Travel Tuesday: How to Spot Real Travel Bargains/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Travel Tuesday has become a major post-Thanksgiving sales event, with airlines and hotels offering limited-time deals. While the savings can be real, consumer experts warn that inflated prices and restrictive terms are common. Shoppers are urged to research before booking and avoid impulse purchases driven by marketing pressure.
Travel Tuesday Planning Tips: Quick Looks
- Travel Tuesday is the post-Cyber Monday travel sale day
- Airlines, hotels, cruises, and booking platforms offer one-day deals
- Experts say many deals are exaggerated or come with strings attached
- Watch for blackout dates, nonrefundable fares, and hidden fees
- Statement credits and perks often replace true discounts
- Price comparison and advance research are key to smart bookings
- Travel Tuesday originated from Hopper’s pricing analysis in 2017
- Booking trends show Travel Tuesday has outpaced Black Friday for trips
- Holiday season is slow for travel, making it a marketing opportunity
- Experts say skipping the deal entirely may sometimes be smarter
Deep Look: Travel Tuesday Lures Deal-Seekers—But Experts Warn to Shop Smart, Not Fast
NEW YORK (AP) — Following in the footsteps of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday, Travel Tuesday has carved out its niche as the go-to post-Thanksgiving day for scoring discounted vacations and airfare. Airlines, hotel chains, cruise lines, and travel sites push flash deals in hopes of filling empty seats and rooms for the months ahead.
But behind the appealing “up to 40% off” banners and countdown clocks, consumer experts say caution is essential.
Is That Deal Really a Deal?
Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet, urges travelers not to take Travel Tuesday discounts at face value.
“People see ‘40% off’ and assume it’s a steal, without recognizing that the base price may be inflated,” she said. In some cases, the same itinerary may have been cheaper just weeks earlier.
Instead of reacting impulsively to limited-time offers, French recommends that travelers research pricing trends beforehand and always read the fine print.
Red Flags to Watch
Experts advise watching out for:
- Blackout dates that exclude popular travel windows like Christmas or New Year’s
- Nonrefundable fares that offer no flexibility if plans change
- Resort fees and hidden charges that inflate the actual cost
- Double occupancy requirements or limited availability at the advertised price
- Upsell offers disguised as “free upgrades” or “included extras”
French explains that many companies keep their sticker prices high to preserve a luxury image, using perks, points, or bundles to appeal to deal-hungry shoppers.
“Add-on perks are the workaround. You feel like you’re getting a deal, but you might be paying the same—or more—than usual,” she said.
Impulse Buyers Beware
Lindsay Schwimer, consumer travel expert at Hopper, agrees: “Shoppers looking for last-minute holiday deals should especially watch for restrictions.” She also cautions against letting marketing pressure override smart planning.
French adds, “The best deal might be not booking anything at all if it doesn’t align with your calendar or travel goals.”
She recommends asking yourself three questions before hitting “book”:
- Would I travel on this trip even without the discount?
- Does it fit my schedule without stretching my budget?
- Have I compared this price to recent rates?
The Rise of Travel Tuesday
Travel Tuesday didn’t emerge from nowhere. The term was coined in 2017 by Hopper, after the company observed that the day after Cyber Monday consistently produced the most travel deals. Since then, the day has grown in popularity, and booking volume has surged.
“In 2024, nearly three times as many trips were planned on Travel Tuesday compared to Black Friday,” said Schwimer. “We expect that trend to keep growing as more brands get involved.”
Similar to how Cyber Monday was created in 2005 by the National Retail Federation to capitalize on e-commerce trends, Travel Tuesday gives the travel industry a dedicated space in the holiday shopping calendar. Small Business Saturday, launched by American Express in 2010, followed a similar model.
Travel Brands Fill the Holiday Lull
A McKinsey & Company report from 2024 described Travel Tuesday as a strategic “marketing moment” for airlines, hotels, and cruise lines, helping to drive bookings during what is typically a slow season for travel reservations.
Booking data showed a significant spike in sales on Travel Tuesday 2023, especially compared to the surrounding weeks. The trend is still largely North American, but experts predict the concept could expand into Europe and other regions, much like Black Friday and Cyber Monday have in recent years.
Today’s Savvier Consumer
Vivek Pandya, lead insights analyst at Adobe Analytics, believes shoppers in 2025 are more equipped than ever to analyze offers critically.
With AI-powered platforms, social media deal tracking, and influencer reviews, consumers can see more than just the sales pitch. “The journey is much more dynamic now,” Pandya said. “People can compare prices, reviews, and sentiment instantly before they book.”
Don’t Panic if You Miss Out
Both Pandya and French emphasize that Travel Tuesday isn’t the only chance to score a deal.
“We now have dozens of shopping ‘holidays’—from Amazon’s multiple Prime Days to spring and summer travel events,” French said. “If you skip Travel Tuesday, it doesn’t mean you missed your moment.”
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