AAA's Holiday Season Fuel Prices and Travel Advisories (4 Parts)
18 December 2000
AAA's Holiday Season Fuel Prices and Travel Advisories (4 Parts)
AAA Reports Fuel Prices Drop 4.6 Cents Since Thanksgiving
BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 18 Today AAA reports the average
price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline has decreased 4.6 cents since
Thanksgiving to $1.615 per gallon, but is 24 cents higher than December of
last year.
For the first time since early August, the national average price of
self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is below $1.50 per gallon. The national
average price is $1.496 per gallon, down 5.2 cents in the last month.
Area by Area Comparison of
Self-serve Regular Unleaded Fuel Prices
City Holiday Season Thanksgiving Holiday Season
2000 Holiday 2000 1999
Bellevue 1.723 1.720 1.475
Bellingham 1.588 1.662 N/A
Bremerton 1.563 1.609 1.372
Everett 1.620 1.676 1.395
Lynnwood 1.656 1.725 1.396
Olympia 1.595 1.653 1.366
Renton 1.647 1.648 1.355
Seattle 1.715 1.726 1.426
Tacoma 1.628 1.667 1.367
Tri-Cities 1.571 1.620 1.257
Vancouver 1.568 1.672 1.346
Wenatchee 1.572 1.596 1.396
Yakima 1.547 1.619 1.363
Averages 1.615 1.661 1.376
HOLIDAY TRAVEL
During this Christmas-New Year's holiday, 60.6 million Americans are
expected to travel 100 miles or more from home, a 4 percent increase over last
year's 58.3 million people, according to AAA. Approximately 44.9 million
travelers plan to go by auto and another 15.7 million will travel by airplane,
train or bus.
AAA's WINTER DRIVING TIPS
Before heading out to visit family and friends this holiday season, AAA
suggests taking time to prepare for winter driving conditions, especially if
you'll be driving through the mountains.
AAA recommends checking the following items on your vehicle:
-- Batteries & Charging Systems: Recharge or replace weak batteries.
Make sure the battery posts are clean of corrosion. Inspect ignition wires,
distributor cap and spark plugs for problems. Belts must be tight and free of
cracks and glazing.
-- Engine Oil: Change oil between 3,000 and 7,500 miles depending on the
manufacturer's recommendations and driving conditions. Transmission fluid
should also be checked.
-- Lights: Check all exterior lights for proper operation.
-- Brake System: Brakes and brake fluids should be checked and properly
adjusted to ensure equal braking.
-- Tires: Make sure tires are properly inflated, have adequate tread
depth and are in good condition.
-- Heating and Cooling System: Check the radiator and hoses for leaks and
cracks. Add a sufficient amount of antifreeze if low. Test the heater and
defroster for proper operation.
-- Windshield Wipers and Washer: Wipers should be checked for proper
functioning. Replace blades if over 6 months old. Fill your washer reservoir
bottle with a nonfreezing washer solvent.
-- Winter Driving Kit: Tire chains, small bag of abrasive material
(sand, salt or kitty litter), small snow shovel, snow brush, traction mats,
flashlight, ice scraper, cloth or roll of paper towels, booster cables,
blanket, hat, gloves, warm clothing, rain coat, first aid kit, food, water,
tire gauge and warning devices (flares or triangles).
AAA recommends using your owner's manual to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for winter driving conditions. By taking time to regularly assess the
condition of your vehicle, you improve the chances of avoiding a safety or
security situation down the road.
AAA's AIRPORT TRAVEL TIPS
Christmas-New Year's air travelers will find airfares up an average
10 percent over a year ago, and typically heavy volumes at airports as the
holiday nears, AAA reports. Travelers should consider alternatives to driving
and leaving their car at the airport, since airport traffic and parking will
be difficult.
AAA offers air travelers the following tips when flying this holiday:
-- Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes early for domestic flights
and longer for international. You're considered a "no-show" if you have not
checked in with the airline 20 minutes prior to departure and you will lose
your seat on that flight.
-- Ship your holiday gifts and other articles to your destination before
your departure, and do the same on your return. If you plan to check luggage
and already have your airline ticket, save time by using the curb-side luggage
check-in service.
-- Make sure both your carry-on and checked luggage have identification
tags inside and outside so you can easily identify them.
-- Call the airline the day of departure to reconfirm that your flight is
leaving as scheduled and remember to bring your legal photo ID.
-- If you are at the airport and your flight is cancelled (and the airline
has not advised you about being confirmed on another flight), proceed to a
telephone and call the airline immediately. Tell them what happened, have
them look at your reservation and ask them to book you on another flight.
Telephoning is usually quicker and more successful than standing in line at
the customer service desk.
-- If your flight is delayed, stay close to the boarding area for updated
information.
-- If you are being picked up at the airport, arrange in advance where
you'll meet your party. The best places to meet are at the baggage claim or
at the arrival gate.
AAA Washington provides more than 646,000 members in western and central
Washington a full range of products and benefits, including full-service
travel agencies and personal lines insurance agencies in each of its
13 service centers; a range of auto-related services; a variety of financial
products, and member discounts on many consumer products and services.
Although its travel and insurance agencies are available to the general
public, AAA members benefit additionally from many special discounts and
exclusive programs. A not-for-profit organization, AAA Washington also
assists travelers through its highway and transportation safety and
legislative advocacy programs. More information about AAA Washington is
available on the company's website at http://www.aaawa.com.
CONTACT: Janet Ray, 425-646-2058, or Jennifer Harbison, 425-646-2055,
both of AAA Washington.