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Travel Tuesday 2024: Here's when it is and how to snag the best deals

By Kelly Hayes
Published  November 8, 2024 7:27am PST
Consumer
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Black Friday has always provided plenty of headlines, both good and bad. Here's a look at how crazy things got over the last few decades before the internet settled everyone down.

The Brief

    • Forget Black Friday. We have a shopping event gaining steam among American consumers known as "Travel Tuesday."
    • Travel Tuesday is a day to find deals on travel purchases like hotels, cruises, and flights.
    • This year, it falls on Dec. 3, 2024.

Americans are very familiar with Black Friday. In fact, it garnered so much attention that it sparked similar consumer-focused "holidays" like Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and now, Travel Tuesday. 

Travel Tuesday is a day to find deals on travel purchases like hotels, cruises, and flights, according to a recent report by McKinsey & Company, a consulting firm. The day’s origins have been credited to the online-booking platform Hopper.

Google search volume for the term "Travel Tuesday" has been growing since 2021, showing a more than fivefold increase over a two-year period, the report showed. And interest appears to be largely concentrated in the U.S. and Canada.

Last year, Travel Tuesday saw "notable increases" in bookings for hotels, cruises, and airline flights by U.S. travelers, compared with the two weeks before and the two weeks after, according to the report, citing data from the travel marketing platform Sojern.

U.S. traveler bookings during Travel Tuesday 2023 showed a preference for destinations" that are closely linked with resort accommodations," the report said. This includes destinations like Nassau, Bahamas, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 

FILE - Royal Caribbeans Utopia of the Seas dwarfs the older cruise ship Vision of the Seas as both are seen docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise lines private island resort in the Bahamas, on July 16, 2024, during a preview sailing from Flori

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"One explanation could be that travelers are in search of discounted package deals on Travel Tuesday, and resort offerings are often tied to such package deals," the report said.

Here’s what to know about Travel Tuesday, and how to get the best deals:

When is Travel Tuesday?

Travel Tuesday comes five days after Thanksgiving, which is Dec. 3, 2024. 

The days preceding it have been dubbed Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.

Travel Tuesday: How to snag deals

There are some ways consumers can make sure to snag the best deals, according to Sunset Magazine, a lifestyle and travel magazine. 

Some tips include:

  • Setting alerts: Use fare alerts on airline and travel sites to monitor price drops for specific routes.
  • Be flexible on dates: Leaving mid-week or during off-peak times can allow significant savings.
  • Book directly through airlines or hotels: This can sometimes bring exclusive discounts and perks.
  • Bundle travel: Package deals that combine flights, hotels, and car rentals can bring additional savings.
  • Fly to alternative airports: Check nearby airports for better fares.
  • Loyalty programs: Sign up for airline and hotel loyalty programs to earn points and bonuses.

The Source

  • This story was written based on information published by McKinsey & Company in a report dated Oct. 31, 2024. It includes information shared by Hopper, as well as Sunset Magazine on Nov. 6, 2024. It was reported from Cincinnati.