6 Tips to Prepare for Holiday Travel
Here's how to get your car ready before you hit the road and ways to save while you drive Thanksgiving weekend. Plus, what air travelers need to know if their flight is delayed or canceled.
The busiest travel days of the year are expected to be even busier this year. AAA expects 42.5 million Americans -- a 4% increase over last year -- to travel during Thanksgiving weekend, November 23 to November 27.
Most holiday travelers (nearly 90%) will drive to their Thanksgiving destination of choice. But that doesn't mean airports won't be crowded this weekend. Despite higher fares and capacity cuts, the number of people flying is expected to increase 1.8% to 3.4 million.
Regardless of your mode of transportation this weekend, it pays to be prepared before you hit the road or take to the skies. Here are tips for both auto and air travelers:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Auto travelers
1. Give your car a checkup. Before you hit the road, make sure your vehicle is prepared for the trip with these nine winter car maintenance tips.
2. Stock up on emergency items. Whether it's car trouble or bad weather, you don't want to be stranded on the side of the road without the proper gear. From a first-aid kit to flares, make sure your vehicle is stocked with these 10 must-haves for holiday travel.
3. Download free travel apps. You can save time and money by downloading mobile applications. For example, you can use your smart phone to comparison shop for the lowest gas prices in your zip code with a free app such as GasBuddy. Here are more free travel apps you should consider downloading.
Air travelers
1. Know your new rights. Several new protections for air travelers kicked in this summer, including a rule that requires increased compensation for passengers who are bumped from oversold flights. To learn more, see New Protections for Air Travelers in Effect.
2. Know how to deal with travel disruptions. If bad weather disrupts your travel plans this weekend, you need to know what steps to take to get on the next available flight or get a hotel room if you're going to be stranded overnight. For tips, see How to Deal With Travel Disruptions and What to Do if You're Stranded While Traveling.
3. Know how to get airlines to respond to your complaints. If you're unhappy with the way an airline is treating you, you might have more luck getting your problem resolved by using Twitter. You probably can type a complaint in 140 characters or less (the Twitter limit) faster than you can get through to an airline's customer service representative. And with more than 180 airlines tweeting (see AirlinesonTwitter.com), chances are good that an airline representative will see your complaint.
-
I'm 73 and dread winter, but I can't afford to be a snowbird.How can a snowbird wannabe warm up without the expense? We asked professional wealth planners for advice.
-
5 Smart Things to Do With Your Year-End BonusAfter you indulge your urge to splurge on a treat, consider doing adult things with the extra cash, like paying down debt, but also setting up a "fun fund."
-
Gen X Investors: Protect Your Portfolio From an AI BubbleAmid talk of an AI bubble, what's the best course of action for investors in their 50s and 60s, whose retirement savings are at risk from major market declines?
-
Why It's Worth Booking a Winter VacationTravel Smart In the early months of the year, travel demand dips — and so do prices.
-
5 Ways to Save on a Trip to the 2026 Olympics in ItalyA guide to going to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics without breaking the bank.
-
The Best (and Worst) Airlines for Flight Delays and CancellationsWhich airlines should you book and which should you avoid if you want to make it to your destination on time?
-
Four Luxury Spa Resorts for Well-Heeled TravelersWe hand-picked these U.S. luxury spa resorts for their serenity, amenities and dedication to the comfort of older travelers.
-
Child-Free Cruises Perfect For Your Retirement CelebrationHow to find a bespoke ocean or river vacation for adults. Many of these options are smaller, charming river cruises, expeditions, or niche experiences.
-
Noctourism: The New Travel Trend For Your Next Trip"Noctourism" is a new trend of building travel and vacations around events and plans that take place at night. Take a look at some inspiring noctourism ideas.
-
My Husband and I Retired at 67 With $3.2 Million, But He's Frugal About Travel. How Can I Convince Him to Loosen Up?We asked financial planning experts for advice.
-
Cruise Lines Sue to Block Hawaii’s New Climate Tourism TaxState Tax Your vacation to the Aloha State could come at a higher price tag next year. Here’s why.
