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Planning your next vacation? Here’s everything you need to know to make informed travel decisions, from booking timelines to the perks of using AAA Travel Agents:
Start planning your next adventure with ease. Explore expert tips and discover the best way to book your dream trip here.
Learn MoreIt’s a common dilemma: When making travel plans for the fall and end-of-year holidays, should you book your trip early to avoid missing out on flights, accommodations and venue admission, or wait until closer to your getaway in hopes of scoring a discount? Read on for insider recommendations, a recap of recent travel patterns and insights from a veteran AAA Travel Agent who helps members plan and book vacations.
According to Price Waterhouse Cooper’s Holiday Outlook 2025, 44% of U.S. consumers plan to travel during the holiday season. And AAA found that nearly 80 million Americans planned to travel over Thanksgiving in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and setting a record. Travel also surged during the 2024 holiday period, Dec. 21–Jan. 1, when more than 119 million Americans made plans. With anticipated high demand, booking early is recommended.
You’ll have access to a wider range of travel times, routes and accommodations and high-demand flights will still offer multiple price points. “Some people think airlines raise their prices for the holidays,” said AAA Travel Agent Tara Clemens. “But that’s not usually the case. When only expensive tickets are available, it’s because the airline has already sold out of the lower-priced seats. If you want a cheaper ticket for the holidays, the sooner you book, the better.”
Flights can be booked up to 330 days in advance, but Clemens cautions against booking too early unless you’re redeeming airline points. “When airlines first publish schedules, they might not have all fares listed. Waiting about a month ensures all options are loaded, not just the higher-cost seats.” With the exception of nonrefundable basic economy tickets, if you book early and the price drops later, you can request a trip credit. If the airline refuses, consider asking for a refund and rebook at the lower price.
Consider your travel window. Trips tied to a concert, parade or festival require precise timing, as do vacations during a school break. In both cases, Clemens advises booking as early as possible.
Although the best guidance will come from your travel agent, here are general timelines:
Not sure when to book your next vacation? Use our countdown calendar to find the best time to secure flights, hotels and cruises. Enter your travel date below and get personalized booking timelines to make your trip stress-free!
Book early with AAA to lock in exclusive deals and peace of mind. Our travel experts will help you save by bundling hotels, flights, cruises, tours and more.
AAA TripTik helps you plan road trips to millions of destinations. AAA Travel Agents can build custom itineraries to avoid peak times and congested routes. If issues arise before or during your trip, your agent will potentially be your first point of contact and can work to resolve them on your behalf.
If you haven’t heard, cruises are more in demand than ever. “Don’t wait to the last minute to book,” says Clemens. “To get the best pricing available, be flexible with your trip. And if you aren’t flexible, book in advance. Want to go on a river cruise next Christmas? Those cruises are almost full. On the other hand, an ocean cruise can hold 3 thousand people or more and won’t sell out as fast as the small ships that hold a few hundred.”
Flexible travel plans open the door to savings. If you’re willing to risk missing out, you can hold out for last-minute deals that airlines, hotels and tour operators sometimes offer. Traveling midweek can also lower costs, as Mondays through Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly. And if travel time is not a concern, flights with layovers are often cheaper than nonstop flights. “If you’re flexible, you can move your trip from one weekend to the next to take advantage of special offers or reduced prices,” Clemens said.
No matter how seamless their plans are, Clemens tells people, “There’s never a 100% guarantee when it comes to smooth travel.” That’s why she recommends travel insurance through AAA’s trusted partner, Allianz Global Assistance. It builds peace of mind by providing emergency medical assistance and financial reimbursements for covered situations such as illness, cancellations, postponements and other unforeseen setbacks.
Discover the answers to the 10 most common travel insurance questions and travel with confidence.
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A knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent can be a valuable resource when it comes to personalized trip planning. Agents draw upon their own expertise, member feedback, training and AAA resources to ensure you get the vacation that’s right for you. They can help you get exclusive member deals on hotels, car rentals, tours and more. If you’re taking a cruise on one of AAA’s preferred partners, you can get exclusive perks—things like onboard credits, welcome gifts in your room or excursion credits. Your AAA Travel Agent will also recommend an ideal itinerary, identify the best time to book and help you add can’t-miss experiences to your adventure.
Pressed for time or prefer planning online? Schedule a virtual appointment and connect instantly with an experienced travel agent from your phone, tablet or computer.
Keep it light and versatile! Pack lightly and bring clothing in layers that you can add or remove easily, ideal for adapting to changing temperatures.
Flying early in the day helps avoid cascading delays caused by earlier disruptions. Whenever possible, fly nonstop, or if you must connect, choose connecting airports carefully—monitoring weather forecasts can help you avoid potential delays.
Carry digital copies or photocopies of important travel documents—including those for children or others in your party—to ensure you have backups if originals are lost.
Anticipate delays may happen and plan your schedule accordingly.
Yes—plan extra travel time regardless of your mode of transportation and consider airport lounge access to stay comfortable during layovers or delays.
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