We are professional travelers and not too often we get stumped by questions from our readers, so we compiled a list. These are travel questions that we get often and the answers aren’t so straightforward. Hopefully these will shed some light on issues many readers have had and couldn’t find the answers to.

Cheapest Days to fly?

Travel can be expensive so it’s best to search for the cheapest flights.  The cheapest days to fly in the United States are usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and international flights are cheapest on weekdays. Always check around because sometimes you will find a diamond in the rough and get a cheap weekend international flight or a unicorn in the cheap Friday flight.

Carry-ons are always free?

You would think so but as we have unfortunately found out many of the ultra discount carriers (think Spirit) charge for carry-ons. These guidelines should be present when you book so make sure you check your airline’s regulations.  Its getting more and more expensive to travel, especially with all these countless add-ons.

I saw cheaper tickets after I bought mine, what can I do?

You can always change your flights but most airline charge for this convenience. You may end up paying more than the amount you would have saved by switching. It’s always a good move to check with the airline before you attempt to switch, or even before you book.

You have 24 hours to change after your purchase. The Department of Transportation requires all U.S. carriers to offer a 24-hour grace period where you can change your flight at no charge. So officially you have 24 hours to find a cheaper flight on all U.S. airlines.

Southwest is the only U.S. carrier that currently doesn’t charge a change fee, so search away and book at your leisure with Southwest.

You other option is at the time of purchase. Some carriers offer refundable tickets, which allow you to change whenever you want but are often more expensive.

Why are security lines so long?

Well, they aren’t always long but they all seem to take forever. If you hate waiting, check the TSA app on your smartphone and get real time updates and wait times. If you hate waiting in general then you should obviously get the TSA PreCheck. Cut the long security lines and breeze through security checkpoints without taking your shoes off or laptop out of your bag. This service averages out to only $20 a year for the five-year period it’s active for.

Where did my favorite airline go?

Ok, airlines come and go just like other brands do. If you haven’t traveled in a long time then you may be wondering where your favorite carriers have disappeared. You may be missing AirTran, Continental, Northwest or U.S.Airways, all of which have recently disappear from airports. You soon will see Virgin America and Alaska merge into one airline and we aren’t sure what name they will adopt.

What airline has the cheapest flights?

No one airline has the lowest fare as the business is super competitive now. You will however find some low prices on the ultra discount carriers but they often have hidden fees like charging for carry-on baggage, which make them equal to other airlines. Your best bet is to check with comparison sites like Kayak.com and see what all the airlines are charging and then make an educated decision.

Why is airfare so expensive?

They aren’t always expensive; you are probably just looking at the wrong times. Try to avoid flying during holidays or when many people want to fly. The higher the demand the higher the prices. So if you want to save big bucks, simply book early and be flexible when you can fly.

I hear a lot of young people nowadays talking about how hard it is to travel and how they wish they could get out more. Well, the time is now people and your window to wander around the globe is shrinking everyday. Young millennials have the perfect circumstances to travel, less responsibilities and nothing holding them down. Us adults have jobs, families, children and beer bellies among other issues.

If I were 20 years old again, I’d travel as much as I could and see the world and broaden my experiences. These valuable lessons you’ll learn traveling will shape your life from here on, so take advantage of your freedom and travel young friends.

Here is the best advice I can give young millennials on travel that I wish I received when I was 20 years old.

Travel Slow

Take your time and enjoy the scenery. Many of us try and jam pack so much into a trip because we are worried about missing something, when in reality if you try and do too much you are missing the entire trip. The idea of travel is to relax, experience new things and broaden our worldview, but if you are constantly on the go, you won’t enjoy yourself.

Millennials if you must make plans while traveling, make them as loose as possible so that you can actually enjoy your travels and learn a little bit about yourself in the process.

Put Away your phone

Turn of your damn phone and look around, the world’s beauty might just surprise you sometimes. My biggest issue with Millennials is their reliance on technology and screens in general.   I see it all the time, I’ll be traveling in exotic locals and I’ll look over to see a millennial nose deep in their phones as the most epic of sights is in front of them. Try and leave your phone at home, truly check out and see the world with your two eyes.

