Most holiday travelers haven't booked yet, TPG-YouGov survey finds

A new survey from The Points Guy and YouGov shows most Americans planning holiday travel this year haven't booked a thing yet.

According to the survey, conducted Sept. 18-22 among 2,445 U.S. adults, 65% of respondents who said they plan to travel between Thanksgiving and New Year's 2026 hadn't booked any of their trips. Only 15% had booked everything; another 15% had booked part of their travel.

Why the wait? Cost is the big one. 42% said they were hoping prices would come down, and 34% said they were waiting until they'd saved enough to pay for the trip. Some had logistical hurdles: 43% needed to coordinate with family or friends, 30% said they kept putting it off, and another 30% needed to check on time off or other responsibilities.

The survey found that 48% of those who plan to fly said cost was their top consideration when booking, nearly double the 25% who said convenience mattered most. But despite that focus on price, 63% agreed it was worth paying more for a more convenient itinerary, like a nonstop flight.

TPG reported that average domestic flight prices this holiday season have been climbing, with Points Path showing $675 for Christmas and $647 for Thanksgiving. The outlet has been urging travelers to lock in fares early, warning that prices will likely keep rising.

Among those with holiday travel plans, 39% said they're worried about high airfare. Another 37% cited concerns about crowded airports and flight delays or cancellations, and 36% said weather-related delays worry them.

Road trips remain the most popular option: 23% said they plan to drive to visit family or friends, and 13% said they'll road trip for a vacation. Domestic flights drew smaller shares: 11% flying to see family, 9% for vacation. International travel is less common: 6% flying abroad for vacation, 5% to visit friends or family.

When it comes to loyalty programs, price rules. 70% of holiday travelers agreed price matters more than sticking with their favorite airline, and 71% said the same about hotel brands. 61% said they'd rather skip redeeming travel rewards if it meant paying less for travel. Still, 34% said they plan to redeem more rewards this year than last.

The survey also found 55% of all U.S. adults said they don't plan to travel between Thanksgiving and New Year's at all.

• airfare
• booking habits
• holiday travel
• inflation
• The Points Guy
• TPG-YouGov survey