Chat about holiday travel with AAA spokesman Jim Hanni

It’s the holidays again, which means families are packing their cars to go over the river, through the woods and across busy interstate highways to get to grandmother’s house. AAA’s Jim Hanni will take your queries about holiday travel.

Moderator

Our online chat with AAA spokesman Jim Hanni is set to begin in just a few minutes.
I’m Deanna Richards. I’ll be moderating today’s chat.

Moderator

We are running about 15 minutes behind schedule. Mr. Hanni will be available to answer your questions around 2:00 p.m. Thanks for your patience!

Moderator

Alright. We’re ready to begin. Jim, thanks for joining us.

Jim Hanni

Thanks, Deanna…glad to be here and sorry for the delay.

consumer1

Good morning. I had Triple AAA for several years and in the last few years i was bombarded with junk mail, from people who got my name from your company, it was always something tied to AAA. Other “offers”. This became annoying in a hurry. But, what made me cancel my plan with AAA was the fact that after at least a dozen calls to your office, the home office and several emails all I got was lip service about taking me off those list. I tried politely as I know how to express that it made me feel like my only purpose was to provide AAA with a name for “other opportunities”. Personal service is aparently just a myth. Amazingly, I am still getting junk from associates of AAA after almost a year past my cancellation date. This is too bad. I used to feel AAA offered a wonderful service and I could depend on them, now I only feel used. If AAA ever stops using their customer base as a “mailing list” and gets back to caring about their customers I wil be first on the sign up list. Although this breach of trust will take some time to recover from.
Thanks.

Jim Hanni

That is absolutely not our policy so first, I apologize if that happened. We send out a lot of things to our members but if they don’t want to get those offers we want to know about it. Your satisfaction is truly important…I know that sounds trite but I really mean it. We need to get your name and membership # so we can remove you from mailings. Please give me a call directly at toll free 866-245-6222 ext. 6552 and I’ll remove your name…or you can email me at jhanni@aaaa-alliedgroup.com. again, soooo sorry it happened!

Moderator

Switching gears back to the holiday hustle and bustle, maybe you could give people who are traveling this weekend some tips? What should we be prepared for as we hit the skies and the roads?

Jim Hanni

It’s going to be busy this year. travel is uop a lot, so its wise to plan ahead – allow enough time for rest stops and traffic if you’re driving. If you are going to airports there are a lot of first time travelers since the TSA put out its new rules on gels and liquids so allow enough time for a few delays. Travel at major airports is expected to be up 10-20% v. last year.

Moderator

We know AAA as a source of information on drivers, roadways, gas prices and traveling in general. How did this come to be?

Jim Hanni

We started out an association of folks who drove that new-fangled thing called an automobile. At that time there were 23,000 cars and 17 million horses. I think its reversed now! That was 1902. AAA actually put up the first directional signs when there were nothing but dirt roads…later mileage signs, then books with narrative routings on how to navigate roads. Then we helped get the interstate highway legislation passed in 1956. so we truly have been an advocate for the motorist and motorist safety since 1902.

Moderator

We’ve been seeing and hearing reports that travelers will be hit hardest with rental car fees and hotel prices. How does this news affect travelers?

Jim Hanni

Probably more the air traveler who needs to rent a car at an airport to get to grandma’s house, but I think there will be a noticeable increase in hotel costs experienced by those driving by car long distances requiring overnights. 16% increase over last year in a survey of our 3-diamond hotels. 21% increase in car rental rates over last year.

Moderator

What about gas prices? We always hear a lot about them this time of year. What kind of prices can drivers expect to see on the roads? Where do prices rank compared with this time last year?

Jim Hanni

I’m doing this off the top of my head but I believe we’re sitting around $2.18 here in Kansas (average). The national average is around $2.23, so its a little better here. A year ago our Ka. average was $2.07, the year before that in 2004 it was $1.88 and in 2003 it was $1.50. I don’t expect anything different from that over the next few days. The long term outlook for prices to remain near current levels is promising. Missouri has some of the nation’s lowest gas prices now, so if you’re heading east you might find prices a bit lower there. The current average in Missouri si about $2.08.

Moderator

Alright. Well, unfortunately, that’s all we have time for today. Jim Hanni, thanks so much for your travel tips and helpful information. We hope you have a happy Thanksgiving! And if you’re traveling yourself, be safe.