Holiday travel safety: Here's what could go wrong -- and how you can avoid it

What are you afraid of this holiday travel season?

Missing your flight? Losing your luggage? Getting stuck in bad weather?

"Knowing the risks, preparing with the right tools and coverage, and staying informed in real time can separate a smooth trip from a stressful one," says Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pearl Lemon Adventures, a travel agency.

But this holiday travel season is different in several important ways. There's more risk and uncertainty than perhaps at any time since the pandemic. Travel is more expensive than ever. And travel patterns are changing, too.

How do you navigate all of that safely?

How worried are travelers this holiday season?

This holiday season, the travel sentiment is a combination of fear and defiance, according to experts.

A recent study commissioned by AXA Partners US, found that 58 percent of Americans said they were concerned about an unexpected event or accident while traveling. 

"These worries tend to spike during the holiday season, when higher passenger volumes, winter weather, and a greater risk of illness add more uncertainty," explains Stephen Samataro, chief revenue officer of AXA Partners US. 

What are they worried about? According to Global Rescue's Traveler Sentiment and Safety survey, 63 percent of travelers are worried about the effects of natural disasters on their future travel (ranging from “a little” (21 percent) to "a great deal" (9 percent).

“Travelers are proceeding with their plans despite the risks," notes Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies.

In other words, travelers are worried about their safety -- but they're not letting it stop them.

What could go wrong this holiday travel season?

"When it comes to travel, there are a lot of extra concerns during the holidays -- particularly related to busy airports, flight cancellations, and lost luggage," says Kyle Sobko, the CEO of SonderCare, a travel logistics company.

But there are other worries, including:

• Handling unpredictable border crossings.

• Keeping your digital life safe from attacks.

• Handling health emergencies.

Perhaps the worst thing that could happen is that you could lose the value of your vacation, which this year is significant.

Julian Moro, senior vice president and regional security director at International SOS, says that travelers still often lack a basic awareness of the travel risks during the holiday season. 

"Because the holiday season is such a popular time to travel, it’s imperative that travelers are aware of their surroundings, as there is an increased of risk during this time," he notes. "Stay vigilant and keep valuables secure or out of sight, especially in large crowds."

How to make your holiday trip safer

"A lot of travel safety comes down to a little preparation," explains Abhishek Karnik, head of threat research for online protection company McAfee. 

Take digital safety, for example. Before you even get to the airport, it’s worth taking a few simple steps, like turning on two-factor authentication, using strong passwords, and making sure your devices are up to date. If you know you’ll be jumping on public Wi-Fi, using a VPN is a smart move because it adds an extra layer of protection. And if you are crossing the border, you should decide whether you're going to swap out your regular phone for a prepaid burner phone.

Speaking of missing your flight, there are some common-sense steps you can take to avoid that during the holidays, too.

"Check in online and save your boarding pass to your phone," recommends Charlie Neville, the marketing director for JayWay Travel. "There's less chance of losing it or spilling coffee on a paper version."

Also, get familiar with your airport in advance, so you know the location of your terminal and gate. And finally, know your flight number, departure time, and destination.

If there's a twist this holiday season, it's political. Border controls have become unpredictable this year.

"Dual citizens, visa holders, and those with specific cultural, religious, or political affiliations should prepare diligently by documenting plans," advises Frank Harrison, the regional security director of the Americas for World Travel Protection. In other words, carry a copy of your printed itinerary, back up all documents in cloud storage, and research your legal rights before leaving. Also, if you get travel insurance, make sure it includes legal support -- just in case. 

Can travel insurance make your next holiday trip safer?

Another way people are trying to protect their trip is through travel insurance.

"As we look ahead to the 2025 holiday travel season, one thing’s already clear -- travel insurance is in high demand," says Ned Tadic, a spokesman for the travel insurance site Squaremouth. "People are more tuned in to the possibility of disruptions, whether it’s winter storms, flight delays, or unexpected events."

Robert Gallagher, President of the US Travel Insurance Association, notes that travel insurance can address many common concerns for travelers. Those include getting stranded because of a flight cancellation, falling ill away from home, or dealing with lost baggage during a busy season.

"Travel insurance can help address these risks by offering coverage for trip cancellations or interruptions, emergency medical care, and baggage protection," he says. 

This year, companies like Squaremouth have seen a growing interest in "cancel for any reason" travel insurance, and "cancel for work" policies, which offer you more flexibility and protection (but are also more expensive).

Savvy travelers are also looking beyond traditional coverage to policies that include apps such as the Allianz Allyz mobile app. It includes geolocation capabilities to find resources at a destination and provides users with one-touch dialing to Allianz’s travel assistance team. Travelers can also use the app to book a virtual or in-person doctor visit or access their insurance documents.

"Many travel insurance plans include 24/7 travel assistance that can help you with almost any travel-related problem, including finding an appropriate medical facility or helping replace a lost passport," notes Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Partners USA.

Why this holiday travel season feels different

If there's one thing safety experts agree on, it's that this holiday travel season feels a lot different than any other. Specifically, the recent government shutdown has made air travelers hesitate to book an airline ticket. The chances of holiday air travel disruptions are high.

"The upheaval in our society from the massive shift in politics is creating uncertainty," says Thomas Barth, a security expert and crash investigator. "That translates into stress and concerns that affect travel and booking decisions."

Travelers may try to avoid risk either by cutting costs or by buying more insurance to make sure they're covered if something goes wrong. These strategies will ensure that nothing does.