Time to book holiday trips: Americans are finding deals, but are willing to pay more for convenience
It’s that time of year again: The holiday season is nearly upon us. Consider this your call to start booking those holiday trips.
As TPG has reported, the best time to book flights for Thanksgiving trips is now, and trips for Christmas should be booked around Halloween and by mid-November at the latest — at least if you want a bargain.
And many Americans are planning to travel for the holidays and finding deals, according to a new poll commissioned by TPG and conducted by The Harris Poll.
Travelers have lots to say on price vs. convenience
TPG commissioned the survey to learn more about travelers' plans for the holidays, how they are paying for trips, and how they are using points and miles to make those trips more affordable.
According to our findings, more than half of Americans (51%) plan to travel this holiday season, and just over half of those travelers (55%) will be flying. A small majority (56%) have already started booking trips.
A whopping 91% of travelers who started booking their holiday travel already say they scored savings this year. That’s music to our ears.
In fact, 69% of those holiday travelers surveyed who plan to fly said price is a bigger priority than flying a particular airline, so loyalty isn’t playing as big a role for about two-thirds of the polled holiday travelers as it might for us at TPG.
Just over three-quarters of holiday travelers (76%) have some type of points or miles rewards card or are a member of a points or miles program, and among those people, nearly 9 in 10 (88%) say they’ll use those rewards for their travel this holiday season.
Still, nearly 4 in 5 (79%) holiday travelers with rewards points or miles say they would rather skip redeeming those points and miles if it means getting a better deal.
Those folks may be on to something, as our 2024 holiday airfare special report found using miles for peak-season holiday flights does not generally offer the best value for those miles.
We recruited our friends at Points Path to help us find some fascinating data. Using 7.2 million pieces of data, we found that generally, there are big jumps in the number of miles you’d need to book holiday flights.
Meanwhile, the Harris Poll-TPG survey found that consumers want to keep it simple, with nearly 3 in 4 holiday travelers agreeing that it is worth it to pay more for convenience during the holidays. That’s a whopping 73% of travelers.
Sixty-four percent of holiday travelers say they plan to earn rewards with their holiday travel this year.
It’s not too late to book holiday travel
More than 2 in 5 of the holiday travelers we polled (44%) said they hadn’t yet booked any of their holiday travel. The good news is that there’s still time to score good deals.
The Points Guy recommends booking domestic flights one to two months in advance. You should have already set a Google Flights alert, but now is the time to book Thanksgiving trips, and you should book Christmas travel around Halloween.
According to the Harris Poll-TPG survey, about 1 in 3 travelers who feel they’ve waited too long to book holiday travel say it’s because they were waiting for prices to go down (35%) or waiting to confirm plans with friends and family (33%).
But as we’ve suggested, it’s not too late to book those flights.
It could still make sense to use points and miles
Of course, while it might not always be the best use of points and miles, using rewards for holiday travel could still be your best bet, especially if cash prices are high.
The Harris Poll-TPG survey found that more holiday travelers with rewards points or miles are planning to use their rewards for hotels (54%) than for airfare (29%) this year.
That’s why those of us at TPG love having a stash of points and miles, whether you plan to use them for the holidays, last-minute emergencies or for that once-in-a-lifetime trip in business class. It’s always good to have a stash.
Related: Credit cards that can get you $1,000 or more in first-year value
This is a big reason why TPG is very much against the proposed Credit Card Competition Act, which a group of lawmakers is trying to push through Congress. If passed, it would very likely lead to drastic cuts — or worse — to credit card rewards programs ... and the travel dreams they help unlock. You can find more information on that here.
Travelers are worried about delays and cancellations
Finally, we found that 85% of those planning travel have some concerns. Nearly half (47%) are worried about large crowds of travelers, 43% are worried about potential weather delays, 27% are worried about delays and cancellations, and 23% are worried about lost luggage.
Never fear, however: TPG is here with all the tips and tricks you need to stay sane over the holidays.
Related reading:
- The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
- The best airline credit cards
- What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
Survey method: This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Points Guy from Oct. 3-7, 2024, among 2,085 U.S. adults (18 and older), among whom 1,069 are planning to travel this holiday season. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.