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A recent survey by The Harris Poll for The Points Guy indicates that many Americans believe they have missed the best opportunity to book holiday travel, but industry experts say there is still time to secure good deals. According to the data, the optimal window for booking Thanksgiving flights falls between late September and late October, while Christmas travel should ideally be booked around Halloween and no later than mid-November.
The poll found that 65% of Americans plan to travel during the holiday season this year, an increase from 51% last year. Younger generations, including Generation Z and millennials, are more likely than older groups to intend to travel and are almost twice as likely to plan international trips compared to Generation X and baby boomers.
Of those who intend to travel over the holidays, most (83%) expect to visit family or friends. More than half (55%) also plan a vacation during this period. Sixty percent of travelers say they will fly, with domestic flights accounting for half of these plans—up from 44% in 2024—and international flights representing just over a quarter.
