Snow, ice, sleet, slush — if you’re going on a winter road trip, you need to know how to deal with the season’s inclement weather, preferably before you turn the key in the ignition. Even if you’re planning a winter road trip specifically to avoid snow, it’s still good to study up.
Not all winter road trips will involve extreme weather conditions, but you don’t need to be driving in Alaska to run into winter driving conditions. Remember that it’s not just snow but ice and below-freezing temperatures that can affect a winter road trip.
“Many drivers don’t know what to do when the weather gets cold,” Benjamin Leuchter, a test and development driver for Volkswagen, said. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan winter driving adventures — in fact, we’re big fans of ski trips. It just means you’ll want to prepare to drive in snowy conditions to avoid getting stuck, according to Leuchter.
Before hitting the road this winter, follow these tips from Leuchter and other car safety experts to stay safe during a cold-weather road trip.
Bring winter safety essentials
LIGHTSHAPE/GETTY IMAGES
“Having some essential items in your vehicle before hitting the road is key to not only give you peace of mind but to ensure you’re prepared in case of bad weather,” Suzanne Johansson, a safety engineer at Chevrolet, said.
In addition to a snow brush and an ice scraper, Johansson recommends keeping a snow shovel and abrasive material, such as sand or cat litter, in your car. You’ll also want to have jumper cables, a flashlight and emergency flares in case you encounter unexpected problems.
While you may not want to wear your heaviest coat, boots and gloves when you get behind the wheel (it can be hard to drive when you’re overly bundled), Johansson recommends stowing cold-weather clothing in your car. She also suggests keeping a blanket or sleeping bag in your emergency winter car kit should you need extra layers to stay warm if you get stuck or stranded.
Pack a DIY car emergency kit
In addition to the previously mentioned winter-specific car items, experts at AAA strongly recommend packing a well-stocked emergency kit before venturing out in your vehicle. Create a bag that includes a cellphone charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, drinking water, and extra snacks and food for travelers and pets to keep in your car.
Prepare your car for winter
In the days leading up to a long trip, set aside time to get your car checked by an expert. “Have your dealer or a trusted mechanic do any scheduled service on your vehicle [before you embark on a trip in wintry conditions],” Johansson said. During this service visit, make sure your battery, tires, headlights, brake lights, wiper blades and other critical parts are tested and ready for winter, she added.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Check your tires
Since your tires are the only parts of your car that actually touch the road, it’s especially important to make sure they’re ready to roll before your winter road trip begins. Start by checking the tread depth, which you can do by inserting a quarter (head first) into the tread, AAA advises. If you can see the top of George Washington’s head, it’s time for new tires.
Leuchter also advises checking the pressure on all four tires, especially in winter when it tends to drop with the temperature. Routinely check and adjust your tires’ pressure to the recommended levels for your vehicle, which are listed inside the driver’s side door jamb.
Hit the car wash
Having a clean car may not be top of mind when you’re preparing for a winter road trip, but it’s a commonly missed tip that our experts say you should prioritize. This is especially true for cars with advanced safety features that rely on sensors and cameras. In the front, keep the windshield, front grill, front bumper area and headlamps clean. In the rear, make sure the rear camera lens and rear bumper are clean.
Download the right apps
Another way to prepare for a winter road trip is to load your phone with helpful apps. Here are a few options:
Weather Underground, Weather, Weather Bug: Any weather app that provides both long-range forecasts and emergency weather alerts based on your current GPS (like these) will ensure you receive up-to-date information about driving conditions throughout your journey.
GasBuddy: This app is designed to help you find the cheapest gas as you drive to your destination, but it also doubles as a way to locate the closest service station in an emergency.
ChargePoint, ChargeHub, Electrify America: Travelers with electric vehicles should use one of these apps to find nearby charging locations.
Waze: Use this directions app to get real-time, crowd-sourced road conditions and hazards.
Google Maps: This app allows you to download directions for offline use so you can always know how to get to your destination, even if you lose your phone signal.
