Travel Deals on Travel Tuesday: How to Maximize Savings

Travel Tuesday falls on December 2 this year

You've probably heard whispers about a new travel deal day called "Travel Tuesday." It's part of the travel mythos, like a free hotel room upgrade that lands you in a penthouse suite with a private hot tub and panoramic city views.

Is there really a day of the year when you can score special travel bargains, or is it just another marketing myth? Let’s explore.

Origin Story

It all started as a spin-off of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

According to Wikipedia, Travel Tuesday was started as a way to extend the feeling of holiday shopping frenzies to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Why Tuesday?

Because who shops for travel on Tuesday, that’s why, and what better time to drop travel deals than when no one’s looking?

There is a more interesting answer. In general, airlines release their weekly fare sales late on Monday night. By Tuesday, competitors could theoretically match or beat these prices, and that makes for some good deals.

In addition, most people search for flights on weekends – especially a holiday weekend like Thanksgiving – so by Tuesday, a lot of people are ready to book.

Also read: How to Find Last-Minute Travel Deals

Real Travel Tuesday Examples

Here are some Travel Tuesday deals from last year:

1. International flights: CNBC reported that Air New Zealand had deals on flights to Australia and New Zealand, and Emirates was offering lower fares to European destinations like Athens and Milan. Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on flight deals from Icelandair, South African Airways and Philippine Airlines.
2. Domestic flights: Skyscanner found deals on flights to Tampa, Las Vegas, and Denver.
3. Vacation packages: Multiple travel suppliers were offering domestic package deals to both cool-weather destinations as well as literal hotspots like Palm Springs.
4. Cruises: Cruise lines also got in on the action, with companies like Carnival and Royal Caribbean slashing prices.
5. Hotel stays: How about a five-night stay at a villa in the Maldives for $3,000?

Why you should book your holiday travel now

Maximizing Travel Tuesday Deals

We’ve established that Travel Tuesday is a real thing. Given that, how do you get the most out of the event?

• Start early: Many travel providers and outlets start posting deals as soon as Thanksgiving. If you’re serious about scoring some travel during the runup to Christmas, start shopping on Thanksgiving and follow deals through the weekend.
• Use alerts: Sign up for fare alerts from Skyscanner and Google Flights so you’ll be notified when prices drop.
• Compare prices: Websites that aggregate fares from multiple airlines and travel agencies are a great tool. Use them to confirm your travel deal really is one.
• Be flexible: Whether you’re shopping on Black Friday or a random Wednesday in August, be flexible with destinations, times and travel carriers. If you’re looking for a 10-day river cruise on your favorite ship that leaves Amsterdam on May 17, Travel Tuesday is likely to let you down.
• Check social media: Airlines, travel companies, and influencers often share great deals and flash sales with their social media followers.
• Read the fine print: Some deals come with blackout dates or limited seating. Make sure you know what you’re buying before you buy.

Also read: Don't Fall for Travel Scams - Essential Guide to Protect Yourself

Myth-Busting

While Travel Tuesday does offer excellent deals, it’s not the only day of the year with great travel deals. Just like with any other endeavor, constant vigilance is rewarded.

For instance, newsletters from sites like Secret Flying and The Flight Deal can give you a head-start on nabbing some great travel deals. In addition, loyalty programs from airlines, cruise lines, and hotels can sneak special deals to their members – and the more you use the loyalty programs, the better the deals!

And don’t despair. If you miss out on Travel Tuesday, January is a great time to score off-season travel deals.Actually, every Tuesday is a mini-Travel Tuesday, as midweek deals are also a thing.

Also read: Tips for Luxury Travel on a Budget

Travel Insurance and Assistance Services

Don’t forget about travel protection for all these deals. Just because you’re spending less on travel doesn’t mean you should spend less on protecting that travel. In fact, the opposite is true.

The more you travel, the more you’ll appreciate the ability to protect your investment from certain unforeseen circumstances and medical emergencies.

Travel protection with assistance services from Generali Global Assistance can help protect almost any kind of trip. What’s even better is that getting a quote is easy.

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