BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) -If you're planning a trip this summer, you definitely won't be alone. AAA says it's expecting a particularly busy summer season this year that could even break records.
“People are willing to travel, you know? I think that's still part of the result of coming out of COVID and people being really ready to get back out there and be with family and friends and make memories,” says Kara Hitchens , head of public affairs for AAA.
Hitchens said he expects an uptick in travel with the unofficial start of summer, Memorial Day, and with other holidays: July 4 and Labor Day. She also expects the July to August period to be one of the busiest times.
This can create challenges for those planning to rent a hotel or car, so plan ahead. If your trip includes air travel, you may want to plan for unforeseen delays by adding some flexibility to your schedule.
“…I think it was a few summers ago, there were a lot of cancellations and a lot of delays…if you have your flight schedule for one, if you booked it consecutively, and it there's very little room for a layover, you know, if a flight is delayed and, you know, there's no room for a layover, you're probably going to miss the next flight, so build in a little cushion space in there and be ready for adjustments,” says Hitchens.
Hitchens recommends downloading your airline's official app to stay informed about delays and cancellations. But if your travels take you out of the country, you may want to take a few extra precautions.
“…we always remind people, if you're traveling internationally specifically, to check the State Department website for any areas of the world that might be of interest to the State Department, and we tell people people to make sure that you record your travel so that if something happens in another country, the State Department knows that you are in that country and can be contacted and exported safely,” says Hitchens.
You should also consider getting a REAL ID. While this may not be necessary for flights until next year, she says doing it early will avoid any delays due to the risk of backlogs as demand increases for people who will wait until the last minute.
Hitchens also recommends involving the entire vacation group in planning to ensure everyone has a good time.
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