Holiday Travel: Strategies for getting where you want to be

(CNN) — More than 2,300 flights were canceled on Thursday and Friday as holidaymakers tried to get to their destinations.

U.S. Airline travelers made the most of the favorable weather conditions during the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving holidays. But for Christmas, we are in for a different story.

“Our luck may have finally run out,” Scott Keyes, founder of discount travel site Scott’s Cheap Flights, told CNN this week.

Yes, it certainly seems that way to many travelers.

Arctic blasts and “bomb storms” that the National Weather Service is calling a “once-in-a-generation event” are bringing deadly cold, possible snowstorms and the proverbial coal that is knocking the socks off the trip. And it all coincides with the travel season returning to busy, pre-pandemic levels.

AAA, the auto and travel membership club, expects about 113 million people to travel during the year-end holiday season. Most of these travelers — about 102 million Americans — are expected to drive.

The number of travelers expected to fly — 7.2 million — is just shy of 2019’s 7.3 million. And when airlines realize they’re operating fewer flights with more overcrowding, serious problems can arise for air travelers.

Mother Nature has the final say. “There is no safety protocol or preparation that airlines can take to make it safe to land or take off in a snowstorm,” Keyes said.

Plus dangerous road conditions and temperatures for millions more travelers.

How to deal with it? Here are some strategies:

Air travel strategies

• Use airlines’ travel cancellations to leave early or adjust travel schedules.

Here are links to major airlines’ cancellations for penalty-free rebooking within a short window.

If your flight is canceled, consider flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, says Kathleen Bangs, a former airline pilot and spokeswoman for FlightAware. When there are fewer flights, there are fewer passengers.

“Planning the first flight of the day is a great way to avoid flight delays,” Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, told CNN Travel in a recent email. “Studies show that the first flights of the day are more likely to leave on time.”

• Get travel gear in order.

The FlalyAware app and airline apps deliver alerts directly to your phone.

• Be prepared for multiple tasks if your flight is delayed or canceled.

Position yourself next to the agents’ table, Keyes previously suggested to CNN Travel readers. And call while you’re online to increase your chances of getting a quick resolution.

Keyes advises calling the airline’s international offices instead of using their domestic lines to compare results with other passengers.

It also encourages travelers to inquire about mutual agreements between airlines. Your airline may put you on another carrier to get you to your destination.

• Know your rights and be prepared to negotiate.

With many flights oversold, airlines are looking for volunteers to give up their seats and take later flights, Keyes said. If you have flexibility in your plans, you can negotiate for better compensation.

Airlines may begin offering $250 or $300 in travel credits to passengers who want to give up their seats. “You don’t need to take the first offer. Expect those offers to continue to increase,” Keyes said. In many cases, passengers can get a credit of $1,000 or more, he said.

• Check your credit card’s travel protection.

Many credit cards offer reimbursement for expenses such as hotel fees if you lose contact or lose your wallet, Keyes said. “But only if you use that credit card to purchase your flight,” Keyes said.

• Leave plenty of time. “The number one thing, and I can’t stress this enough, is that you have to get to the airport early before you fly,” said Gautam Thakkar, CEO of Unifi Aviation, the largest aviation service provider in the United States. “If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or packages to check, for example, arriving two hours early might not cut it.”

• Pack light. “The best way to ensure that all bags arrive safely at a traveler’s destination is to not check a bag. Packing and packing light is a great way to save money and have the peace of mind that your luggage will arrive with you at your destination,” said Klee.

Safety tips for road trips

When traveling by car in the winter, it is important to be prepared.

Service your vehicle Usually as recommended by the manufacturer and Do the followingThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:

• Service the radiator system Or Check the level of antifreeze with an anti-freeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.

• Replace windshield washer fluid with a winter-friendly mixture (which contains additives to prevent freezing).

• Make sure the tires have enough tread and air pressure, which you can measure with a tire gauge. Replace worn tires and inflate low tires to the recommended pressure for your car.

• Keep the gas tank full to help remove ice from the tank and fuel lines.

• Keep your car in proper working order. Checking the heater, coolant, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil and battery.

Pack what you need in case of an emergency. as a –

• Non-perishable, high energy foods Like nuts, granola bars, dried fruit or beef jerky

• Bottled water (Using a covered bottle helps prevent frostbite.)

• first aid kit including adhesive bandages, medical tape, antiseptic, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap and a pocket knife

• Clothing to keep warm — Hats, socks, coats, arm and leg warmers, gloves, scarves and blankets

• Battery operated flashlight, extra batteries and flashlights

• Jumper cables, booster cables with full battery Or an external charger to jumpstart your car if the battery dies

• Basic tool set

• Rubber or traction chains

• Glass scraper to clean windows

A few silver linings for air travelers

The next few days look hectic, but there are a few things going for air travelers this week.

Bangs noted that US carriers are more fully staffed at this time than last year, despite a loss in experience.

Industry group Airlines for America said in a recent media release that the industry is adding about 4,600 workers per month. Airlines have been able to improve performance by increasing hiring, reducing capacity and building in reserves and reserves, the agency said.

And while the flu, RSV and Covid are proving to be a respiratory triple threat, Omicron’s Vivid strain doesn’t appear to be causing the same problems for workers that it did around Christmas last year, Bangs said.

Finally, the timing of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day can help.

“The extended travel period this year is because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday,” said Paula Twidall, AAA’s senior vice president of travel, in a statement.

“With hybrid work schedules, we’re seeing more people taking more weekends off to travel because they can work remotely at their destination and have more flexibility in their departure and return dates.”

With a longer calendar to play with, passengers will have more options when looking for new flights. And with the winter weather the United States is experiencing, this flexibility could be especially important this holiday season.

CNN’s Christine Rogers contributed to this report.
Top Image: Crews process an Alaska Airlines plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Much of the rest of the United States will see severe weather in the coming days.