Somehow it’s now November and that means the holidays are approaching fast. This time of year there is always a surge in traveling. In fact, American Express Spending & Saving Tracker estimates that 84 million Americans will be hitting the roads and airports for holiday travel this year. That’s more than one fourth of the country’s population! And baby boomers are no exception – millions of boomers travel to visit family and friends all across the U.S. around the holidays.

With the election and Hurricane Sandy, however, the holidays haven’t been on people’s minds. We all know that waiting until the last minute when booking a trip means higher prices. Airlines for America predicts that planes will be close to 90% full and airlines will have fewer flights this holiday season, which means a spike in ticket prices for passengers, particularly those who wait until the last minute to book flights.

Fortunately there’s a more affordable way for boomers to travel this season. AARP’s 38 million members can save significantly on car rentals, providing them with an alternative to sky high plane ticket prices and allowing them the opportunity to still visit friends and family. Thanks to exclusive savings, AARP members receive 20-30% off of Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National car rentals.

But, there’s more. There are many other opportunities for AARP members to save money while hitting the road this holiday season.

• Start the morning with Dunkin Donuts – receive a  free donut with a large or XL coffee
• Grab dinner at Denny’s – save 20% from 4:00-10:00 p.m. every day
• Sleep tight at Hilton, Starwood and Wyndham hotel brands and save up to 20%

The bottom line is holiday travel doesn’t have to break the bank. Visit aarpdiscounts.com to learn about the valuable savings available this season for AARP members.

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