Travel
Traveling on Labor Day Weekend? Have a contingency plan for cancellations or delays, and be patient
Many kids across the U.S. are back at school and the times are getting shorter, but there’s yet another opportunity to don your swimsuits and beach towels before packing them away: Labor Day.
Airports, highways, beaches and amusement parks are expected to be crowded over the long holiday weekend as many Americans rejoice the unofficial end of summer the identical way they celebrated the unofficial start of the season: by traveling.
The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen greater than 17 million people between Thursday and next Wednesday — a record for the Labor Day holiday.
AAA says domestic travel bookings over the vacation weekend were up 9% 12 months over 12 months, while international travel bookings were down 4%.
American Airlines plans to host its biggest Labor Day weekend ever and expects a 14 percent increase in passengers over last 12 months.
If you are heading out to benefit from the last moments of summer, here’s a list of every thing it is advisable to know.
What are the costs?
Drivers are getting a break on gas in comparison with last 12 months. The national average was recently $3.44 a gallon, down from $3.86 a 12 months ago, in response to AAA.
For electric vehicles, the typical price per kilowatt of power at a industrial L2 charging station is about 34 cents. The average is below 25 cents in Kansas and Missouri, but exceeds 40 cents in several states, including New Hampshire, Tennessee and Kentucky. Hawaii is the most costly, at 56 cents.
Average airfares in July fell 7.1% from June and 2.8% from July 2023, in response to the federal government’s consumer price index. That trend appears to be accelerating as the height holiday season draws to a close.
“We’re now entering the traditional fall season, when demand drops, and that’s reflected in airfares,” said Steve Hafner, CEO of travel metasearch site Kayak. “Airfares are already down about 26% compared to the summer, and even down about 4% compared to last fall.”
When is the most effective time to hit the road?
If you plan to start out driving on the Thursday or Friday before Labor Day, you’ll be sharing the road with commuters. You will probably want to leave before the morning rush hour or even within the evening to avoid traffic.
Transport data provider INRIX says the worst time to drive on Thursday is between 1pm and 7.30pm, and on Friday between 2pm and 6pm. The situation changes on Saturday, when it’s best to avoid driving between 8am and 11am.
According to INRIX, the return journey will be strenuous all day long on Monday — from 11:00 a.m. to eight:00 p.m.
Beware of dangerous drivers. New data from Arity, a part of insurance giant Allstate, shows that speeding above 80 mph is up 83%, and “very high speed” — above 100 mph — is up greater than 50%.
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In a surprising twist, though, Arity claims that distracted driving has actually declined over the past three Labor Days.
When will airports be busiest?
Friday, in response to the TSA. The agency expects to go looking 2.86 million people who day. While impressive, that number wouldn’t even rank in the highest 15 days in TSA history. The single-day record of three.01 million was set July 7, the Sunday after Independence Day.
TSA says it has enough screeners to maintain wait times in regular lines to half-hour or less and not more than 10 minutes in PreCheck lines.
American Airlines says Thursdays and Fridays will be its busiest days, with 6,400 flights per day; the subsequent day is Labor Day itself, when the carrier has 6,300 flights scheduled.
What should I do if my flight is delayed or canceled?
First, check your travel plans before heading to the airport. It’s higher to be stuck at home than stuck on the airport.
If your flight is canceled, the airline may routinely rebook you. This may not be the most effective option.
“Call (the airline’s help center), talk to an agent, reach out to the airline on social media if you have to, but find out what other options there are,” says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path, a browser extension that lets users compare prices with frequent flyer points. “You can almost always find another option that might work better than the one the airline is offering.”
Kheel said agents on the airport have more leeway to assist, but they may be swamped if there are a lot of canceled flights. Rebooking on your individual on the airline’s website or app can be faster, he said.
Calling Tip: Some experts say that in case your airline has international helpline numbers, you need to call one in all those numbers. This will connect you quicker than for those who were calling from the U.S.
What about returns and refunds?
Airlines are required to refund money — including fees — to passengers whose flights are canceled for any reason. They aren’t required to pay money compensation, nonetheless, and no major U.S. airline does so. Only Alaska, Southwest and JetBlue even promise travel vouchers if the cancellation is their fault.
