Page 34 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – September 2021

PHONE
DIRECTORY
888-AAA-OHIO
• AAA credit card account information
• Approved Auto Repair
• Hotel reservations • Insurance Services • Member discounts • Travel Services
• TripTiks®, digital TourBooks, maps
EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE
In Franklin County Elsewhere
614-431-3388 800-AAA-HELP
AAA OHIO LOCATIONS
For store hours, visit AAA.com/Locations
Akron
Mansfield
330-762-0631
419-529-8500
Bellefontaine
Marion
937-599-5154
740-389-3517
Canton
Medina
330-455-6761
330-725-5669
Fremont
Sandusky
419-332-2602
419-625-5831
Hamilton
Wadsworth
513-863-3200
330-336-4900
Hudson
West Chester
330-650-6727
513-870-0951
Lima
Wooster
419-228-1022
330-345-5550
COLUMBUS
740-454-1234
AREA
Delaware
Polaris
740-363-1928
614-436-4005
Gahanna
Powell
614-750-8350
740-881-4400
Grandview
Westerville
614-488-2197
614-899-1222
Pickerington
Worthington
614-864-2224
614-431-7901
COLUMBUS AREA
DIRECT DIAL DEPARTMENTS:
AAA Driver Education
Traffic Safety
614-431-7882
614-431-7882
AAA Mobile Battery
Membership/ Insurance/
Travel Call Center 888-AAA-OHIO
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.;
Saturday,
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
800-AAA-HELP
Approved Auto Repair
614-431-7908
Insurance Quotes/Service 614-431-7807
Public Affairs
614-431-7896
Zanesville
CAR CARE PLUS
Columbus SE Gahanna Powell
614-559-0000 614-750-8350 740-881-4400
Columbus NW
Grandview Reynoldsburg
614-451-2111
614-488-2197 614-759-7777
Dublin
Polaris
614-336-3200 614-436-4005
Visit our website at AAA.com
AAA experts share their views on AAA today
I can feel the excitement of friends, family and clients alike who have been patiently waiting for the travel industry to re-awaken. As travelers start considering where their next big trip will lead, it’s essential to recognize some new aspects of the tourism world.
AIR TRAVEL
According to the Official Aviation Guide (OAG.com), final July global
seat capacity on airplanes is down 32% from 2019 but up 18.5% from June 2021. The U.S. Travel Association does not predict a full air travel recovery until somewhere around 2024. As a result of a reduction in overall availability and increasing demand, flights are filling
up quickly and prices are rising. Our agents recommend booking a flight as soon as possible.
Another strong recommendation for travelers is TSA PreCheck. For the cost of $85 for five years, TSA PreCheck is a good way to expedite the security process in the airport by requiring passengers to stand in fewer lines and save time. You also keep your shoes, belt and jacket on, and can leave your electronics in their bag.
Another obstacle to watch out for
is airport parking availability. In cities like Columbus or Pittsburgh that offer The Parking Spot, advisors encourage AAA members to book their parking in advance to ensure a spot. And remember, The Parking Spot offers
an exclusive AAA discount.
Go to AAA.com/travel and click on the Airport Parking link to make your reservation.
EUROPEAN TRAVEL
In May, we received the news that European countries would begin opening their borders for American leisure tourism starting in the summer of 2021. This claim has held as we see more and more European borders open. However, each country has travel restrictions that visitors need
to follow, ranging from required vaccinations to proof of a negative
32 | AAA MAGAZINE
Jeremy Marshall
AAA Ohio Vice President, Travel
COVID-19 test result and mandatory quarantine.
Travel.state.gov is a fantastic resource for confirming an individual country’s restrictions and guidelines regarding American tourism.
CRUISING
As the cruising world slowly restarts, it is clear things are different now.
The CDC has set conditional restart requirements for U.S. cruising, starting with vaccinations. Some cruise lines follow CDC guidelines that 90% of passengers and crew be fully vaccinated, while others require everyone on board to be vaccinated. Depending on their age, children may not have to be vaccinated but will still be required to follow the COVID-19 testing protocols. Reductions in ship capacity also have taken place.
Updated cruising features differ
from the conventional functions we once knew. Crew members must
plate food at the buffets now and passengers must book their shore excursions through the cruise lines only to keep everyone within their groups.
AAA Travel remains an excellent resource for vacation planning, as it was during the height of cancellations, ever-changing restrictions and uncertainty. We at AAA encourage members and clients to visit our travel offices whenever you feel ready to travel again. Our AAA Travel agents will be your best advocate before, during and after your next vacation.
All information is accurate as of this writing. Travelers are advised to speak with a travel agent and check reputable sources for travel-related updates and guidelines.