TripWhistle: One of our favorite travel apps, TripWhistle maps your location and allows you to easily text or send your GPS coordinates.
Hotel Tonight: Another go-to app among TPGers, this last-minute booking app can locate the closest available hotel room and find you the lowest price in case you need to get off the road and take a break.
Read the manual
When was the last time you read your car’s safety manual? It’s another overlooked prep step, Johansson said. Before you set out, take some time to review the sections of your owner’s manual that cover antilock brakes, traction control and four- or all-wheel drive (if equipped). This way, you’ll be aware of your vehicle’s features and how to use them before you need to.
Skip cruise control
While you may be tempted to use car features like speed-maintaining cruise control, Leuchter recommends avoiding cruise control systems since the frequency of stops may increase in wintry conditions. Instead, manually control your car’s position so that there’s more distance — at least three car lengths — between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Also, avoid quick acceleration, aggressive steering and sudden braking, Leuchter said.
Fill up the gas tank and other car essentials
JASMIN MERDAN/GETTY IMAGES
It’s important to stay fueled and charged since bad weather can cause unexpected delays, Johansson said. She recommends keeping your gas tank at least half full and your cellphone charged whenever you head out in your car in winter. Additionally, you’ll want to check that your windshield washer fluid is filled with an antifreeze solution to protect your visibility on the road.
Be prepared for slower EV charge speeds
If you drive an electric vehicle, temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can dramatically reduce charging power by nearly 36% compared to charging at the optimal 60- to 80-degree range, according to Electrify America. Be sure to plan out your charging stops so you’re not caught without power. Try to park indoors in a garage if possible — the higher indoor temperatures can help your battery hold a charge for longer in addition to charging more quickly.
Know what to do if you start to skid
If you’ve ever driven in icy weather, you’ve probably experienced that stomach-churning feeling when your tires connect with an icy road. While hitting a patch of ice and consequently skidding can cause nerves, it’s important to stay calm and resist the urge to slam on the brakes, according to AAA. Instead, decide where you want the car to go and steer in that direction.
Dig out and stay warm while you wait for help
Should you find yourself stuck in snow or ice and waiting for help, clear the snow from the base of your vehicle, especially around the exhaust pipe, Johansson said. Then, intermittently run the vehicle to keep the interior warm. Don’t forget to open a window about two inches to bring in fresh air.
WASHINGTON — Venus Williams made headlines for becoming the second-oldest woman to ever win a tour-level singles match this week in Washington, a story we’ve already covered here at Bounces this week.
But in the days since Venus’ win, I was fascinated to see an unlikely sector where her post-victory remarks made prominent waves and headlines: healthcare and health insurance.
Near the end of her on-court interview with Rennae Stubbs on Tuesday night, Venus brought up her health insurance status nearly unprompted.
“I came back—I had to come back for the insurance, because they informed me earlier this year I’m on COBRA,” Venus said, making a shocked face and laughing as Stubbs ducked out of frame to laugh. “So I was like, I got to get my benefits on! Started training.”
(COBRA, which stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, is a temporary insurance program for people who are no longer on their recent employer’s health program, which has higher costs than what the person would have paid while a current employee.)
“She’s actually not lying about that,” Stubbs, herself a former player, confirmed on court. “Because we talked about that about six years ago, so you’re actually telling the truth—insurance is hard.”
“I’m on COBRA,” Venus reiterated. “You guys know what it’s like. And let me tell you: I’m always at the doctor, so I need this insurance.”
Venus brought the topic up again in her post-match press conference when asked how far she thought she could advance in the tournament.
“Well, I’m just trying to figure out how many wins will it take before I’m off COBRA,” Venus said, smiling. “I haven’t asked the WTA yet, but I gotta just keep winning until finally my insurance kicks back in, so.”
The American model of tethering healthcare access and affordability to employment status is rare (and bad!), and that even a multi-millionaire like Venus Williams was framing her return to work around a need for healthcare coverage was striking for many.
