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Set to Jet-Set

September—post Labor Day—is an ideal time to book your vacation, and here are five tips to keep in mind.

Photography by frantic00 / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Travel is heating up despite packed airports, crowded destinations and rising prices. In fact, 80 percent of Americans planned to travel as much or more this summer than they did last summer, according to a new Harris Poll survey from T-Mobile.

Yes, Americans are eager to travel again, and with a little planning, nothing should get in the way of some much-deserved R&R. No matter where you’re going as we now head for the fall and holiday travel periods, here’s how to watch your wallet while making the most of your adventures.

Plan Ahead: With international travel restrictions lifted, global bookings have surged by over 200 percent compared to last year, according to AAA. And some of the most popular destinations searched for on Google Flights for this summer are London, Cancun, Paris and Rome. If you’re planning to travel internationally and need a passport, estimated processing times are 11 to 13 weeks instead of the usual 8 to 10 due to an uptick in applications and demand. So, get going!

Be Flexible: Now that the peak summer travel season (mid-June through August) is over, try booking now during the “shoulder season,” which is the time just before and after summer. Travel experts recommend booking travel in September to reduce cost.

Stay Connected: Reliable wireless when traveling is no longer a luxury, but an absolute necessity, with 95 percent of American travelers in the T-Mobile survey saying it’s a travel essential. Some phone plans—like the new Go5G Plus from T-Mobile—give customers built-in travel benefits and coverage that works the minute you arrive. With free in-flight Wi-Fi and free high-speed data in more than 215 countries, the journey is seamless from start to finish and all included in the price of your monthly plan. To learn more about T-Mobile’s travel benefits and their new Go5G plans, visit t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans.

Pack Smart: An estimated 2.2 million bags were lost or mishandled on U.S. airlines in 2022, an increase from 1.4 million in 2021, according to the 2022 Air Travel Consumer Report. If you’re nervous about checking your luggage, place an Apple AirTag in your bag or luggage to know where it is at all times. Some bags, like T-Mobile’s limited edition Un-carrier On, even come packed with the tech you need to ensure a smooth trip, including a power bank and smart tag device.

Use Points: According to T-Mobile’s Harris Poll survey, nearly half (47 percent) of summer travelers used miles, points or rewards to book their summer travel this year and nearly two-thirds of all travelers (66 percent) rely on discounts and deals when booking travel accommodations. Certain credit cards give you points or miles to use for future travel when you sign up. If you’re a T-Mobile customer, you can save up to 40 percent on select hotels and car rentals by booking through T-Mobile TRAVEL from Priceline. Most bookings come with free, flexible cancellations so you can plan with peace of mind.

Magic Carpet Travels is located at 1359 S. Main Rd., Vineland, NJ 08360. Contact at [email protected] or 856-507-9110.

Avelo Airlines at

Wilmington Airport Adds Two Destinations

Avelo Airlines recently announced a historic expansion at Wilmington Airport (ILG) with the addition of two new nonstop tropical destinations: San Juan, Puerto Rico and Sarasota-Bradenton, FL. Avelo is the first airline to offer nonstop flights beyond the continental United States at ILG, an alternative option to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

When these two new destinations take flight in November, Avelo will serve 15 nonstop destinations from its Philadelphia/Delaware Valley base. Since taking flight in February, Avelo has flown more than 125,000 customers at ILG, the fastest single-year growth rate in airport history. Overall, since taking flight on April 28, 2021, Avelo has flown nearly three million customers on over 20,000 flights.

Avelo will begin serving San Juan on November 15, with twice-weekly nonstop service on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Avelo’s nonstop service to Sarasota-Bradenton will begin on November 2, with twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays. Both routes will utilize the two 189-seat Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft Avelo has based at ILG.

Avelo at ILG now boasts 15 popular nonstop destinations:

  • Charleston, S.C. (CHS) – Seasonal
  • Daytona Beach, Fla. (DAB)
  • Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (FLL)
  • Fort Myers, Fla. (RSW)
  • Greenville / Spartanburg, S.C. (GSP) – Seasonal
  • Myrtle Beach, S.C. (MYR)
  • Nashville, Tenn. (BNA) – Seasonal
  • Orlando, Fla. (MCO)
  • Raleigh / Durham, N.C. (RDU) – Seasonal
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) – service begins November 15
  • Sarasota / Bradenton, Fla. (SRQ) – service begins November 2
  • Savannah, Ga. / Hilton Head, S.C. (SAV) – Seasonal
  • Tampa, Fla. (TPA)
  • West Palm Beach, Fla. (PBI) – Seasonal
  • Wilmington, N.C. (ILM) – Seasonal

For special introductory one-way fares between ILG and San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) and between ILG and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), visit AveloAir.com.