Fasten your seat belt and avoid crowds.
As the long weekend approaches, the countdown begins for Memorial Day barbecues, picnics, fireworks, and family fun. For many, that means it’s time to hit the road or hop on a plane. With the holiday weekend coming up, there are plenty of things to consider to make your Memorial Day travel smooth and hassle-free.
About 43.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles around Memorial Day, according to AAA, up 4 percent from last year and the highest figure since 2005.
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“We haven’t seen this many travelers over Memorial Day weekend in almost 20 years,” said Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel. “We’re projecting 1 million more travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019. Not only is this above pre-pandemic levels, but it also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead.”
For United Airlines, Memorial Day weekend will be its busiest weekend ever, with more than 3 million passengers flying between May 23 and 28. “This will be the largest Memorial Day and summer travel season in United’s 98-year history,” said Andrew Nocera, United’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
With that in mind, keep these tips in mind when planning your Memorial Day trip.
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Conquer the airport
According to AAA, an estimated 3.51 million people will fly during the Memorial Day travel period, and the TSA predicts Friday, May 24, will be its busiest travel day, with the agency planning to screen more than 18 million passengers and crew members between May 23-29, a 6.4% increase from last year.
The TSA shared several tips with passengers, including encouraging them to bring identification, considering TSA PreCheck and allowing plenty of time at the airport.
“Working closely with airports, airlines and travel partners, we are well prepared to handle increased travel volumes this summer,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said.
United Airlines encourages travelers to download the app to benefit from features like mobile check-in, baggage-check shortcuts, terminal navigation, and seize the opportunity to pool miles between groups with MileagePlus.
To make the most of your day, try to book the first flight of the day or a direct flight, and of course, take advantage of airport lounges and frequent flyer programs to get the best experience possible.
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Reinventing the Road Trip
If you’re heading out to the highway, know that many others are doing the same: According to AAA, 87.6% of people are traveling this Memorial Day. That’s about 38.4 million people on the roads, the highest number since AAA began tracking in 2000.
Opting for a road trip brings convenience and flexibility to your trip. There’s nothing more enjoyable than a long drive. However, traffic jams are common. To avoid them, INRIX recommends leaving before 11 a.m. on Thursday or Friday. Throughout your trip, try to avoid the daytime crowds by heading out in the early morning or evening.
“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal,” said Bob Pichoux, transportation analyst at INRIX. “Travelers should stay up to date with transportation apps, 511 services and local news stations to avoid spending more time in traffic than necessary.”
If you’re renting a car, keep in mind that according to Hertz, the busiest pick-up days, especially in cities like Denver and Las Vegas, are Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24. Please drive safely.
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Check the coverage details
No matter how much you prepare in advance, sometimes things can go awry. With around 20% of flights being delayed each year, travel insurance can help protect you from unexpected setbacks if the worst happens.
Travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth recommends getting insurance with flexible delay cover. Another thing to keep in mind is knowing what’s covered and what’s not. Research the policy in detail so you know what to expect.
Travel insurance often comes with trip delay coverage, which covers unexpected expenses like meals and hotels. Trip delay coverage can include airline issues like weather or mechanical breakdowns, as well as supplier issues like delays due to disruption or overbooking. But be careful: your travel insurance won’t cover you if you miss your flight because of traffic jams or long security lines.
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Plan your future trip now
You probably already have your Memorial Day travel dates planned, but now is the perfect time to start preparing for the rest of the summer.
According to Expedia, Fridays are the busiest days during the summer and Tuesdays are the best day to travel, so plan ahead to save yourself some stress and money. Expedia also found that travelers who booked summer flights 21 to 60 days in advance saved about 15%. The peak of Memorial Day travel discounts has passed, but there’s still plenty of savings and summer fun left.
