Travel Tuesday has officially arrived on December 2, 2025, marking the biggest travel shopping day of the year. Following closely behind Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this 24-hour event delivers the deepest discounts on flights, hotels, cruises, and vacation packages—with savings that often surpass the entire Cyber Week combined. This comprehensive guide reveals not only the hottest Travel Tuesday deals but also proven strategies to maximize your savings year-round.
What Is Travel Tuesday and Why Does It Matter?
Created by flight-booking app Hopper in 2017, Travel Tuesday (also known as Travel Deal Tuesday) has evolved into a major shopping phenomenon in the travel industry. According to Hopper, the 24-hour period sees three-and-a-half times more trips planned compared to an average day throughout the year, with discounts of up to 50 percent available on flights, hotels and other travel services.
Travel Deal Tuesday sees more deals than any other day in the post-Thanksgiving shopping period, with travelers scoring discounts up to 50 percent off flights, hotels and more—featuring two to three times as many deals compared to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
For budget-conscious travelers, this means one crucial thing: December 2nd is the single best day to book your 2026 vacations at unbeatable prices.
Top Travel Tuesday 2025 Deals You Can Still Book
Airlines Offering Major Discounts
Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines is offering 60 percent off base fares with code 60PCT for flights booked on December 2, 2025, valid for travel between December 9, 2025, and March 4, 2026, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays only.
American Airlines American Airlines is offering great deals on one-way flights within the U.S. through December 2, with reservations valid from November 28 through December 2, 2025, for travel from January 6, 2026 to February 11, 2026.
Amtrak Travelers can get up to 25 percent off tickets booked from November 28 through December 3, 2025, for travel between January 5 and March 15, 2026, with routes including Baltimore to New York as low as $60 each way and Chicago to Los Angeles as low as $130 each way.
Hotel Chains & Accommodations
IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG One Rewards members save 25 percent and everyone else saves 20 percent for stays through March 31, 2026, when booked by December 4, 2025.
Marriott Bonvoy Marriott Bonvoy members can save 25 percent at 7,000+ participating hotels through December 2, with stays available from November 30, 2025, through February 2026.
Expedia Expedia is offering deals for bookings made by December 2, 2025, for stays between November 18, 2025, and December 30, 2026, with member-only hotel rates and OneKeyCash rewards.
Cruise Lines
MSC Cruises MSC is offering select sailings from $199, up to $1,000 in onboard credit, plus kids sail for free.
Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian is offering 50 percent off on all cruises.
Royal Caribbean Royal Caribbean is offering up to $1,000 off, plus third and fourth guests sail free.
Vacation Rental & Booking Platforms
Kayak Deals on hotels and flights under $59 available throughout Travel Tuesday.
Priceline Take an extra 20 percent off 2026 getaways, up to 60 percent off packages and up to 50 percent off select rental cars.
Travelocity Save 30 percent or more on select hotels when you book by December 3.
Proven Strategies for Finding Cheap Flights Year-Round
While Travel Tuesday offers incredible one-day deals, savvy travelers know that finding cheap flights requires a strategic approach throughout the year. Here are expert-backed strategies that consistently deliver savings.
Strategy 1: Timing Is Everything—But Not How You Think
The Tuesday Booking Myth Debunked Travel experts emphasize that the old advice about booking on Tuesday at 2 p.m. is outdated: “Twenty-plus years ago, airlines used to load their schedules onto the internet once a week so that Tuesday myth might have been true then, but these days, algorithms are so much more sophisticated”.
When to Actually Book Research shows optimal booking windows vary by trip type:
- Domestic flights: Book 1-3 months in advance
- International flights: Book 3-6 months ahead
- Holiday travel: Start monitoring in August, book by mid-October
For Christmas trips, the lowest prices are usually 32 to 73 days before the holiday, with experts recommending booking no later than Halloween for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Best Days to Fly While there's no perfect day to book, there are cheaper days to fly: midweek flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays tend to be cheaper than weekend flights when business and leisure travelers dominate.
Strategy 2: Master Price Tracking Tools
The most effective way to find deals is using multiple tracking platforms simultaneously:
Essential Flight Search Tools
- Google Flights: Offers flexible date searches, price tracking, and the Explore map feature showing cheapest destinations from your airport
- Skyscanner: Allows searching “Everywhere” as a destination, perfect for flexible travelers
- Hopper: Provides predictions on whether prices will rise or fall
- Kayak: Compares prices across multiple booking sites
- Momondo: Displays visual price trends making it easy to identify savings opportunities
Set Up Fare Alerts Configure price alerts on multiple platforms. When combined, these tools provide comprehensive coverage of fare fluctuations, ensuring you never miss a deal.
Strategy 3: Embrace Flexibility
According to travel experts, “The best tried and true method of getting low airfares is to travel to destinations at lower demand times when fewer people are clamoring to go to the same place”.
Flexible Date Searching Use the “whole month” view on Google Flights or Skyscanner to identify the cheapest travel dates within your desired timeframe. Sometimes shifting your trip by just one or two days can save hundreds of dollars.
Alternative Airports Consider flying into or out of nearby airports. For example, instead of flying directly into an expensive gateway city, book a cheaper flight to a larger hub and then take a budget airline or train to your final destination.
Off-Peak Travel Waiting until September after Labor Day Weekend results in average domestic ticket prices that are nearly $100 cheaper than during peak summer, or $200 cheaper in mid-October for international flights.
