Travel Tuesday could be considered commercialism’s latest lovechild, but the new holiday booking spree is also representative of consumers’ desires to spend money on experiences instead of physical belongings. An increasing number of us value experiences over materialism, seeking out new destinations instead of the latest hair dryer in a reverse of the Keeping up with the Joneses mentality.
“Studies continue to show that people are more interested in spending on experiences over things,” says Melanie Fish, vice president of global communications at Expedia Group. “That’s true in everyday life and certainly around the holidays.”
When is Travel Tuesday?
Travel Tuesday always falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the US, which is the fourth Thursday of November. This year, Travel Tuesday falls on December 3, 2024.
What are the best deals?
As with the best retail deals, it depends on what you’re looking for. Expedia is offering 30% off stays at select hotels (just be sure to book by December 4); at Booking.com, deals are as high as 50% off. On the cruise front, lines like Celebrity, MSC, Oceania, and HX are running offers, some of which extend into the first week or two of December, giving you a bit more time to finalize your plans. If you’re looking to book a tour, EF Go Ahead Tours is offering up to $800 off select packages for 2025 and 2026 trips.
Browse our list of the top Travel Tuesday sales to see even more deals on hotels, flights, cruises, packages, and tours.
The trips editors are booking on Travel Tuesday
Sarah Bannerman, UK commerce editor
“Even though the festive season is barely upon us, I’ve started thinking about where I want to go in January, and my first stop will be Paris, so I’ve found one of our top recommended city stays in the seasonal sales. Le Grand Mazarin is beautifully designed, so if the weather tells us to cozy up, we can do so in style. The following month I’m headed for some winter sun, and Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives is high on my list of places to stay–it looks idyllic and a true ‘once in a lifetime’ destination. Lastly, I’ll book somewhere more local for a long weekend in the English countryside. The Cotswolds and Cornwall are usually my go-to spots, and you can’t go wrong with a night or two at the picture-perfect Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired Cowley Manor.”
Amber Port, UK senior audience development manager