(NAPSA)—Taking the wrinkles out of your next holiday trip means more than knowing which clothes will travel well. Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is the busiest travel period of the year. Millions of people will be traveling over a short period of time and there are plenty of steps you can take to prepare for the journey. Here are sometravel tips from Stephanie Oswald, Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, the premier source for sophisticated women looking for high-quality travel: Cover yourself. Travel insurance can assist travelers with incidents ranging from lost tickets and baggage tracking to helping travelers in the event of terrorism, hurri- canes and medical emergencies. Most policies can be purchased up to 24 hours before departure. Oswald recommends travel insurance companies such as Travel Guard (www.travelguard. com), which covers everything from trip cancellation before you go to lost baggage and medical expenses while traveling, as well as 24/7 travel assistance. According to the U.S. Depart- ment of Transportation, in 2005, U.S. airlines lost about 10,000 bags a day on average, the worst performance since 1990. Travel Guard programs not only help reimburse for lost or stolen luggage, but they can help track your lost or delayed bags for you and make sure they are delivered no matter where you are. The coverage may also reimburse for essential items if your luggage is delayed for more than 24 hours. Plan ahead. New TSA(Trans- portation Security Administration) regulations determine what you can and cannot pack in yourcarry- on luggage. All liquids, gels and Be aware of new regulations for carry-on luggage. aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. All such containers must be placed in single, quartsize, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Only one bag is allowed per traveler. For up-to-date information, visit www.TSA.gov. Bring your numbers. Keep the phone numbers of your travel agent and the travel assistance hotline of your travel insurance provider handy. They will be your lifelines during unpredictable situations such asflight delays or cancellations, airline strikes, etc. Pack light. Try to bring only one item of carry-on luggage. If checking bags, remember to pack at least one change of clothing in your carry-on should the airline lose your luggage. Ship your gifts. Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrappedgifts to the security checkpoint. TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons. Travel insurance providers such as Travel Guard can help arrange for you to ship your gifts to your holiday destination aheadof time. For more tips from travelgirl Magazine, visit www.travel guard.com. Note to Editors: The travel insurance offered through AIG Travel Guardis underwritten by American Home Assurance Company or National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., with their principal place of business in New York, N.Y. Both of these companies are subsidiaries of AIG. The policies contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions. Not all coverages are available in every state. Noninsurance services are provided by Travel Guard.
