AAA spokesperson offers Thanksgiving travel tips
AAA spokesperson Aisha Diaz spoke with USA TODAY and offered tips for travelers ahead of what will likely be the busiest Thanksgiving travel weekend ever.
- A storm is expected to hit the country, impacting Thanksgiving travel with rain, snow and fog.
- Travelers driving by car are advised to be flexible, check the weather forecast for the entire route and reduce speed in case of inclement weather.
- If a flight is canceled due to weather, passengers are entitled to a refund but are not entitled to any additional compensation.
Nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel domestically for Thanksgiving, a record high, according to AAA, but some will have a harder time than others as storms sweep across the country ahead of the holiday.
“Everything seems to be spreading out a little bit for everyone,” Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather’s senior meteorologist and chief long-range forecaster, told USA TODAY. “There will be problems at different times across the country.”
Here’s what travelers need to know before heading out for Thanksgiving.
thanksgiving travel forecast
Problems are expected to begin on Monday, Nov. 24, with Pastelok saying a storm from Southern California will inundate central Texas with heavy rain, potentially leading to flooding.
It is expected to move into the Tennessee and Ohio valleys on Tuesday, bringing water and fog that could affect flights.
“The same system will reach the east on Wednesday, so big cities like New York City and Washington, D.C., will arrive,” he said. “It might not be that heavy, but it might be enough to reduce visibility. That could result in a lot of traffic and more backups.”
He said the northern part of the system could bring snow to parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest from Tuesday into Wednesday, leading to reduced visibility and icy roads.
What should drivers do in case of bad weather?
“IIf the weather looks like it’s going to get bad, don’t drive. “Don’t overdo it. You have control. You can decide to delay your departure by an hour or two,” said Aisha Diaz, a spokeswoman for AAA. I’ll probably leave the day before. ”
She recommends travelers check the weather forecast for their entire route before setting out.
“You have to be flexible, especially if you drive,” she said. “You obviously don’t have that flexibility when you’re on a plane.”
Drivers should use caution when driving in bad weather.
“People sometimes feel like, ‘Oh, I know how to drive in the snow, I know how to drive in ice, or I know how to drive in the rain,’ and they drive too fast. And speed is like the root cause of so many bad things that happen on the road,” Diaz warned. “Please just slow down.”
road trip tips
She shared some other tried-and-true road trip tips for any weather.
“Of course, check your car. When was the last time you checked your tire pressure? When was the last time you checked your battery and topped up your fluids?” she asked. “That’s the first.”
She advises travelers to plan ahead, pack early and stay organized. This includes packing an emergency kit with essentials like water, nonperishable food, extra blankets, wet wipes, first aid supplies, and flashlights, as well as things like big backups to keep everyone comfortable in the car if you’re stuck inside for longer than expected.
“During the Thanksgiving holiday last year, AAA responded to approximately 600,000 roadside assistance calls in just that seven-day period,” Diaz said, noting that some problems, such as running out of gas, were avoidable. “Fill up your tank the night before so you don’t have to worry about going to the gas station in the morning and get some rest.”
During your drive, we recommend changing drivers every few hours if possible. Even if that’s not possible, take a break and refresh yourself at least every two hours.
What happens if my flight is canceled or delayed?
Travelers whose flights are canceled for any reason, regardless of ticket type, are entitled to a full refund if they choose to cancel their flight. If you choose to continue with your trip, you have the right to rebook without penalty.
If the cancellation is within the airline’s control, you may be entitled to additional compensation, such as a meal voucher or hotel stay, depending on the circumstances and airline. However, if the cancellation is outside of the airline’s control, the airline will not receive any additional benefits. Weather is outside the airline’s control.
Similarly, if a flight is significantly delayed for reasons within the airline’s control, travelers may be entitled to compensation, but for cases outside of the airline’s control, such as weather, there is no additional obligation to pay.
Airline-specific details can be found on the Department of Transportation’s Consumer Dashboard.
