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A frigid arctic blast threatens to derail holiday travel this week. But even those who reach their destinations on time may have reason to grumble: Some will have to make their own hotel beds, wipe their own in-flight tray tables and wait in lines at airport lounges — or pay more for a smoother experience. While travel demand is roaring back, many hotels, airlines, cruise operators and airports are still racing to hire and train workers. Some companies are tightening access to perks and amenities, in a few cases by raising prices. That means the level of customer service will likely take a hit, industry experts say. Nearly 113 million Americans are forecast to take to the roads and skies between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, according to AAA, up 3.6 million from last year and just shy of pre-pandemic numbers. But employment levels in the leisure and hospitality sector are still 5.8% lower than in February 2020, when the industry employed around 980,000 more people than it did last month, fede...

U.S. gas prices are now at their lowest level since the February start of Russia's war in Ukraine, which sent prices soaring. But at $3.61, it's still the highest price ever recorded for the week of Thanksgiving by AAA. Blame inflation. “The national average has fallen sharply since the June peak of nearly $5.02,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a statement. “But this Thanksgiving will be about 20 cents higher than a year ago, and a dollar more per gallon than a pre-pandemic 2019." "However, we can be thankful that gas prices are moving in the right direction for now,” Gross said. prices _221117_1920x1080-udm0m6.jpg"/> prices _221117_1920x1080-udm0m6.jpg"/> Gas prices dip ahead of Thanksgiving travel , could dip even further Nov. 17, 2022 00:25 There remains wide geographic variability in gas prices , with averages in southern U.S. states well below the national rate. Notably, the price of gasoline in Texas has broken below $3 to an average o...