Venus Williams on court Thursday in Washington. ((Wick Photography / Mubadala Citi DC Open)
Venus’ comments were used to spark conversations on all sorts of American news media outlets—ABC, NPR, People, The Washington Post and more.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, classified as “left-wing” for stances that would be seen as centrist abroad, used Venus’s comments as further evidence in his crusade for greater healthcare access and affordability.
“If a wealthy professional athlete needs to come out of retirement to afford to see a doctor, how is our health care system impacting millions of working-class Americans?” Sanders’ account tweeted.
To be clear, Venus Williams can probably afford nearly any bill she’s facing, even with COBRA: with earnings of $42,648,578, Venus is second all-time on the WTA Prize Money leaderboard, behind only her sister Serena’s $94,816,730. Venus has probably earned even more than that eight-digit prize money total through endorsements and other business ventures over her long career.
But still, high medical bills can be shocking for anyone, and Venus’s medical issues over the years have been well-documented, including her struggles in recent years with the uterine fibroids she had surgically removed last year.
I had two questions I wanted to answer as the talk about Venus’s health insurance status grew in volume: how tongue-in-cheek was she being about her comments suggesting health insurance was a primary motivator for her return to tennis? And how does health insurance work for active and retired tennis players?
After her second-round loss on Thursday, I asked Venus to clarify and for her thoughts on the wider topic and conversation which she had joined.
Venus laughed and smiled when I asked her if healthcare really had been a “main motivating factor” in her comeback to the tour, and later said it was “a fun and funny moment,” which I think confirms her statement should be taken with a grain of salt for context. But even though Venus is generally loathe to discuss any overtly political topic, she reiterated that the broader issue of affordable medical care is a serious one.
Ben Rothenberg, Bounces: Your comments after your first singles win about the healthcare stuff generated a bunch of coverage of that and people talking about that. Could you clarify how serious or tongue-in-cheek that was about that being a main motivating factor for you coming back to tennis?
Venus Williams: Oh! (laughs)
Ben Rothenberg, Bounces: Because some people took it literally. And I wonder if you appreciate from this new experience like the importance of healthcare in people’s lives? A lot of people really do have to rely on work to get the healthcare they need.
Venus Williams: Yeah. I mean, nobody wants to be on COBRA, right? That remains an issue in my life.
But obviously healthcare is so important and access to healthcare and being able to see the right and the best doctors for whatever you’re going through. I have had that opportunity. I had that opportunity last year to see, in my opinion, the best doctor ever. That was all possible because, you know, I had insurance. Without that, the bills are quite hefty.
So it is a serious issue. Obviously it’s a fun and funny moment, but it’s an issue that people are dealing with, so it is serious.
I reached out to both the WTA and ATP to find out more about how health insurance works for their players. Tennis players are often talked about as “independent contractors,” and independent contractors rarely receive healthcare coverage from their employers, but both tours do provide health care for the players who qualify as being “members” of the WTA or ATP.
Here’s what the WTA responded with:
All player members have the opportunity to enroll in a best-in-class global medical, dental and vision insurance plan
Player members are notified of their eligibility status following the year-end ranking release in order to enroll for the following year
The insurance plan is provided on an annual basis – Jan 1 – Dec 31
Players who are no longer eligible for membership (based on ranking) but were previously on the plan have access to the health insurance plan under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) for up to 18 months
According to its rulebook, the WTA healthcare provider is Aetna Global PPO. The WTA further clarified when I followed up about requirements to be a “player member”:
If a player falls out of the current rankings of Top 150 Singles or Top 50 Doubles for Full Membership, they drop down to Associate Membership.
If they fall out of Associate Membership that means that they have not played at least 3 WTA 250 level event or higher (including GS) in the last 12 months and are not ranked inside top 500 singles or 175 doubles.
Though only the WTA coverage would be relevant to Venus, I was curious how the ATP side compared.
Here’s what the ATP provided when I inquired:
ATP player members are grouped as follows: Group 1 (Top 250 Singles, Top 50 Doubles) and Group 2 (all other players with a ranking point).
Group 1 membership includes:
Basic health insurance (with the option to purchase enhanced coverage). Includes limited coverage on dental and prescriptions.
