Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

U.S. airlines are preparing for a record-setting holiday travel season, with 54 million passengers expected between Dec. 19, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025, a 6% increase from last year.
The busiest travel days are projected to be Dec. 20, 22, 26, 27 and 29, while airports are typically quieter on Christmas Day itself.
International travel demand is rising, with Tokyo seeing a notable spike in bookings, alongside traditional domestic hotspots like New York and Los Angeles.
Operational disruptions have decreased compared to previous years, but weather remains the primary risk for delays and cancellations.

What to consider

Airlines have improved performance, with lower cancellation rates in 2024 compared to 2022, though some delays persist, especially during peak periods.
Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy filing is not expected to impact holiday operations, as flights and commitments are being maintained.
Travelers should review ticket inclusions, utilize travel apps, book airport parking in advance and maximize any expiring travel credits before Dec. 31.

What you'll miss from the article

Detailed tips for navigating crowded airports, managing unexpected disruptions and maximizing travel benefits during the holiday rush.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Fresh off the busiest day ever at U.S. airports, there’s little time to rest. Airlines are already preparing for what’s expected to be a record-setting year-end holiday rush.

Fifty-four million passengers are expected to fly on U.S. airlines between Dec. 19, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025, up 6% over last year’s Christmas and New Year’s travel rush, according to a trade group for the largest U.S. carriers.

That’s after a Thanksgiving travel rush that saw the Transportation Security Administration screen more than 3 million passengers Dec. 1 — more than on any other day in its history.

Upgrades clearing less? Airlines say more passengers are just paying for those first-class seats

“This holiday travel season is expected to be one of the busiest ever, and U.S. airlines have been diligently preparing to ensure passengers and cargo reach their destinations safely and on time,” Airlines for America Senior Vice President of Communications Rebecca Spicer said in a statement.

Holiday decorations inside the main terminal at Dulles International Airport (IAD). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Value check: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?

Major holidays in 2024 have set one air travel record after another. So far this year, the TSA has seen its all-time single-day passenger count records fall over Memorial Day weekend, then again on Fourth of July weekend and most recently on the heels of Thanksgiving.

Since Christmas and New Year’s travel is spread out over a couple weeks, travelers likely won’t see any one day as busy as the Sunday after Thanksgiving was — but expect heavy crowds at airports throughout much of late December and early January.

“Christmas looks set to be just as big over an expanded period of time, so it’ll set all kinds of records,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said, addressing reporters Dec. 3 in Washington.

What are the busiest days to travel for Christmas and New Year's?

Airlines say the five busiest days to fly this holiday season are:

Friday, Dec. 20
Sunday, Dec. 22
Thursday, Dec. 26
Friday, Dec. 27
Sunday, Dec. 29

If you’re flying on any of these days, plan ahead, and get to the airport early.

DAVID PAUL MORRIS/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

In an interview with TPG this fall, TSA Administrator David Pekoske said the agency has kept wait times minimal in 2024 — including 10 minutes or less on average for TSA PreCheck — even as officers fielded many of the busiest days ever seen at U.S. airports.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to travel on Christmas Day, there’s a good chance you’ll find smaller crowds. Airports tend to be quieter on the holiday itself.

Consider this: The quietest day at U.S. airports in 2024, so far, was Thanksgiving Day. Three days later, the Sunday after the holiday was the busiest day ever.

Growing international demand for the holidays

Where are travelers headed this holiday season? The top destinations, as shared by Chase Travel, are of little surprise: New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

But the fourth-most-booked destination? Tokyo — which Chase also rated as the destination that’s seeing the biggest year-over-year spike in bookings.

It’s part of an overall trend United is seeing, too, with more travelers opting for overseas trips over Christmas and New Year’s.

“People are more adventurous over the holidays than they have been historically,” Kirby said this month. “People used to be much more focused on domestic or near-shore international. [There’s] a lot more demand to go to places like Europe and Japan.”

Tokyo — MATTEO COLOMBO/DIGITALVISION/GETTY IMAGES

When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight

Will airlines run smoothly?

Plenty of travelers likely remain apprehensive when it comes to air travel, with all too many memories of recent years' operational meltdowns.

Here's the good news: They've become fewer and further between.

Despite some recent air traffic control-fueled delays at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), things mostly ran smoothly over Thanksgiving.

Between Nov. 26 and Dec. 1, U.S. carriers canceled 0.3% of flights, with around 17% delayed, according to FlightAware.

U.S. carriers have canceled around 1.3% of flights in 2024, per FlightAware. That's roughly in line with 2023 levels — but far better than the 2.3% during a comparable period in 2022, when passengers frequently encountered mass flight cancellations and delays.

So far, 2024 has brought just one major meltdown: the July CrowdStrike outage, which triggered an operational snafu at Delta Air Lines, fueling thousands of flight cancellations over several days.