If you’re stranded overnight, ask your airline about covering hotel, meals and ground transportation. All major U.S. airlines except Frontier promise to assist with all three forms of “managed” disruptions, in response to the Department of Transportation’s dashboard of airline policies. But those commitments don’t apply to weather-related cancellations.
Keep receipts for all expenses incurred in case it is advisable to make a claim later.
Some final suggestions
— Leave early. Everything will take longer than you expect, including getting through airport security. If you plan to park on the airport, be certain there are spaces available while you arrive—many airports now publish this information online.
— Watch the weather. Even if the skies are clear at home, there could be storms at your flight destination or along your route. Prepare a backup route.
— Be nice. Flight cancellations and bumper-to-bumper traffic are frustrating, but you won’t be the just one stuck. Customer service agents are busy during peak travel periods, so it’s vital to be patient and respectful as they struggle to make it easier to.
Travel
Why a fall beach trip was just the reset I needed
The beach is my comfortable place. Something about the smell of the salty water floating in the breeze, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, and the warmth of the sun on my skin just melts my stress away. And searching at the vast horizon stops me from every part else occurring in the world, giving me time to reflect and shift my perspective that offers me clarity and focus.
Since I live in New York, the end of summer normally means the end of the beach – at the very least until mid-winter, when I’ll inevitably hop on a plane to a sandy tropical destination with the remainder of the sun-seekers . But this 12 months I decided to try something different: a fall beach trip.
I took advantage of the warmer than usual weather in the Northeast and planned a weekend trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey for one last likelihood to be a beach bum, courtesy of Ocean casino resort.
Here are three the explanation why fall is the perfect time to go to the beach:
1. To stave off the seasonal blues
As soon as Labor Day weekend involves an end, I begin to dread the impending reality of sunsets getting earlier and earlier. That first day while you leave the office and it’s already dark outside is at all times a shock for me. And for people affected by seasonal affective disorder, the change of seasons is even tougher.
A trip to the beach is the antidote to shorter, gray days. You could also be wrapped in a sweater as a substitute of wearing a bikini, but the extra vitamin D is real. Even when I stayed in the room, not only did I have amazing views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but I had hours of fantastic sunlight.
Planning a time change escape is one other smart travel move since it gives you something to sit up for quite than “rolling back.” In addition to the casino, Ocean Resort after all offers a variety of bars and restaurants, HQ2 nightclub, Topgolf Swing Suite and the best live entertainment venue, Ovation Hall, which hosted Lenny Kravitz the weekend I was there. How are you able to be indignant while you spend the last hours of summer singing together with Lenny?
2. To prepare for a productive fourth quarter
Have you heard of the “winter bow”? The TikTok trend could also be recent, but the idea behind it shouldn’t be. It’s a strategy to commit to self-improvement during the colder months by specializing in recent, healthier activities. It’s also a strategy to kickstart your “new year, new you” resolutions because, despite the frosty name, it normally starts in October. A fall trip to the beach may be the perfect begin to your winter fun, because it’s the perfect place to read, journal, and meditate. If physical well-being is a priority for you, you’ll be able to visit the recently renovated MUSSELS fitness center at Ocean, with a yoga area and Peloton offerings.
Even should you don’t intentionally work in your winter glow, research has shown a link between travel and mindfulness, creativity and private growth. Fall has traditionally been a time of reflection, change and rediscovery, so it’s the perfect time to flee.
Increasing your activity can enable you to achieve your Q4 goals upon your return.
3. To enjoy the peace before the summer storm
Before you recognize it, your calendar – and to-do list – will probably be stuffed with holiday shopping, travel, hosting and parties. It could also be the most wonderful time of the 12 months, however it’s probably the most hectic. Spending time with just myself and the ocean helped me feel able to face the difficult months ahead. And while dipping your toes in the icy waters of the Atlantic wasn’t an option, if water is what you discover soothing, Ocean Casino Resort has a year-round indoor/outdoor pool overlooking the coast, and a whirlpool and jacuzzi at the award-winning Exhale Spa + Bathhouse.
On the other hand, should you began watching Christmas movies in July and may’t wait for the season to begin, the end of fall is a great time to experience the magical touches that many hotels offer. Ocean Casino Resort transforms into a seaside winter wonderland with 30 holiday-themed rooms and suites, complete with Christmas trees; festive Jingle Bell Bar and pop-up Christmas marketplace for adults; and an adventure at Santa’s Hideout if you desire to make your trip to the beach a family affair.