Say yes

Be a yes person and take any adventure that is presented. How often will some fellow traveler invite you on an epic journey? Not often is the answer, so take advantage of your youth and do it, whatever IT is.   Learn to say yes and life-changing adventures will be your reward.  You are a millennial, you have no responsibilities, no career, no kids so say yes.

Never too young

I wish I traveled more when I was much younger, but I didn’t take advantage. I did travel right after high school and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I was a legal adult but my maturity was so low. Taking the opportunities given to me was the best decisions I made and I learned so much about myself. Get out there and explore the world, your older self will thank you.

Photos aren’t everything

Instagram pictures aren’t what make travel worth it, it’s the experiences. Don’t spend your entire trip taking photos, instead, put aside some time to take pictures and the rest to experience new cultures and things.

No excuses

Stop making excuses why you aren’t traveling and make excuses why you are traveling. Your job right out of college will and can wait, so take a week and see Thailand or visit a new state. Travel doesn’t have to be a huge deal, instead make it a part of your life.

Go alone

Waiting for your friends to be ready and you will wait forever. Take the initiative and make your own path. Traveling solo will make you a better person and much more self-reliant.

Save your money

Put a little bit aside each month for travel and before you know it you can have the most epic vacation ever and it’s basically free. Taking $50-100 a month adds up quick and you wont have to break the bank.

Travel now – pay later

Putting a trip on a credit card isn’t the worst idea if you are young and are responsible at paying it off. Don’t worry about the bills now, you are young and have a lifetime to pay them off. What you won’t have forever is your youth.

We’ve all experienced the boarding area jerk at the airport and hopefully you won’t be that asshole.   You know the douche that is talking loudly on their phone or arguing with the poor airline staff, don’t be the cause of other people’s stress.   Let’s all be civilized adults here and act like you’ve traveled before.

Don’t be a jerk in the boarding area by avoiding these common dick moves.

Don’t put feet up

I get it, traveling is tiring and you are exhausted but do you have to put your feet all over the seats around you? No, stop invading other people’s personal space with your big old Fred Flintstone toes. Unless you have a medical condition where you need your foot elevated, keep it down on the floor where it belongs.

Stop saving all the seats

Ok, we’ve all seen this jerk. The boarding area only has a certain number of seats, never enough for everyone, so stop hogging seats with your luggage. Stack your luggage up on the floor and let me sit down. I can understand keeping your carry on close because it has your valuable, but that big roller bag doesn’t need a chair.

Power Outlet Hog

This jerk doesn’t need to charge all their electronics at once. If there are multiple power outlets next to you, don’t be greedy and only use one outlet. Maybe plan ahead their power hog and bring your own power strip next time if you really must charge your two phones, IPad and laptop at the same time.

Stop eating stinky food there

They have restaurants in the airport for a reason, to eat food there. Can we all stop eating stinky ass food in the waiting area and for heaven’s sake keep it off the airplane.   I ’m tired of smelling some tuna sandwich being chomped on behind my seat in the boarding area, eat at the restaurant you bought the food from, geez. People treat the boarding area like it’s their living room, it’s not so act right.

Stop crowding the gate

The worst possible people crowd the gate before their flight. These jerks are all usually a late boarding group so they are trying to jump the line. No Cuts, No Butts and definitely No Coconuts. Please be an adult and wait for your group to be called before crowding the tiny boarding area.

Leave the airline employees alone

It’s not the gate attendant’s fault that the plane is delayed, so leave the poor employee alone. Customer service is a thankless job that never gets paid enough, so give them a break. We’ve all see the asshole yelling at them when they can do absolutely nothing about it. Traveling can suck; so don’t make it worse by being a jerk.

Keep quiet on your phone

This jerk needs to learn how to use their inside voice. We all get it; you are some important hotshot businessperson who is making a douche call, but can’t you use a quieter voice. Learn how to be respectful of people around you or be hated by all.

Let’s all try and be better, more considerate people while traveling.