Cyber Monday may be over, but when it comes to saving money on travel, the best deals are possible the next day.
Travel Tuesday, the lesser known of the post-Thanksgiving deal days, offers those planning a vacation or trip the chance to save big on the price of their plane ticket, hotel or cruise.
“You’re going to be amazed at the travel deal on Tuesday,” Lyndsey Schwimmer, consumer travel expert at airfare tracking site Hopper, told CBS News’ Kris Van Cleave. “We see more deals on this day than on Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.”
Hopper is credited with celebrating the first Travel Tuesday in 2017. Since then, the discount day has become increasingly popular among consumers. According to Hopper, the number of online searches has increased fivefold in the past two years.
The travel industry is also noticing this.
“We’re seeing Black Friday, Cyber Monday and now Travel deal Tuesday,” Schwimmer said. “We’re seeing travel brands across the industry offering big discounts on this day.”
According to Hopper, in 2023 there were almost twice as many travel deals on Travel Tuesday than on Cyber Monday or Black Friday. This year, travelers like Samantha Barker are hoping the online sales promotion continues to live up to its name.
“If there’s a deal I can get somewhere I haven’t been before, I definitely want to take advantage of the deal and book it,” Barker told Van Cleave.
Skeptics may dismiss Travel Tuesday as just another marketing ploy, but Schwimmer notes that the savings are very real.
For example, American Airlines offers domestic flights for less than $100, while Spirit Airlines covers 80% of base fares. Priceline offers 30% off flight and hotel bundles. Royal Caribbean cruise ship offers 60% discount for a second guest, free travel for children and up to $800 off base fares.
“Travel Deal Tuesday will really be the last day on which you can score a good deal on Christmas or New Year’s flights,” said Schwimmer.
Check before you book
As with any sales promotion, consumers should read the fine print before pulling the trigger. Many Travel Tuesday discounts may have specific travel periods and must be booked by December 3rd.
According to Hopper, consumers who are flexible about when and where they want to travel will have the most success in finding a good deal on Tuesday, a factor that bodes well for Barker.
“I want to log in, see what they look like and see where it takes me,” Barker said, adding that she likes a lot. “Who doesn’t?”
