Holiday Travel Takes a Detour: Why Flight Uncertainty is Driving Customers Back to the Road

The holidays are on the horizon, but travel jitters are replacing the usual holiday cheer for many. With a government shutdown disrupting air travel, the industry is bracing for one of the most unpredictable holiday seasons in years.

Essential federal workers, including TSA officers and air traffic controllers, are stretched thin. This has already led to widespread reports of longer security lines, crippling flight delays, and last-minute cancellations. For millions of Americans, the hope of a quick flight home is turning into the nightmare of being stranded at the terminal.

Faced with travel chaos, many are turning to the one thing they can control: the open road. Recent forecasts show a sharp uptick in long-distance driving, as travelers swap airport stress for the certainty of their own vehicles. This season, the great American road trip isn’t just back—it’s essential.

A CRITICAL MOMENT FOR CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT

For our clients, this shift signals a critical moment for customer satisfaction and loyalty. As more of your customers drive farther and longer, the likelihood of roadside events rises sharply. At Agero, we’re already preparing for the surge in service demand—but beyond logistics, this represents a powerful opportunity to strengthen customer trust.

YOUR CUSTOMERS NEED PEACE OF MIND (NOW MORE THAN EVER)

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The holidays can be financially and emotionally draining. With household budgets already tight, an unexpected breakdown can become a costly setback. The average retail tow, for example, costs $190 and can be pricier depending on distance and location. This is an expense no one wants to face, especially during the holidays.

This is exactly why roadside assistance coverage exists—yet many drivers don’t realize they already have it, or they’re unsure how to use it when they need it most. Some even discover too late that their coverage has lapsed.

In fact, our data shows that 1 in 7 drivers who contact Agero for roadside support learn they do not have active coverage—a moment of frustration that can erode trust in your brand. But it’s also entirely preventable with proactive communication.

A Call to Action for Marketing and Customer Service Teams

This is the time to get ahead of the holiday rush. You have a solution that provides genuine peace of mind to customers that are anxious about travel. We urge our clients to use this opportunity to reach out before the holiday rush.

Two essential messages to share right now:

  1. “Check Your Coverage Before You Go.” Agero research show many customers are misinformed or unaware of their roadside benefits. ARCH equips you with content that breaks it down simply so customers know the depth and breadth of their warranty roadside benefits.

     

  2. “Skip the Call—Get Help Faster Digitally.” Remind customers that using your digital intake on the mobile app or on the web is the fastest way to request roadside help. It avoids long hold times during peak season, automatically identifies their location, and dispatches assistance with just a few taps. Plus it provides customers with real-time service provider ETA and tracking for extra reassurance. 

To make it simple, we’ve prepared ready-to-use marketing assets that you can customize and share with your customers. Choose from our library of emails, social media posts, and blog articles to quickly help your customers stay covered and confident this holiday season. Visit the Agero Roadside Content Hub now to view the materials.

TURNING DISRUPTION INTO LOYALTY

This holiday season will be defined by uncertainty. By proactively reminding your customers of the protection they already have, and showing them the easiest way to access it, you can turn a potential stressful situation into a defining moment to deliver your brand promise.

 
 

Meet the Author: Samira Bowles - Senior Manager, Marketing Strategy

As the Senior Manager of Marketing Strategy, Samira is responsible for helping our clients drive more value from their roadside assistance offering through marketing programs and customer engagement strategies. Samira has an MBA and Bachelors in Marketing from the University of North Florida and over 20 years of experience in B2B2C marketing strategy. She is based in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband John and twin daughters.
 
 

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