More Thanksgiving travelers anticipated this year

NEW YORK -- A stronger economy and lower gas prices mean Thanksgiving travelers can expect more congested highways this year.

During the long holiday weekend, 46.9 million Americans are expected to go 50 miles or more from home, the highest number since 2007, according to travel agency and car lobbying group AAA.

That would be a 0.6 percent increase over last year and the seventh straight year of growth.

While promising for the travel industry, the figure still is 7.3 percent short of the 50.6 million high point reached in 2007, just before the recession.

As on every other holiday, the overwhelming majority of travelers -- almost 90 percent -- will be driving. And they will be paying much less at the pump.

AAA said the average retail price for gasoline is $2.15 per gallon, 74 cents cheaper than the same time last year.

With the average car getting 18.5 miles per gallon, that means a family driving 300 miles will save $12 in fuel this holiday.

The average price of gas Wednesday in Missouri was $1.90, according to AAA. That's down considerably from the average the same time last year, $2.66.

Airlines for America, the lobbying group for several major airlines, forecasts 25.3 million passengers will fly on U.S. airlines, up 3 percent from last year. AAA's forecast shows fewer numbers of fliers because it looks at a five-day period, while the airline group looks at the 12 days surrounding Thanksgiving.

Airfare is basically flat compared to last year, with a mere 0.3 percent or 69-cent average increase, according to the Airlines Reporting Corp., which processes ticket transactions for airlines and travel agencies.

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport manager Bruce Loy said this typically is the airport's busiest time of year, and he doesn't expect this year to be any different.

"We are expecting it to be busy," Loy said.

Cape Air's website still showed seats available on flights Monday through Friday next week, although Loy said some flights are full.

"Cape Air still has seats out for sale for those holiday travelers looking to fly into St. Louis and beyond this holiday season," Cape Air marketing manager Erin Hatzell said in an email. "Now is a great time for holiday travelers to book their tickets in and out of Cape Girardeau to St. Louis."

A representative from Bart Transportation, which shuttles passengers between the Cape Girardeau area and Lambert St. Louis International Airport, said the service still is taking reservations for next week.

She said they typically like to have the reservation made three to four days in advance.

The last shuttle will leave Cape Girardeau about 4 p.m. Wednesday; the shuttle does not run on Thanksgiving Day.

Traveler counts are a little fuzzier when it comes to other forms of transportation.

Bus use will continue to grow, according to the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University.

The school expects 1.2 million people to take buses, up 1 percent to 2 percent from last year.

But AAA said travel by cruises, trains and buses, will decrease 1.4 percent this Thanksgiving, to 1.4 million travelers.

Travelers planning to come into Cape Girardeau for Thanksgiving still appeared to have options Wednesday afternoon.

Most area hotels' reservation websites showed availability from midweek through the busy holiday shopping weekend.

Air travel

Since flying often can cause the most disruptions and leave travelers feeling helpless, here are some tips to cope with any delays. Flights are packed around the holidays, and if there is any hiccup, the difference between getting home and not can come down to asking the right questions and acting fast.

Delays

• At the first sign of a serious mechanical problem, call the airline to have it "protect" you on the next flight out. That way if the mechanical problem leads to a cancellation, you already are confirmed on a new flight and can print a new boarding pass.
• If you miss your flight connection -- or bad weather causes delays -- get in line to speak to a customer-service representative, but also call the airline directly. If the phone lines are jammed, try the airline's overseas numbers. You'll pay long-distance rates but might not have to wait. Add those numbers to your phone now. Finally, consider sending a tweet to the airline.
• Consider buying a one-day pass to the airline lounge. There usually are free drinks and light snacks, but the real secret to the lounges is the airline staffs them with some of its best -- and friendliest -- ticket agents. The lines are shorter, and these agents are able to find empty seats. One-day passes typically cost $50, but discounts sometimes can be found in advance online.
• If weather causes cancellations, use apps such as HotelTonight and Priceline to find last-minute hotel discounts for that night. Warning: Many of the rooms are nonrefundable when booked, so lock in only once stuck.