Life insurance (automatically included within health insurance package)
Travel insurance (for travel to and from activities related to professional tennis)
Group 2 players are eligible to purchase health insurance (basic or enhanced) through ATP’s insurance provider.
When I asked about how it works for retired players, the ATP responded that “Currently alumni members can continue their coverage for up to 3 years (paid by the player through COBRA).”
According to one recently retired American ATP player I chatted about this topic with, the ATP uses Cigna as its health insurance provider, and the coverage is pretty robust, including for a player’s dependents.
Admittedly, the particulars of employer-provided healthcare was a pretty foreign topic to me as I set out writing this piece, since I have been freelance/self-employed for my entire journalistic career, and have just been on Obamacare. So if you’re ever inclined to help defray those or other bills—and keep the work I’m doing here at Bounces going strong—I appreciate you subscribing!
Citigroup has launched the Strata Elite credit card, positioned as a premium travel rewards card for frequent travelers with a $595 annual fee. It sits strategically between the more expensive American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, offering high-end perks at a lower cost than its direct competitors.
This card is specifically designed for affluent customers—a group with high spending power and strong credit profiles whom Citi aims to attract with hopes of cross-selling wealth management and other financial services.
Rather than overwhelming users with many niche benefits, Citi advocates for a streamlined rewards package. The offering delivers core high-value perks instead of what executives describe as “a coupon book” of benefits, a shift aligned with growing consumer preference for clarity
When cardholders book through the Citi Travel portal, they earn elevated multipliers—12× ThankYou points on hotels, car rentals and attractions; 6× points on airfare and CitiNights weekend dining; 3× points on other dining; and 1.5× points on all other spend.
If fully utilized, the card can deliver nearly $1,500 in annual value through statement credits and premium benefits. Highlights include a $300 annual hotel credit for qualifying stays, a $200 “splurge” credit redeemable with partners such as American Airlines, Best Buy, or Live Nation, $200 in Blacklane chauffeur credits, and a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years.
Additional perks include four Admirals Club lounge passes annually, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, no foreign transaction fees, and extensive travel insurance coverage—including trip delay, baggage loss and rental car protection.
Citi extends fee relief to Citigold clients: Citigold Private Clients receive a full rebate the first year and pay $145 per year subsequently, while standard Citigold members get a $145 annual credit toward the fee.
Even at $595 per year, analysts consider the Strata Elite competitively priced compared with the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 fee and AmEx Platinum’s $695. MarketWatch reports that as premium card fees climb, Citi’s simpler value proposition aligns with customer bluntness toward overcomplicated perks.
In this commentary: Should I cancel my summer vacation?
in this commentary
Summer vacation plans are in jeopardy as travelers grapple with sticker shock, overwhelming crowds, and safety worries.
Are your reasons for canceling valid, or just excuses? This commentary separates the legitimate concerns from the lame ones.
Before you pull the plug on your trip, you need to know about the potential fallout—from disappointed family to steep financial penalties.
Is the thought of going on summer vacation too much for you? Too much money, too much hassle, too much everything?
Well, you’ve got company.
Americans are having second thoughts about their summer vacations, according to Stephen Day, director of Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Economic Education.
“People think their vacation dollars won’t take them very far,” he says.
A new survey finds that more than half of Americans are cutting back their summer travel plans, spurred by economic worries and price increases.
Should they? The answer is yes — and no. There’s no requirement to take a summer vacation. But there are also good — and not so good — reasons to cancel this year’s summer vacation.
You don’t have to take a vacation this summer
You may feel some pressure to go somewhere this summer, but experts say that’s nonsense.
“There’s nothing wrong with staying home,” says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips. “I respect a client who says, ‘We just can’t afford a trip this year.’ I appreciate that kind of honesty. Financial stress can spoil a vacation.”
The best reason to postpone or cancel a summer vacation is your personal circumstances — health issues, job loss, or personal crises. Friends and family can put a lot of pressure on you to go somewhere. Maybe there’s that moment next to the water cooler after Labor Day where you’re comparing your vacation stories with your colleagues, and maybe it fills you with dread.