Strategy 4: Advanced Booking Techniques
Split Ticketing (Hacker Fares) Sometimes booking two separate one-way tickets from different airlines costs less than a traditional roundtrip. Many booking platforms now automatically suggest these combinations.
Positioning Flights If your local airport has expensive fares, book a cheap flight to a major hub city first, then catch a discounted international flight from there.
Mix and Match Routes Consider flying into one city and departing from another. Open-jaw tickets can unlock significant savings while adding flexibility to your itinerary.
Strategy 5: Leverage Loyalty Programs and Credit Cards
Airline Miles and Points Sign up for frequent flyer programs with major airlines and use travel credit cards that offer bonus miles for everyday purchases. Redeem strategically during off-peak seasons for maximum value.
Credit Card Perks Premium travel credit cards often provide:
- Bonus points on travel purchases
- Statement credits for airline fees
- Priority boarding and free checked bags
- Access to airport lounges
Strategy 6: Avoid Common Booking Traps
The Incognito Mode Debate Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that searching incognito leads to cheaper deals—this is one of many myths that persist despite being debunked.
Last-Minute Bookings While occasional last-minute deals exist, waiting too long is a high-risk strategy: “Business travelers often need to book at the last minute and are insensitive to prices, since their company is paying and the trip isn't optional. Airlines know this, and take advantage by raising their prices as the departure date approaches”.
Reading the Fine Print Always check for:
- Baggage fees (which can add $60-120 per roundtrip)
- Seat selection charges
- Change and cancellation policies
- Basic Economy restrictions
How to Maximize Your Travel Tuesday Savings
Before Travel Tuesday
- Create a wishlist of destinations you want to visit in 2026
- Set up price alerts for your target routes weeks in advance
- Join airline and hotel loyalty programs to access member-only deals
- Research typical prices so you can recognize genuine discounts
- Prepare your payment information for quick checkout
On Travel Tuesday
- Start early: Many deals go live at midnight or early morning
- Act quickly: The best offers often sell out within hours
- Read terms carefully: Check blackout dates, travel restrictions, and booking windows
- Compare platforms: Sometimes the same hotel or flight is cheaper on different booking sites
- Stack discounts: Combine Travel Tuesday deals with credit card rewards and loyalty program benefits
After Travel Tuesday
- Continue monitoring prices: Some platforms extend deals into December 3rd
- Set alerts for missed deals: Prices occasionally drop again in January
- Plan your next moves: Use lessons learned to prepare for future booking opportunities
Insider Tips from Travel Experts
Don't Overlook Budget Airlines While major carriers dominate Travel Tuesday headlines, budget airlines often offer competitive deals year-round. Just factor in baggage fees and seat selection costs when comparing.
Consider Package Deals Priceline offers up to 60 percent off packages, which bundle flights and hotels for additional savings. These packages sometimes beat booking separately, especially for popular destinations.
Travel Light to Save More Checking bags typically costs $30-60 each way. By traveling with only a carry-on, you can save $60-120 per roundtrip while also taking advantage of basic economy fares.
Use Travel Deal Newsletters Sign up for newsletters from Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), Thrifty Traveler, and airline-specific lists to receive deal alerts directly in your inbox.
Common Travel Tuesday Questions Answered
Is Travel Tuesday better than Black Friday for travel deals? Yes. Travel Deal Tuesday typically features two to three times as many deals compared to Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, with deeper discounts specifically on travel products.
Can I book Travel Tuesday deals for any travel dates? Most deals have specific travel windows, typically spanning from January through March 2026, with blackout dates around major holidays.
Do I need to be a loyalty program member to access deals? While many of the best discounts are available to everyone, loyalty program members often receive additional percentage points off or exclusive access to certain promotions.
Will prices drop further after Travel Tuesday? Possibly, but it's risky to wait. Travel Tuesday represents the industry's coordinated effort to offer the year's best deals. Post-holiday sales in January occasionally offer good values, but Travel Tuesday typically delivers the deepest discounts.
The Psychology of Travel Tuesday: Why It Works
McKinsey & Company research suggests Travel Tuesday was created by travel firms as an effort to create a “marketing moment” around what was previously a quiet period for travel bookings. This strategic timing—falling between the holiday shopping frenzy and year-end travel lull—creates urgency while capitalizing on consumers' deal-hunting mindset.
The success of Travel Tuesday benefits both consumers and the travel industry:
- For travelers: Concentrated deals make comparison shopping easier and create genuine savings opportunities
- For companies: The event drives bookings during a traditionally slow period and helps fill inventory for upcoming shoulder seasons
Final Thoughts: Making Travel Tuesday Work for You
Travel Tuesday 2025 represents an unparalleled opportunity to lock in significant savings on your 2026 travel plans. With record shopping and booking activity seeing 3.5 times more trips planned compared to an average day, millions of travelers are taking advantage of these limited-time offers.
However, the savviest travelers don't rely solely on one annual shopping event. By combining Travel Tuesday deals with year-round strategies—flexible dates, price tracking tools, loyalty programs, and smart booking techniques—you can consistently find affordable flights and accommodations whenever you're ready to explore.
The key is staying informed, acting decisively on genuine deals, and maintaining flexibility in your travel plans. Whether you're booking a domestic weekend getaway or an international adventure, these strategies will help you travel more while spending less.
Start by browsing today's Travel Tuesday deals, but keep these proven strategies in your back pocket for every future booking. After all, the best travel deal is the one that gets you to your dream destination without breaking the bank.
Ready to start saving? Visit your favorite booking platforms now before the best Travel Tuesday 2025 deals disappear. Happy travels!