Travel
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy amid surge in holiday travel
Spirit Airlines, recognized for influencing cost-effective travel and reworking the market, has filed for bankruptcy protection amid consecutive years of losses, a failed merger, growing competition and changing customer demands.
This week, the airline announced that an “orderly” petition has been filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York as a part of a “restructuring support agreement” as a part of the statement. Spirit says that while the corporate is working to restructure its debt, it should proceed operations through the holiday season and into 2025.
“Spirit expects to continue its operations in the normal course throughout the planned and streamlined Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) process,” the airline said in an announcement. “Guests can continue to book and fly without interruption and use all tickets, points and loyalty points as normal.”
Additionally, the brand new filing won’t impact worker salaries and advantages.
While this term may sound scary, Spirit isn’t the one US airline to declare bankruptcy. Major competitors corresponding to American Airlines, United and Delta Airlines have filed for bankruptcy over the past 25 years. Just as other carriers have emerged stronger since filing for bankruptcy, Spirit President and CEO Ted Christie hopes to do the identical. The airline’s CEO asserts that restocking the airline and negotiating with creditors will allow Spirit to enter the brand new yr with less debt and greater financial flexibility, which can position “Spirit for long-term success and accelerate investment, providing guests with a better travel experience and greater value.” .
In open letter to Spirit gueststhe corporate assured travelers of what was to come back.
“We’re still flying, so no need for FOMO! You can continue to rely on Spirit for great quality and excellent service,” the airline wrote on Xwith a link to the open letter that read: “The most important thing to know is that you (customers) can continue to book and fly now and in the future. We also want to assure you that you can use all tickets, credits and loyalty points as normal. You can continue to take advantage of our Free Spirit loyalty program, Saver$ Club bonuses and credit card terms and conditions. Our amazing team members are here to offer you excellent service and an exceptional experience. We expect to complete this process in the first quarter of 2025 and be even better positioned to deliver the best value in the sky.”
Travel
Green Book Global launches road trip planner to provide inclusive options for Black travelers
Building on the success of the primary and only Black travel booking and review platform, Green Book Global is expanding its services with the brand new Road Trip Planner app feature.
WITH Global Green Paper already recognized as a contemporary interactive guide for black travelers, the corporate has now added a feature to help plan safer and more enjoyable trips across the US. Launched on a redesigned mobile app (available on iOS and Android) and accessible via an internet app, this recent Road Trip Planner tool is powered by community insights and data.
“Our mission has always been to provide Black travelers with information that fosters a safer and more inclusive travel environment,” Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global, he said . “With Road Trip Planner, we turn our community’s collective experience into a robust tool that maps the most effective routes and areas to avoid based on historical and up to date data.
“It’s greater than only a planning tool. This is a brand new level of safety for our community,” he added.
Named after , which provided travel suggestions for African Americans traveling in Jim Crow America from 1936 to 1966, Green Book Global is a contemporary app and interactive guide designed to help Black travelers within the twenty first century. Using hundreds of reviews generated by Black users, the app will help users plan safer trips by identifying optimal routes and avoiding areas known to be inhospitable or potentially dangerous.
“Our goal is to provide information so that Black travelers can make a very personal decision about where they want to go,” Phillips said.
According to Green Book Global, the friendliest U.S. destinations for black travelers include Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore, Washington, Charlotte and Chicago. The platform also offers a world destination search tool, with recommendations for various destinations similar to Kenya, Slovenia and Argentina.
Phillips points out that the brand new Planner tool allows drivers to select the “Avoid City” option to avoid cities at sunset and robotically re-route them.
“Our community rates cities on a five-star scale for traveling as a black person, and cities receive an overall rating,” he explains. “Green means the safest and friendliest destination, yellow means average and red means needs improvement. The color red signifies a city where black travelers generally didn’t feel protected or welcome, and should even signify a former sunset city.
The study also revealed some unexpected findings about cities which may be predominantly white but have small but powerful black populations.
“Portland, Maine was a big surprise,” Phillips says. “Although Maine is one of the whitest states in America, with a Black population of almost 2%, the city of Portland is almost 10% Black. It was amazing. Delicious food, lots of attractions and a nice atmosphere.”
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