Southwest Airlines passengers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) during the 2023 Thanksgiving rush. LI JIANGUO/XINHUA/GETTY IMAGES

Will Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy affect holiday travel plans?

There was, of course, one piece of news this fall that may have proved disconcerting for travelers: the word that Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Yet the carrier insists its planes will depart as planned this holiday season, with all operations — and staff — continuing like normal as the court proceedings play out over the coming months.

"Customers, in principle, would not feel any impact from the bankruptcy," Steve Walt, legal expert and professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, recently told TPG. "Tickets would still be honored, the airline would continue to fly and honor their commitments to their customers."

Over the Thanksgiving travel rush, Spirit canceled just four out of more than 4,400 flights. Around a fifth of its flights were delayed.

FAQ: Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy and how it might affect your travel

A Spirit Airlines aircraft at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Weather remains the biggest question

Ultimately, barring the unforeseen, Mother Nature should prove to be the biggest X factor in whether holiday travel runs smoothly.

After all, Southwest Airlines’ 2022 holiday meltdown got started with a major winter storm that swept across much of the country — including its top operating bases.

It’s too early to say, for sure, how the weather will cooperate.

“From this far out, it doesn’t look like a pattern that would bring a devastating snowstorm,” offered Tom Kines, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.

Residents in western New York dig out from lake-effect snow Dec. 1. JOHN NORMILE/GETTY IMAGES

However, there are early signs of weather systems that could perhaps bring messy, rainy conditions to the East Coast during Christmas week — and perhaps some snow in parts of the interior Northeast.

“As we all know, even if it’s foggy, that can cause delays and problems,” Kines added. “And if you get up across the Great Lakes, if you get a few inches of snow at the wrong time, primarily morning or early afternoon, that can cause problems as well.”

As always, the largest share of holiday travelers will be hitting the road.

And there’s good news on that front. AAA is tracking a three-year low in the national average for a gallon of regular gas, at around $3.01.

AAA says the national average could conceivably dip below $3 between now and Christmas.

If you are driving to your holiday destination, be sure to fill up with a credit card that earns bonus points at gas stations — and keep in mind, there are ways to stack your credit card rewards with gas station loyalty program benefits.

Tips for making your holiday travel run smoothly

If you’re headed to the airport for the holidays, there are a few things you can do to make your experience as smooth — and stress-free — as possible.

Book your airport parking in advance

Don’t waste precious preflight minutes roaming the airport parking garage only to find filled-up spaces.

Many major U.S. airports allow travelers to reserve a space online ahead of time, and often give those prebookers a discount to boot.

Download the MyTSA app

Don’t have TSA PreCheck access? Download the MyTSA app, which allows you to monitor checkpoint wait times in real time and can help you estimate how much time you’re likely to spend standing in line.

Figure out what’s included with your ticket — and what’s not

Getting to the airport only to find out your ticket doesn’t include, say, a full-size carry-on — or free seat selection — can be disappointing and expensive if you ultimately choose to purchase either as an add-on.

Double-check your ticket now to make sure you know what you signed up for.

Keep in mind that several airlines — from JetBlue to budget carriers — relaxed some of their more restrictive policies in 2024, but certain no-frills tickets are still, well, no-frills.

Plus, numerous U.S. carriers hiked fees for checked bags in 2024.

Know your rights

Bookmark the Department of Transportation’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard, which lays out what airlines have guaranteed when your flight is delayed or canceled and it’s the airline’s responsibility.

Plus, remember your right to a refund: If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed and you ultimately choose not to travel — and don’t accept rebooking — you’re entitled to a refund, no matter the reason for the disruption.

And, new this fall, the airlines must now issue that refund promptly and automatically.

Learn your way around your airline’s app

Make sure you’ve downloaded your airline’s app and familiarized yourself with it.

Oftentimes, when there’s a delay or cancellation, your carrier can offer you rebooking options right on the mobile app with just a few taps of your finger.

Remember the TSA's 3-1-1 rule

To keep those TSA lines running smoothly, brush up on the agency’s rule for liquids in carry-on bags.

Cooking and bringing some holiday dishes with you?

“If you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it or pour it,” the TSA says, it is a liquid and must be packed in your checked bag if it exceeds the 3.4-ounce limit.

Solid foods — like cakes and other baked goods — are clear for carry-on.

TSA checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Make use of those travel credits

Finally, as you squeeze in that final trip of 2024, be sure to maximize any outstanding travel credits that might expire Dec. 31.

For example, you may have trip credit you received from an airline when you canceled a previous flight.

Or, you could have annual statement credits offered by a travel credit card sitting in your wallet. Some cards offer reimbursements for airline fees and other travel bookings, such as hotel stays. Many of these credits reset with the new year, so you'll want to maximize those between now and Dec. 31 to make sure you're getting the most out of your card in exchange for its annual fee.

Related reading:

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

at American Express's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.