Chris O'Shea
The holidays are almost here, so you’re likely already mapping out travel plans. In doing so, you’re also probably sweating how to afford everything you want to do. Here are some ways to save on holiday travel.
Use Points and Rewards
Have you been using your credit card rewards wisely? Well, make all those points count for something. If your credit card offers travel rewards points, now is the time to use them. Using miles or points to book flights can save you a significant amount. If you have airline miles racked up, cash them in for more affordable holiday flights.
Book Early
Holiday award seats go quickly, but many airlines release award inventory:
- 11 months out (from your trips) for many carriers
- Additional batches 3–6 months out
- A final release 2–3 weeks before travel (less reliable)
Tip: Set up notifications or alerts for award availability using tools like Google Flights or other point-tracking tools.
Consider Using Points for Hotels
While airline pricing increases dramatically during the holidays, hotel award rates are typically more stable. Look into good value programs from these hotels:
- Hyatt
- Marriott Bonvoy
- IHG One Rewards
Leverage Airline Sweet Spots
Some airlines have better rates for certain routes around holiday travel. Here are a few:
- British Airways Avios for short-haul domestic flights
- Air Canada Aeroplan for international routes
- Southwest Rapid Rewards for flexible domestic holiday travel
- JetBlue TrueBlue for Northeast + Caribbean
Tip: If your travel dates are flexible, these can save a lot of points.
Be Flexible
Flying on off-peak days is always an easy way to save money. It is usually cheaper to fly from Thursday to Monday than from Friday to Sunday. You can also save a lot of money on flights by traveling on the day of the holiday.
Using points doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Travel flexibility can work in your favor.
- Check nearby airports for more travel options
- Look at departing 1–2 days before/after peak dates
- Consider red-eye flights to get the price you need
Pack Snacks
If you’re flying for the holidays, consider bringing snacks to the airport. Airports charge an arm and a leg for food, so a little forethought and planning can go a long way.
Hit the Open Road
Travel around the holidays can be price-prohibitive for many people. With so much demand for flights, airline prices go up around holiday time. But that doesn’t mean your holiday travel plans are cancelled. Weather permitting, driving to and from your holiday destinations can save a lot of money. You can take your own vehicle or look at other options. Here are a few tips to help:
- Car Rentals. Compare car rentals from the airport vs off-airport (sometimes as much as 50% cheaper).
- Public Transit. If staying in a walkable destination, skip rental cars and use public transit or rideshares.
Get the Insurance
To protect yourself from any unforeseen emergencies that might happen during your travels, consider travel insurance.
- Insurance Carrier. Check with the home and auto insurance company about any travel insurance they offer. It may just be a quick add to your current policy to give you travel peace of mind.
- Credit Card. Look into travel insurance offered through your credit card. Having insurance can really help if you get into a travel bind.
Do One Thing: If you are flying, schedule your holiday visit so that you can fly on off-peak days, like a Wednesday to a Saturday.
Jean Chatzky
