Book early to save on holiday travel in 2025

Thanksgiving and Christmas have only just come and gone, but it’s never too early to plan for the next holiday period — especially if you want the most flexibility and cash savings.

It goes without saying that peak travel periods — like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s — are in high demand. Booking early will usually lock in the best options for flights and stays.

The 2025 holiday season may be months away, but now is when many sought-after hotels and flights start filling up. If you wait too long, you won’t miss your chance to travel, but you will likely face higher costs or limited availability.

Booking now can give you peace of mind and maximize your chances of snagging great deals.

Even if your plans aren’t finalized, it’s still worth reserving a few flights or stay options with flexible cancellation policies; after all, if you change your mind, you can always cancel and rebook elsewhere later.

Here’s how to approach 2025 holiday planning to get the best cash, points and miles savings now.

Be flexible to maximize savings

Dynamic award pricing has become standard across more and more hotel chains in recent years, so you’ll often pay more points for stays during peak travel times. If you can leverage extra flexibility during these periods, you can find great deals.

For example, booking a stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar before Dec. 20 can save you significant points compared to staying during the peak holiday period.

Adjusting your travel dates slightly can sometimes open up off-peak award availability with flights and hotel stays.

Use tools like Hyatt’s points calendar to identify the best redemption opportunities. The Points Path Chrome plug-in is helpful when surfing Google Flights.

Just remember to act quickly when you find a deal because availability can disappear fast, even this early in the year.

Lock flights in early and use airline change and cancellation policies

Most major airlines allow you to book flights about 330 to 365 days in advance. But this can vary with budget airlines — including Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Here’s a breakdown of when we generally see bookings open with some of the major U.S. airlines:

Airlines have become much more flexible with their change and cancellation policies, allowing you to book now with confidence that you could change your trip later if you find something else.

Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees

Major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines offer no-fee cancellations on award flights, meaning your points or miles will be refunded if your plans change.

Taxes and fees are typically refunded to your original payment method, making it even easier to adjust your itinerary without penalty.

If you have the cash or points, booking multiple flight options ahead of time is a good strategy, and it can ensure you have plenty of options when the time comes.

Booking early also helps you secure better flight times and lower points costs; award availability tends to dwindle closer to the holidays, and travelers snag deals quickly when they’re released.

Look for price drops

Don’t stop your searches simply because you’ve already booked a great deal. Even after booking your flights or hotel stays, keep an eye on prices. If cash fares or points requirements drop, you can often rebook them at a lower rate and then cancel to get a refund on your original booking.

Related: Airlines that offer you a credit if the price of airfare drops

Airlines like Southwest make this particularly easy by allowing you to reprice your flight online without needing to cancel.

Other airlines may require a full cancellation and rebooking process, but with no change fees, the effort is worth it. Regularly monitoring your reservations can help you lock in the best possible deals.

Start earning points now

If your points balance is running low, the beginning of the year is a great time to put your earning strategy in place for the rest of the year. It gives you ample time to build up your points balances before last-chance holiday booking periods.

Related: How to earn over 300,000 points in 2025

American Express, for example, offers some great travel cards with generous welcome bonuses and earning opportunities.

For example, the American Express® Gold Card offers the ability to earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. With 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, it’s a great choice for frequent travelers.

For those who want premium perks, The Platinum Card® from American Express is offering an ability to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first six months. Benefits include access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, complimentary airport lounge access and 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or on American Express Travel (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year). The Amex Platinum has an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).

You can transfer Membership Rewards points to Amex’s extensive list of airline and hotel travel partners, including Delta and Marriott.

Of course, award availability and the number of points required can always change. So, it’s good to plan out how you will earn or transfer the desired amount of points efficiently and quickly, should you need them.

Lock in family-friendly accommodations early

Finding the perfect accommodations for your family is key to a successful holiday trip. Depending on the size of your brood, it can also be incredibly tricky. Larger suites, villas and family-oriented resorts often sell out quickly, so booking early is essential.

Generally speaking, most major hotel chains and properties will open up bookings around 11 to 13 months in advance, which means now is the perfect time to book for most properties.

Look into options like Club Med’s all-inclusive resorts or Disney Vacation Club properties, which offer spacious rooms and plenty of amenities for families. These premium accommodations can be especially competitive during the holidays when using points.

Prioritize properties with flexible cancellation policies, allowing you to make adjustments as needed without financial penalties.

Bottom line

The demand for holiday travel continues to rise, and destinations get booked up faster than ever. Planning your Christmas vacation now ensures you secure the best flights, accommodations and points redemption opportunities.

Take advantage of flexible booking policies and start earning points now to make your holiday travel both affordable and stress-free. Whether you dream of a sunny beach getaway, a snowy mountain escape or a cozy family retreat, early planning is your ticket to a memorable and budget-friendly Christmas adventure.

Related reading:

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card from American Express please click here.