Holiday travel 2025: Prices are higher year over year, but don't wait much longer to book
- Prices are higher year over year for holiday travel.
- Right now is the best booking window, before prices start rising quickly.
- Set Google Flights alerts and carefully monitor prices.
Our final report on holiday airfare trends suggests prices are higher year over year.
Prices for both Thanksgiving and Christmas trips are higher this year than last year, but we don't expect prices to drop much more. We are now in the sweet spot when prices aren't too high and aren't likely to get lower.
Right now is traditionally the best booking window for holiday trips.
New data from our friends at Points Path shows fares are higher for the holidays across the board year over year. Points Path is a free web browser extension that shows points and miles award prices in Google Flights, along with cash fares. Points Path uses reams of search data to better understand how airlines are currently pricing flights.
Related: How to use the Points Path extension to compare cash and award rates in Google Flights
Right now, prices are between 1% and 4% higher year over year for domestic trips during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Our best advice is to book now if you see a deal, and set Google Flights price alerts to monitor the flights you are looking at or have already booked. If the price drops, remember that you can get a trip credit for the fare difference (provided you didn't book basic economy).
2025 prices for Thanksgiving travel
On Oct. 19, we collected data on more than 100,000 flights with economy fares during Thanksgiving week, along with search data for international coach and premium cabins.
Overall, coach prices within the U.S. are up by more than 3% year over year to about $586. Business-class and premium economy prices are down slightly year over year.
International prices are up 3% year over year in the coach cabin, though we are seeing cheaper prices for premium cabins. That may be the best news from this report. If you want to travel in business class or first class, we are seeing substantial savings year over year.
This data also contradicts pricing trends for the whole year to date; fares have generally been lower across the board until now.
Related: New data confirms steep drop in Labor Day weekend airfare
TPG recommends booking domestic airfare one to two months ahead of travel, so prices are not likely to come down in the next few weeks.
Right now, the Points Path data shows the cheapest day to travel during Thanksgiving week is Thanksgiving Day itself, with an average airfare of about $470. If you leave early that week (like on Monday), you'll find the average fare is $537. The second-lowest airfare is for the day after Thanksgiving at $517.
Not surprisingly, the most expensive travel days are the weekend after Thanksgiving, with Saturday at $698 and Sunday at $802.
Related: The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare in 2025
2025 prices for Christmas travel
Prices for Christmas flights show similar trends, with domestic economy flights costing an average of about $639 compared to about $633 in 2024. Premium cabins show even steeper price increases.
International fares are slightly lower year over year so far, at an average of $1,258. International business-class trips are an exception, as they are just under 1% higher on average.
Right now is really the best booking window before prices start rising quickly. Remember to set those flight alerts and start monitoring prices. You will probably want to pull the trigger by Halloween for Thanksgiving trips; for Christmas, plan on being booked a week or two after Halloween at the latest. Prices will likely increase quickly from then.
TPG and Points Path data shows that the cheapest day to travel during the Christmas holidays is Christmas Eve, with an average airfare of about $530. If you can travel on New Year's Eve, that is the other cheapest day, with an average airfare of $528.
The most expensive days are Saturday, Dec. 20, when the average price is $851, and Friday, Dec. 26, at $815.
Best time to book flights
It's a myth that you can get better prices by waiting until Tuesday at midnight or some other special time of day or week to book. But you can often get a better deal if you fly midweek or are willing to travel on weekends, especially Saturday. Generally, there is less business travel during those days, so you'll get better deals.
Typically, you'll want to book domestic flights one to two months ahead of time. Traditionally, we've seen the best prices for Thanksgiving travel in October.
The booking windows for international trips are a bit earlier. You should book international travel three to five months ahead of time.
Remember that if you're using airline miles, it's never too soon to start checking and booking. We usually find the best availability for business class when schedules open, or within a few days before the trip, though your mileage may vary.
For domestic redemptions, it's a bit more dynamic. TPG suggests booking when you can find a "good enough" redemption and then monitoring prices. Remember, as long as you haven't booked basic economy, you should be able to cancel and get your miles back if you find a better deal.
I strongly encourage folks to set Google Flights alerts and carefully monitor prices. Points Path can also monitor airline award prices and alert you to changes.
If you are booking with an airline that will give you a flight credit if the cash price drops, you might also want to lock in a lower cash or miles price now if you see a travel time you really want to be sure to lock in. Then, if the price drops, you can call the airline and get a trip credit for the difference (just don't book basic economy).
Related: How to get money back on your flights
More hacks for cheaper travel
I've written extensively about how to save money on travel, but my top tips remain the same:
- Price out vacation packages with companies like American Airlines Vacations.
- Use Google Flights Explore to find the cheapest destinations from your home airport.
- Set price alerts on Google Flights and track prices.
- Book now and rebook later if the prices drop (don't try this with basic economy fares).
- Use award booking tools (like Points Path).
- Be flexible with your dates.
- Consider alternative airports.
Bottom line
Prices are currently higher year over year for most air travel around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. But that doesn't matter at this point — it's time to book. The next few weeks are the best time to book flights for the holidays.
Set those price alerts and plan to book Thanksgiving trips by Halloween at the latest and Christmas trips by mid-November at the latest. Or, just use those points and miles.
Related reading:
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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.Pros
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- 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.
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| 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. |
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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
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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.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.