Hitting the road for Thanksgiving? It looks like holiday travel is bouncing back this year.
AAA says more Californians will drive than fly but airports will still be packed. Fares are down 4% this year, so tickets are pretty much sold out, but there are ways for you to find deals.
Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, is one of the busiest travel days of the year.
If you haven’t booked your Thanksgiving flight yet, it’s going to be expensive. Travel agent Denise Donathan said, “If you were going to fly from Fresno this week, it'd be easily over $500."
AAA says air fares are down by 4% but less people are flying. Added surcharges, fees and reduced capacity and routes have contributed to the decline in air travel. Donathan said, "Airlines have cut back and cut back and cut back on frequency of flights, the size of the aircraft even, so fewer flights -- fewer seats."
AAA expects 3 million Californians will drive to be with relatives this Thanksgiving weekend instead of flying. That’s a 9% increase from last year.
Jose Plascencia with AAA said, "Overall, consumers feel like the global economic crisis is now behind us."
Weather you drive of fly; there are deals to snag once you get there. AAA says car rental rates have fallen about 3% and Donathan says you can also find some deals on hotels.
AAA say a family of four can save more than $800 dollars this four day weekend by staying with family and friends. That seems to be the best deal this holiday season.
If you are flying, airport officials say you should arrive at least 2 hours before departure and remember, you must be checked in at least a half hour before your planes leaves to be allowed on the plane.
