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Many Americans plan more holiday travel in 2025 despite price concerns

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Many Americans plan more holiday travel in 2025 despite price concerns
Research
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Clint Henderson Managing editor | The Points Guy

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.

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The survey timing differed from last year’s: the 2025 poll was conducted in early September rather than October. This may influence some response patterns regarding planned travel.

Despite many travelers’ concerns about having waited too long, data shows that only 31% have completed all their arrangements so far. Among those who started booking, most report savings on hotels (51%), flights (42%), vacation rentals (34%), and rental vehicles (34%). However, prices for both Thanksgiving and Christmas flights are about 7% higher than last year according to Points Path data; fare drops are expected as prime booking windows approach in coming weeks.

Points Path is a browser extension that helps users compare cash fares with points-and-miles award rates in Google Flights by analyzing large amounts of search data on airline pricing trends.

One-third of travelers who feel they delayed booking cite waiting for lower prices or confirmation of plans with others as reasons. Experts recommend setting price alerts using tools like Google Flights and emphasize it is not too late to book holiday trips at reasonable rates.

The poll also highlights increased use of rewards programs: 88% of holiday travelers with points or miles plan redemptions this season—more often for hotels than airfare—and a majority intend greater use compared with last year. Enrollment in such programs has risen slightly since 2024.

When asked about priorities while traveling during the holidays, most respondents indicated price outweighed brand loyalty when choosing airlines or hotels.

Concerns about weather delays top traveler worries this season at 51%, up from last year's figure. Other issues include crowded airports (47%), flight delays or cancellations (32%), packing challenges (26%), lost luggage (26%), and transporting gifts (18%).

The Harris Poll surveyed over two thousand U.S. adults online in early September; results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

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