Holiday Travel Tips: Navigating Busiest Travel Season with Expert Katy Nastro

Holiday Travel Forecast

• ✈️ AAA projects over 122 million Americans will travel between now and January 1st, a more than 2% increase from 2024.
• 📅 Despite a Thanksgiving travel shutdown, the Sunday after Thanksgiving was a record-breaking travel day.
• 🚗 December 20th is anticipated to be the busiest day for car rental pickups.

Airfare and Travel Accessibility

• 💰 While holiday airfare is up, the average price of airfare, adjusted for inflation, is among the most affordable in decades.
• 🌍 Travel is generally more accessible, though economic uncertainty may lead some to reduce major trips in 2025-2026.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Despite economic concerns, people continue to prioritize spending time with family and friends during the holidays.

Tips for Smoother Travel

• 🚗 For car rentals, consider off-airport pickup locations to avoid airport crowds and lines.
• 🛂 Ensure you have the necessary identification, such as a Real ID, passport, or passport card, for air travel.
• ✈️ Have a fallback flight option in mind to quickly rebook in case of weather disruptions or flight changes.
• 💨 The key to managing travel disruptions is speed in making necessary adjustments.