Vegetables should be hot.

If you eat fresh fruit, insist on peeling the fruit yourself, to be sure the part you’ll eat wasn’t contaminated after peeling. And whatever you feel like eating, avoid buying it from street vendors. You don’t know where it’s been.

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