Secrets for surviving a record summer for travel
I'm giving away free copies of The Unauthorized Travel Manual — plus a 30 percent discount on a subscription!
It’s official: It’s going to be a busy summer for travel. Maybe the busiest ever.
AAA predicts a record 45.1 million people will travel this Memorial Day holiday, up 3.4 percent from last year. The previous high-water mark was set back in 2005 with 44 million people.
How do you survive the roads, rail terminals, and airports when things start getting a little crazy?
In just a minute, I’ll share a few summer survival strategies you won’t find anywhere else.
But the biggest tip is to take advantage of this week’s special offer. We have a rare 30 percent discount on an Elliott Confidential subscription, PLUS we’re giving away my new book, The Unauthorized Travel Manual, to every new subscriber. (Details below my signature.)
How busy is it going to get?
AAA predicts a record number of Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period from May 22 to May 26. This year’s domestic travel forecast is an increase of 1.4 million travelers compared to last year.
That’s surprising, considering that many Americans threatened to pull back on travel at the beginning of the year, fearful of a shrinking economy and a hostile reception abroad. Those misgivings appear to have given way to our desire to get out and experience the world.
You can get a leg up on the summer travel season as a subscriber to Elliott Confidential. It’s 30 percent off this week. You’ll also get a free copy of my latest book.
How to survive the travel chaos
Some of the travel strategies are obvious. They include planning around the big holidays (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day), waiting until the end of the summer to take a vacation or choosing a destination where few Americans go. But every travel expert will give you that advice.
Instead, let me offer a few insider strategies.
It isn’t the date, it’s the time of day. Most Memorial Day trips happen by car, and experts will advise you to avoid the day before and after the holiday if you’re driving. That’s nonsense. You can still drive on those days; just don’t get on the road when everyone else is there. It’s worth waking up extra early to drive to your destination. That’s what all the travel experts do, and it really works.
Stay within the 50-mile radius. AAA considers a “trip” to be a journey of more than 50 miles. If you stay within that radius, it’s technically a staycation. But it’s a contrarian move that could translate into big savings this summer — both in time and money.
If you get out, go far. Typically, Memorial Day is a thing in Canada and Mexico because they get so many U.S. visitors. So if you’re thinking of traveling, go the distance. No one has heard of Memorial Day in Asia or Europe. (I’m in Hong Kong now, and the end of May is pretty slow.)
You’ll get even more contrarian tips like this as a subscriber to Elliott Confidential. It's just $4.67 per month based on an annual subscription. You’ll also connect with a community of like-minded consumers who know how to beat the system!
Get the survival manual for summer travel
The Unauthorized Travel Manual offers 10 simple rules for smarter travel that challenge conventional wisdom and established industry practices.
I’ll explain how to dodge inflated prices, win the loyalty game and pack like a pro. But the Manual goes much further, disclosing how to develop a contingency plan, find the perfect insurance policy and discover what’s hiding in the fine print.
This guide empowers you to navigate the travel industry shrewdly, maximizing value and minimizing stress for a more authentic and fulfilling trip.
Subscribe to Elliott Confidential now and you’ll get a free copy of The Unauthorized Travel Manual. (See below for details on how to receive your book.)
Have a safe summer out there, my friend. And thank you for supporting the unwavering, award-winning consumer journalism in this newsletter.
Christopher Elliott
Publisher
Elliott Confidential
How to get your copy of The Unauthorized Travel Manual: Please send me an email with the headline “Book offer,” and don’t forget to tell me which version you’d prefer (epub or PDF).