Book early to save on holiday travel in 2025
Thanksgiving and Christmas have just come and gone, but it’s never too early to plan your next holiday — especially if you want the most flexibility and save cash.
It goes without saying that peak travel periods – like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s – are in high demand. Booking early will often get you the best options for flights and length of stay.
The 2025 holiday season may be months away, but now is the time when many sought-after hotels and flights start to fill up. If you wait too long, you won’t miss out on the opportunity to travel, but you may face higher costs or limited availability.
Booking now can give you peace of mind and maximize your chances of scoring great deals.
Even if your plans aren’t finalized, it’s still a good idea to book some flights or accommodation options with flexible cancellation policies; after all, if you change your mind, you can always cancel and rebook elsewhere later.
Here’s how to approach 2025 vacation planning to get the best savings in cash, points and miles today.
Be flexible to maximize savings
Flexible rewards pricing has become the norm at more and more hotel chains in recent years, so you’ll often pay more points for stays during peak travel periods. If you can take advantage of the extra flexibility during these times, you can find great deals.
For example, booking a room at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar before December 20 can save you significant points compared to staying during peak holiday periods.
Adjusting your travel dates slightly can sometimes open the door to off-peak awards with flights and hotel stays.
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Use tools like Hyatt’s points calendar to identify the best redemption opportunities. the Chrome point path plug-in very useful when surfing Google Flights.
Just remember to act quickly when you find a deal because availability can disappear quickly, even early in the year.
Lock in your flights early and use airline change and cancellation policies
Most major airlines allow you to book flights about 330 to 365 days in advance. But this can vary by low-cost carrier – including Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
Here’s a breakdown of when we typically see bookings open with some major US airlines:
| Airlines | Reservation deadline |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | Maximum 330 days before departure date |
| loyal atmosphere | Six to nine months before departure date |
| American Airlines | Maximum 331 days before departure date |
| Delta Airlines | Maximum 331 days before departure date |
| Border Airlines | Five months before departure date |
| JetBlue Airways | Maximum 331 days before departure date |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Maximum 330 days before departure date |
| Southwest Airlines | Six to nine months before departure date |
| Spirit Airlines | 10 to 11 months before departure date |
| United Airlines | Maximum 330 days before departure date |
Airlines have become much more flexible with their change and cancellation policies, allowing you to book now with the confidence that you can change your trip later if you find one. go different.
Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees
Major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines offer free cancellation on award flights, meaning your points or miles will be refunded if your plans change.
Taxes and fees are often refunded to your original payment method, making it easier for you to adjust your itinerary without penalty.
If you have the money or points, booking multiple flight options in advance is a good strategy, and it can ensure you have plenty of options when the time comes.
Booking early also helps you secure better flight times and lower point costs; The number of available prizes tends to dwindle as the holidays get closer, and travelers are quick to scoop up deals as they become available.
Look for discounts
Don’t stop your search just because you’ve booked a lot. Even after booking your flight or hotel, keep an eye on prices. If you request a cash fare or reduced points, you can often rebook the ticket at a lower price and then cancel to receive a refund of the original booking.
Related: Airlines give you credits if airfare prices decrease
Airlines like Southwest make this especially easy by allowing you to reprice your flight online without having to cancel.
Other airlines may require the entire cancellation and rebooking process, but there are no change fees so the effort is worth it. Regularly monitoring your bookings can help you close the best deals possible.
Start earning points now
If your points balance is running low, the beginning of the year is a great time to apply your earning strategy for the rest of the year. It gives you plenty of time to build up your points balance before the final vacation booking time.
Related: How to earn 300,000+ points in 2025
For example, American Express offers some great travel cards with generous welcome bonuses and earning opportunities.
For example, American Express® Gold Card offers the ability to earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. With 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, this is a great option for people who often travel.
For those who want premium perks, American Express Platinum® Card is offering the ability to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months. Benefits include access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, free airport lounge access, and 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or on American Express Travel (purchases up to $500,000 per calendar year). Amex Platinum has an annual fee of $695 (see exchange rates and fees).
You can transfer Member reward points to Amex’s extensive list of air travel and hotel partners, including Delta and Marriott.
Of course, the number of prizes available and the number of points required are always subject to change. So, it’s best to have a plan on how to earn or transfer your desired points efficiently and quickly if needed.
Choose family-friendly accommodations early
Finding the perfect accommodation for your family is key to a successful vacation. Depending on the size of your brood, it can also be extremely complicated. Larger suites, villas and family resorts often sell out quickly, so booking early is essential.
In general, most major hotel chains and hotels will open reservations about 11 to 13 months in advance, which means now is the perfect time to book a room at most hotels.
| Hotel program | Reservation deadline |
|---|---|
| Accor Live unlimited | Up to 404 days in advance |
| Best Western Rewards | Up to 349 days in advance |
| Privilege of choice | Up to 100 days in advance for award bookings, 365 days for Preferred Hotels, and 50 weeks for paid stays |
| Hilton Title | Up to 365 days in advance |
| IHG One Rewards | Up to 365 days in advance |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Up to 354 days in advance |
| Radisson Rewards | Up to 730 days in advance |
| World of Hyatt | Up to 394 days in advance |
| Wyndham Rewards | Up to 364 days in advance |
Consider options like Club Med or all-inclusive resorts Disney Vacation Club hotel, which offers spacious rooms and many amenities for families. These high-end accommodations can be especially competitive during the holidays when using points.
Prioritize properties with flexible cancellation policies, allowing you to make adjustments as needed without financial penalty.
Bottom line
Demand for holiday travel continues to grow and destinations are booking faster than ever. Planning your Christmas vacation now ensures you get the best flights, accommodation and points redemption opportunities.
Take advantage of flexible booking policies and start earning points now to make your holiday travel both affordable and comfortable. Whether you dream of a sunny beach getaway, a snowy mountain escape or a cozy family getaway, planning early is your ticket to Christmas adventure. Memorable and budget-friendly birthday.
Related reading:
For rates and fees on the Platinum Card from American Express, please click This.
