Holiday travel is more expensive than ever. According to the U.S. Travel Association, airline ticket prices have increased every month in 2026 and are up 19.9% since last December. Fuel is also 24.8% higher than a year ago and 41.5% more expensive than in July 2019.
The good news is that a little planning can go a long way. From adjusting your travel dates to cashing in loyalty rewards, these strategies can help you save money on holiday travel without sacrificing your plans.
6 easy ways to save money on holiday travel
As you begin making your holiday plans, there are several ways to make your travel costs more affordable.
Compare nearby airports
If you live within a reasonable driving distance of more than one airport, compare fares from each one before booking your holiday trip. Smaller regional airports can sometimes offer lower fares or cheaper parking. Similarly, larger hubs may have more competition between airlines and more nonstop flights, which can push ticket prices down.
You can do the same thing at your destination: flying into an airport a little farther from where you’re staying could save you hundreds on airfare. But keep in mind that those savings can disappear if you have to pay significantly more for transportation to your destination. So, be sure to compare the total cost — including gas, tolls, airport parking, public transportation, and rideshares — not just the airfare.
Set up price alerts
Airfare alerts can help you spot a better deal without constantly checking flight prices yourself. Set up alerts on price-tracking websites such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to be notified when there’s a sale or when fares for your travel dates are lower than usual.
But don’t wait too long to book; holiday travel rarely gets cheaper as you approach the end of the year.
Be flexible with travel plans
If you’re willing to be flexible with your travel dates, it could open up some more budget-friendly options. For example, flying on the holiday itself — such as Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day — can be cheaper than traveling the day or two before. Likewise, consider returning a day earlier or later than the typical rush.
You may even consider alternative transportation methods, such as a train or bus instead of a plane, or perhaps opting for a connecting flight that will extend your travel time, but cut your airfare costs significantly.
Take advantage of credit card perks
Travel credit cards offer points or miles that you can apply toward travel-related expenses, such as flights, hotel stays, and car rentals. But don’t overlook the other benefits your rewards card may offer.
Many travel cards offer free travel perks that can help you save even more on travel-related costs. These benefits may include:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Car rental insurance
- Free checked bags
- In-flight discounts on food or wi-fi
- Statement credits to cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees
Lean on your loyalty rewards programs
Being a loyal customer to a particular airline or hotel chain can have its perks. Many airlines, car rental companies, train and bus companies, hotels, and other travel-related companies offer free loyalty programs that reward regular customers with special rates, discounts, and more — without having to use a credit card.
You may qualify for benefits such as complimentary hotel breakfast, late checkout, or travel credits. These benefits won’t necessarily reduce the advertised price of your trip, but they can lower your overall holiday travel costs.
Additionally, if you’re planning on taking a road trip, signing up for a fuel rewards program can help you save money at the pump and on any convenience purchases at the gas station.
Open a holiday savings account
Saving money for holiday travel in increments — rather than charging everything to a credit card last minute — can ease the strain on your budget.
Some banks and credit unions offer accounts specifically designed for this purpose. Holiday savings accounts (also known as Christmas club accounts) encourage saving consistently throughout the year by limiting your ability to withdraw money until a specified date. Plus, they often come with lower fees and more competitive interest rates.
However, if you don’t like the idea of restricted access to your funds, setting up automatic contributions to a high-yield savings account can also work. You’ll earn interest on your balance, helping it grow faster. And when you’re ready to book an airline ticket or hotel stay, simply make a withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, the sweet spot for booking holiday flights (like Thanksgiving and Christmas) is between 1 to 3 months in advance. Prices rarely decrease as travel dates approach, so setting up price alerts early and booking as soon as you find a fare within your budget is best.
Yes. Airlines often see lower demand on the holiday itself because most travelers prefer to arrive before the festivities begin. Flying on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve can yield significantly cheaper tickets and smaller airport crowds.
It depends on ground transportation costs. Calculate the price of rental cars, rideshares, gas, tolls, or long-distance train/bus tickets from the alternate airport to your final destination. If ground transit costs eat up more than 70–80% of your airfare savings—or add excessive travel time—flying into the primary airport is usually the smarter choice.
It depends on the specific perk. Card-level benefits tied to your loyalty account (like a free checked bag on an airline co-branded card) usually apply regardless of how you paid. However, protection perks like trip cancellation/interruption insurance or secondary auto rental coverage strictly require you to charge the travel purchase to that specific card.
A specialized Holiday Savings Account (or Christmas Club account) often comes with withdrawal restrictions until a specified date late in the year, helping curb the temptation to spend the funds early. However, a standard High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) offers similar or better interest rates with full flexibility, making automated recurring transfers to an HYSA a great alternative.
Manoj Sharma is a Senior Writer on the banking team at Tax Assistant. He provides information on budgeting, bank accounts, the banking industry, and other related topics. Using original data and methodologies, he helps you identify the best financial institutions, accounts, and products tailored to your needs. Manoj holds a degree in Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse University. All articles are strictly reviewed and fact-checked by our panel of expert Chartered Accountants, including CA Devendra Saini, CA Nikhil Khunteta, and CA Ankit Goyal
