Holiday Travel Planning begins Now

By Montrae Waiters, Public & Government Relations Consultant for AAA – The Auto Club Group

As Labor Day marks the unofficial finish of summer season, AAA says now could be the time for vacationers to start planning their Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

According to a brand new AAA journey survey, virtually 3 in 10 (29%) Georgians start planning vacation journeys throughout September and October, whereas solely 9% wait till November or December.

For many vacationers, value is driving these selections. The survey discovered that finances considerations (46%) and ready for decrease costs (35%) are the main causes vacationers delay reserving journeys. Yet that technique typically backfires. Nearly half (49%) of residents mentioned they delayed reserving a visit and later paid greater than they might have in the event that they booked earlier. Seventeen % paid considerably extra, whereas 32% paid considerably extra.

“Many travelers are hoping to find a better deal by waiting,” mentioned Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unfortunately, our survey shows that strategy doesn’t always pay off. Travelers don’t need to book the first itinerary they find, but this is a good time to start researching options, comparing prices and making decisions before choices become more limited.”

The survey additionally discovered that staying inside finances and discovering the most effective worth are vacationers’ largest sources of planning stress. Overspending is the most typical travel-planning remorse, adopted by ready too lengthy to e-book.

Why Do Travelers Wait to Book Trips?

·       23% cite considerations about climate or journey disruptions

·       25% are ready for household or pals to commit

·       35% are ready for decrease costs

·       46% cite finances considerations

What Are the Benefits of Booking Holiday Travel Early?

Starting early provides vacationers:

·       More flight choices

·       Greater lodge availability

·       More trip bundle decisions

·       More flexibility if plans change

·       More time to match locations and pricing

·       The potential to optimize difficult trip

Letting a Travel Advisor know your trip pursuits early, will enable them to observe for offers and obtainable choices, that vacationers don’t see in any other case. Travelers contemplating worldwide holidays, cruises, or multi-country itineraries might also profit from skilled journey planning help. According to the survey, these are the varieties of journeys probably to immediate vacationers to work with a journey advisor.

How can Travelers Save Money on Holiday Travel?

Travelers trying to stretch their budgets might also profit from avoiding peak vacation journey intervals. Among vacationers preferring taking vacation holidays earlier than or after the precise vacation week:

·       35% cite much less journey stress

·       38% cite extra flexibility

·       47% cite decrease costs

·       52% cite fewer crowds

What are the Best Holiday Travel Planning Tips?

·       Establish a finances earlier than reserving

·       Compare a number of journey dates

·       Consider touring earlier than or after peak vacation weeks

·       Set worth alerts and monitor fare modifications

·       Book as soon as the itinerary aligns together with your finances and priorities

When Should You Work with a Travel Agent?

Travelers planning advanced holidays, cruises, worldwide or multi-country itineraries, or household journeys could profit from working with a journey agent. AAA’s journey survey discovered that worldwide holidays and multi-country itineraries are the varieties of journeys probably to immediate vacationers to hunt skilled help.

“Travelers are balancing price, flexibility, and peace of mind when planning vacations,” mentioned Waiters. “A travel agent can help travelers compare options, maximize value, and understand important considerations before booking, especially for more complicated itineraries.”

About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey

The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was performed on-line amongst 400 Georgia residents from August 5–13, 2026. Survey outcomes requested for all respondents have a most margin of error of ± 4.9 share factors. Responses are weighted by age and gender to make sure dependable and correct illustration of the grownup inhabitants (18+) in Georgia.