Page 18 - AAA Now! – AAA Central Penn – September/October 2021

TRAVEL
Planning an
Upcoming Trip?
Be Prepared for a Different Travel Experience
Over a year has transpired since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted travel plans worldwide. The promise of being free from rigorous quarantine requirements and mask wearing restrictions brings with it the opportunity to once again get out and explore. While travel opportunities can still be rewarding, AAA travel experts advise travel protocols continue to change, and if you choose to travel, you should be prepared for a different travel experience.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin to travel again:
• Destinations and attractions have made changes
and may not be offering the same services that you experienced on a prior visit. To eliminate disappointment during the trip, contact establishments in advance and make inquiries about service availability.
• Successful travel requires a flexible approach and attitude. Long wait times and reduced service offerings have become a common practice in the wake of the pandemic. The travel and tourism industry reduced costs via staffing cuts, as business was in the declined pandemic state. Now, many have made the decision not to return to the work force, or are still searching for their next career opportunity, thereby creating a staffing shortage. This labor shortage is global and is expected to impact travel for the foreseeable future. As a result, you may encounter the following:
• Some hotels are not offering daily maid service – cleaning only available prior to check-in and after you check out. Clean linens and towels are usually available from the front desk if you request them.
• Reduced resort activity options – take into consideration that the resort golf course may not have had routine grounds maintenance for the last 18 months, and may not be in the best shape, or that the children’s program you love so much may not be operating on a daily basis.
• Closed restaurants, reduced hours/menus, and in some destinations, only take-out options. Advance reservations are recommended.
• Reduced in-flight services – no beverage or snack options available.
• Long wait times in airport lines, particularly for security, immigration, and customs.
• Long wait times for ground transfers and reduced options for rental cars – fleets of vehicles were sold off during the pandemic, and now there are not enough vehicles available.
• While there are fantastic travel deals available, you need to know where and how to find them (see your AAA
travel agent for assistance with this). Prices have increased as a result of the pandemic, so be prepared that costs for
all travel components may be higher than you would have imagined. If possible, add extra to your travel budget to eliminate the economic stress during your vacation.
• Going abroad? Register your trip in the SMART Traveler program to allow the State Department to better assist you in the event of an emergency.
At AAA, we know that proper trip planning and preparation have always been the great differentiator, and that having a great travel agent can be the most important factor to ensure you have a dream vacation and not a travel nightmare. Post pandemic this is even more important. Keep in mind your AAA travel agent serves as your advocate, before, during and after a trip, and beyond assisting you with reservations, they can answer questions related to:
• Destination specific travel restrictions, testing and quarantine requirements
• Availability of destinations, attractions and services
• What to do if you need to make last-minute changes
to a trip
• Travel insurance options
To ensure your next vacation is a dream vacation, use your member benefit, and contact one of our travel experts today.
18 I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021