Should you really be traveling in this economy?

Key Concepts

• Government Shutdown Impact on Flights
• Travel Reconsideration
• Backup Travel Plans
• Travel Protection and Insurance Limitations
• Refundable Bookings
• Holiday Travel Booking Strategies (Thanksgiving, Christmas)
• TSA Lines and Mitigation Strategies
• Informed Consumerism in Travel

Impact of Government Shutdown on Travel

The current government shutdown is significantly impacting thousands of flights, prompting a reconsideration of travel plans, especially for those considering flying. Travel expert Clint Henderson from The Point Guy advises that it is likely a good time to rethink whether a trip is truly worth it. The shutdown's duration is a critical factor; if it extends into Thanksgiving, many individuals may opt to skip traveling home for the holiday, choosing instead to travel for Christmas or utilize alternative transportation like trains or driving. The situation is described as "gnarly" and is expected to worsen daily.

Developing Backup Travel Plans

Henderson emphasizes the importance of having a Plan B. He uses the example of a trip from New York to Salt Lake City, and then to a regional airport in Butte, Montana. While the New York to Salt Lake City leg is less likely to be severely impacted, the regional flight from Salt Lake City to Butte is at a higher risk of cancellation. To mitigate this, Henderson suggests renting a car in Salt Lake City as a backup. This ensures that even if the regional flight is canceled, he still has a means to reach his destination without completely abandoning the trip.

Travel Protection and Insurance Limitations

Contrary to common belief, travel protection and insurance are generally not recommended for situations like the current shutdown. Henderson explains that most standard travel insurance policies will not cover disruptions caused by government shutdowns. Even trip delay, cancellation, and interruption insurance provided by premium credit cards have been confirmed by The Point Guy's outreach to credit card companies as not covering these specific flight reductions. "Cancel for any reason" insurance is also mentioned as being expensive and not always comprehensive in its coverage.

The Value of Refundable Bookings

Instead of relying on insurance, Henderson strongly advises booking refundable tickets for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Airlines are currently demonstrating flexibility by allowing cancellations and offering refunds, particularly for flights. This approach ensures that travelers can recoup their expenses if their plans are disrupted due to the ongoing situation, as the outcome of the shutdown remains uncertain.

Holiday Travel Booking Strategies

Thanksgiving: For those who have not yet booked Thanksgiving travel, Henderson suggests abandoning those plans at this point. Flight prices are already expected to increase significantly.

Christmas: The prime booking window for Christmas flights is currently open. Henderson recommends booking Christmas flights now to secure better prices, as prices will continue to rise from mid-November through Christmas. Waiting even a few more weeks will result in more expensive fares.

Mitigating TSA Line Wait Times

Despite images of massive TSA lines circulating on social media, Henderson notes that his recent travel experiences have been relatively good. He offers the following strategies to reduce wait times:

• Travel Midweek: Opt for traveling on weekdays.
• Travel Early Morning: Depart early in the day.
• Check Airport Status: Before heading to the airport, check the current situation at your departure airport.
• Situational Awareness: Be an informed consumer. If social media indicates exceptionally long lines (e.g., the reported 5-hour lines in Houston), consider contacting the airline to inquire about moving your flight to the next day to avoid the disruption.

Henderson stresses the importance of having "situational awareness" to protect oneself in these travel scenarios.

Conclusion

The current government shutdown necessitates a cautious approach to travel, particularly air travel. Travelers are advised to reconsider non-essential trips, develop robust backup plans, and prioritize refundable bookings over travel insurance for shutdown-related disruptions. For holiday travel, booking Christmas flights now is recommended, while Thanksgiving travel may be too late to book at favorable prices. Proactive measures, such as traveling during off-peak times and staying informed about airport conditions, can help mitigate the impact of long TSA lines. The overarching theme is to be an informed and adaptable consumer in the current travel climate.