The Fourth of July weekend is almost here! No matter what, seasoned travel experts are giving invaluable insight to help you navigate the most chaotic holiday season yet. Millions of travelers are getting ready to take to the roads and skies. Now it’s more important than ever to maximize your booking strategies, timing, and travel experiences! Experts mostly agree on the importance of planning ahead and maxing out resources at their fingertips to avoid a bumpy ride.
Clint Henderson, a travel expert at The Points Guy, has observed minimal impact from the enforcement of Real ID regulations on travel. He calls on Americans to be patient and to get to airports early. This is critically important on high volume days such as the Friday and Monday before the holiday. Rena Shah, Director, Lodging and Experiences for Chase Travel, prioritizing hotels first creates many benefits, Shah says. She says this strategy can sometimes be a lot more useful than getting flights locked in.
Based on a year-over-year comparison from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, airfare prices are down nationally by 7.3%. Understanding this trend can improve your booking strategies to secure the best travel deals. By increasing the supply of available rooms last-minute, this trend is a big win for travelers seeking affordable stays over the popular holiday weekend. The national report features Tampa, Las Vegas and Atlanta. These cities are the three cheapest Fourth of July weekend destinations!
Booking Strategies
First, when organizing travel, Rena Shah suggests thinking strategically about accommodations. “There seems to be an unspoken rule around needing to book your flight before your hotel,” she noted. I still routinely suggest reserving your hotel first. Commercial lodging in particular goes quickly, with collective AAA and/or AARP-like discounts/arrangements, while commercial flights tend to have somewhat more slack time and possible alternatives. This suggestion might be even more urgent when considering the trend of increased last-minute bookings on the part of travelers.
Additionally, as Shah notes, this has brought on shorter stays as more vacationers have begun choosing weekend trips. Based on her observations, people have started opting for shorter getaways of two to three nights. Not only do travelers want to plan with ease and spontaneity, but with inspiration. This change allows them to experience short but rewarding journeys.
Smart travelers can benefit from the unique opportunities that travel credit cards offer. Shah elaborates, “Whether it’s leveraging your credit card points to book a last-minute trip, hitting up the airport lounge before your flight, or booking through a hotel program like The Edit by Chase Travel, having the right credit card can help unlock ways to sweeten your trip.”
Trends in Travel Preferences
The fourth and most recent Chase Travel generational trends report highlights the flexibility and adaptability of each generation’s cohort. For example, Gen X travelers are more likely than any other generation to say they want to explore emerging destinations. “Hub destinations like New York, London, Chicago, and Las Vegas remain popular,” said Shah, “but we’re seeing growth in destinations with an outdoor adventure element, such as Wisconsin and Michigan for their picturesque lakes.”
At the same time, Gen Z is leaning into more celebratory travel moments such as destination weddings. This new demographic favors purposeful travel experiences. More than ever, they’re looking for experiences that encourage connection and help build relationships between friends and family.
As our own Katy Nastro pointed out, this is part of an overall trend towards increased interest in alternative travel modes. “Other travel styles we saw with high interest and growth included ‘nighttime travel’ and exploring destinations after dark,” she explained. “Trips centered around shopping for local items and mindful travel to unplug from technology are gaining traction.”
Travel Tips for a Smooth Journey
Experts urge helpful hints to improve experience this busy travel weekend. Kelly suggests using Google Flights to monitor airfare costs. “All the experts love Google Flights and recommended people set alerts now for a certain city, and it will email you whenever prices start dropping,” he stated.
Besides keeping track of fares, Kelly suggests that families making trips with children should look into TSA PreCheck options. “Especially with families and kids, you want to avoid lines,” he remarked. “It’s time for everyone to get Global Entry or at least TSA PreCheck.” Such measures can go a long way toward reducing the burden of traveling through busy airports during busy travel periods.
Travelers need to keep in mind that July 1 will be the best day to fly domestically during the holiday weekend. Read on for tips to score cheaper flights during this shoulder season! Airports are getting ready, expecting an influx of new traffic. Experts still urge you to come two hours in advance for domestic flights, three hours for international departures. Brian Kelly supports this guideline: “I like the airlines’ recommendation that during busy periods you are at the airport two hours ahead of time for domestic flights and three hours for international.”