So I’ll let you off the hook. If someone gives you an eye-roll when you admit you stayed home this summer, show them this column. Read Sherren’s quote. Hold your head high, my friend.
Summer vacation is not mandatory.
Here’s why you should cancel your summer vacation
There are legitimate reasons to call off your summer vacation.
It’s too expensive
Face it, traveling this summer is far from affordable. Airfares and hotel rates are trending higher in many popular places. “It’s massively expensive,” says Sarah Davies, who works for a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. She’s thinking of canceling her summer trip to Italy. “Is it a wise use of our finances?” she wonders. (Typically, if you have to ask that question, you already know the answer, which is to cancel.)
It’s too crowded
Crowds will probably be a serious problem this summer. Maria Szandrach has already canceled her summer vacation in Portugal. “I had everything planned — days wandering through Lisbon’s historic streets, exploring the stunning cliffs in the Algarve, and indulging in way too many pastéis de nata,” says Szandrach, who runs a technology company in San Francisco. “But after reading about how crowded things were going to be, I decided to cancel.” She says she didn’t want to spend her entire vacation “packed like a sardine at every major site.” And that’s a legitimate concern.
It’s too dangerous
Sebastian Garrido, a marketing manager for a tour operator based in Mexico City, says he’s canceled his summer vacation to visit his family in northern Mexico because he’s worried about security. “Northern Mexico is not the safest place,” he says. That may be an understatement. The U.S. State Department has warned of gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault along parts of the border with the U.S.. Better choose a safer summer vacation destination.
Bad reasons to cancel your summer vacation
But there are also reasons people are calling off their summer vacation that don’t really hold up. Those include:
“I can’t leave my pet alone”
Oh, for heaven’s sake! Get a friend to stop by your place to feed or walk your dog, or to house sit while you’re away, and enjoy a little time off. If you can’t bear to part with your furry friend, then find a pet-friendly summer vacation.
“I’m too busy for a vacation”
What nonsense! If you don’t take a little time off, you’re going to burn out. Everyone needs a little downtime away from the phone and laptop and spent with friends or family. You have to make the time.
“I’m not a good traveler”
Guess what? No one is a good traveler. Travel is uncomfortable, expensive and inconvenient — but once you get to your destination, it’s usually worth it. So don’t give me any excuses about being a bad traveler, please.
Your voice matters
🖐️ Your voice matters
Are you having second thoughts about your summer vacation this year? What are your biggest concerns—cost, crowds, or something else?
And what do you think is the best reason to cancel a trip?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Warning: If you cancel your vacation, you will have to deal with this
If you decide to cancel your summer vacation plans, be prepared for a few things. First, there will be fallout from the rest of your family or travel companions, who were really looking forward to seeing Rome or Lisbon this summer. You may have to promise them a do-over during the fall, when travel will be less expensive and crowded, so that’s a real win-win.
But second, and equally important, is that you could face some steep cancellation penalties. If you’ve already prepaid for airfare and hotels, you may lose some money. (That’s one reason I sometimes recommend travel insurance, especially “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. Because stuff happens.)
I’m having second thoughts about my summer travels, too. I’m currently in Germany and headed to Greece next week. I’m trying to avoid the popular places, and I’m staying flexible just in case things take a turn for the worse.
You never know.
The smart traveler’s guide to canceling a vacation
1
Review your policies first
Before you do anything, read the cancellation policies for your flights, hotels, and tours. Pay close attention to deadlines and non-refundable clauses.
2
Contact vendors immediately
The sooner you notify companies of your cancellation, the better your chances of a refund. Use email to create a written record of your request.
3
Understand your refund options
Companies may offer a cash refund, a future travel credit, or a voucher. Know the difference and the expiration dates for any credits offered.
4
File a travel insurance claim
If you have travel insurance and are canceling for a covered reason (like a medical issue), start the claims process right away. Be prepared to provide documentation.
