AAA: Holiday Travel Planning Begins Now

More than two-fifths of Michiganders delayed reserving a visit and later paid extra, AAA survey finds

Summary

AAA encourages vacationers to start planning vacation journeys now. A new AAA journey survey discovered that many vacationers delay reserving due to price range issues or hopes for decrease costs, but greater than two-fifths later pay greater than they’d have in the event that they booked earlier. Travelers who begin planning now sometimes have extra decisions and suppleness as they put together for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s journey.

Key Takeaways

· 21% of Michiganders start planning vacation journeys throughout September and October

· 42% have delayed reserving and later paid extra

· 47% delay reserving due to price range issues

· 35% await decrease costs

· Overspending is vacationers’ most typical planning remorse

NEWS RELEASE

DEARBORN, Mich., (September 15, 2026) — As Labor Day marks the unofficial finish of summer time, AAA says now could be the time for vacationers to start planning their Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

According to a new AAA journey survey, greater than one-fifth (21%) of Michiganders start planning vacation journeys throughout September and October, whereas solely 8% wait till November or December.

For many vacationers, price is driving these choices. The survey discovered that price range issues (47%) and ready for decrease costs (35%) are the main causes vacationers delay reserving journeys. Yet that technique usually backfires. More than two-fifths (42%) of residents mentioned they delayed reserving a visit and later paid greater than they’d have in the event that they booked earlier. Thirteen % paid considerably extra, whereas 29% paid considerably extra.

“Many travelers are hoping to find a better deal by waiting,” mentioned Adrienne Woodland, 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 price range and discovering the perfect worth are vacationers’ greatest sources of planning stress. Overspending is the commonest travel-planning remorse, adopted by ready too lengthy to e-book.

Why Do Travelers Wait to Book Trips?

· 47% cite price range issues

· 35% are ready for decrease costs

· 18% are ready for household or pals to commit

· 18% cite issues about climate or journey disruptions

What Are the Benefits of Booking Holiday Travel Early?

Starting early provides vacationers:

· More flight choices

· Greater lodge availability

· More trip package deal decisions

· More flexibility if plans change

· More time to check locations and pricing

· The capability to optimize difficult trip

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

How can Travelers Save Money on Holiday Travel?

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

· 55% cite fewer crowds

· 47% cite decrease costs

· 33% cite much less journey stress

What are the Best Holiday Travel Planning Tips?

· Establish a price range 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 along with your price range and priorities

When Should You Work with a Travel Agent?

Travelers planning complicated 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 kinds of journeys most definitely to immediate vacationers to hunt skilled help.

“Travelers are balancing price, flexibility, and peace of mind when planning vacations,” mentioned Woodland. “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 Michigan 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 Michigan.