Illustration by Juliette Borda / New York Times News Service

It’s a new year, time to start a gratitude journal and hit the gym, yes, but also time to ensure you get lounge access, free miles and the best possible outcome should your flight be canceled. In 2013 travelers bemoaned being barred from planes, stranded in faraway cities and confused about what’s allowed on board. Resolve to not make the same mistakes in 2014 and prepare — not just for delays but also spur-of-the-moment getaways — with this five-step travel checklist.

1. Has your passport expired? Answering that question isn’t as simple as glancing at the date. Let’s say your passport doesn’t expire for another four months. You can book that last-minute flight deal to Bangkok, right? Wrong. Even if a U.S. passport is months away from expiring, some countries will not let you in, and it’s up to you to know which countries they are. If not, as a friend of a friend found out when attempting to fly to Germany, you could arrive at the airport only to be told you can’t board the plane. Bottom line: Check the entry and exit requirements (including rules about how many blank pages your passport must have) on the U.S. State Department’s website, which provides a searchable list at travel.state.gov/travel.

2. Did you remove that Swiss Army knife from your carry-on bag? In March the Transportation Security Administration was making plans to allow pocketknives on airplanes but backed down after resistance from the flight attendants’ union and some lawmakers. So where does that leave you? The general rule is that you cannot put sharp objects in your carry-on bag with a few exceptions, like small needles for medical use and scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches.

Still have questions? The “Can I Bring?” tool on the My TSA mobile app and website allows users to type the name of anything they wish to bring — snakes, golf clubs, handcuffs — and find out if it’s allowed on board. Of course, the final decision always rests with the TSA.

3. Can you solve travel emergencies with a few finger taps? If you own a smartphone, a few basic (and free) apps are worth having including Seat Alerts by ExpertFlyer (to help you change seats or find one on a different flight), Hotel Tonight (for last-minute room reservations) and a taxi or car service app. Those traveling abroad should also have contact information for the nearest U.S. Embassy, available at usembassy.gov.

4. Can you get into the lounge? There are several ways to get lounge access. You can book an international business- or first-class ticket. Some domestic business- and first-class fares and routes are also eligible (like some trips between New York and Los Angeles). Or you can buy a lounge day pass (usually about $50), the best option for infrequent travelers. (With elite status, membership is often discounted.)

Another method: Apply for a co-branded credit card, like the $395-a-year Chase United MileagePlus Club card, that comes with free or discounted lounge access. Other credit cards, like the $450-a-year American Express Platinum card, get you into lounges from multiple airlines.

5. Are you using the right credit card? To determine which card is best for you, review the travel benefits and ask yourself if you’ll truly use them. One card in my wallet is the Starwood Preferred Guest card from American Express ($65 a year) because I like Starwood properties, and shopping with the card earns me Starpoints, which I can use for stays at more than 1,000 hotels and resorts. Or, I can redeem my points for free flights on more than 350 airlines. For a solid rundown of other card options, click on “Advice: credit cards” on the View From the Wing blog on Boardingarea.com.

If you’re traveling abroad, you will also want a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and, if possible, smart-chip technology, rare on American cards. The points blogger Brian Kelly lists cards such as Chase Sapphire Preferred without foreign transaction fees and those including BankAmericard Travel Rewards Visa with smart chips at Thepointsguy.com.