Thanksgiving and Christmas Travel 2024: What You Need To Know To Survive

The 2024 holiday season is shaping up to be one of the busiest on record. Half of Americans are planning to travel, with consumer travel budgets up 28% compared to last year, according to Deloitte. For Thanksgiving alone, more than 36 million people are scheduled to fly — up nearly 5% from last years.

Crowds, air traffic controller staffing issues, rising prices on rental cars and hotels, and inclement weather — these can make for a frustrating travel experience.

Before you travel this holiday season, here’s what you need to know and how you can best prepare.

Challenge #1: Airport Staffing and Delivery Issues

Airports nationwide have been sounding the alarms for more air traffic controllers. The FAA recently announced it’s short roughly 3,000 controllers from ideal staffing levels. This impacts the flow of planes coming in and out of an airport and can result in delays and cancellations. And this issue doesn’t look to have an end in sight. Skift reports this shortage could last well into the next decade.

Additionally, airlines have had to make significant changes as Boeing continues to skid on delivery of promised aircraft to its customers. American Airlines trimmed back several international routes amid Boeing 787 delays, while Southwest recently announced it’s offering employee buyouts at 18 airports. “Southwest has reduced overall capacity to meet demand with a constrained fleet due to aircraft delivery delays,” the airline said in a statement. 

How To Prepare: Expect the Worst, Hope for the Best

With more travelers than ever, fewer planes in the sky, and not enough employees, the situation can be slippery. Here are a few ways to stay abreast of fragile circumstances:

• Show up to the airport early. With waves of travelers heading to the airport, there’s no reason to risk showing up at the last minute to be met with an anxiety-inducing line. If you have time to spare, you can kill that extra time in an airport lounge.
• Use Twitter/X to your advantage. One trick I use is to check the social media accounts of the airport I’m heading to. In many cases, I’ve received news about delays or issues affecting the airport or any flights — sometimes found here before other sources report on it.
• Download apps ahead of time. If your flight is delayed or canceled, the airline will likely send out an alert via the app.
• Have a plan of action in case things go awry. I’ve experienced the panic of having a significant travel headache too many times to count. If you suspect that your travel plans will be thrown off, start making alternative plans, such as booking a refundable hotel room or start looking for other flight options.
• Avoid checking a bag. Not only does it present an extra cost on many flights, but it’s another opportunity for an issue to arise. Your bag getting lost or damaged can ruin your trip.

Challenge #2: Rising Costs Plague the Travel Industry

It’s a headline we’ve heard for several years now: Prices are rising. It’s almost laughable at this point, but it’s unfortunately the reality for travelers. Travelers have adjusted their budgets in tandem, as a Deloitte survey states budgets are up 28%, with millennials planning to spend the highest amount ($3,927) on travel over the next year. Here are the places you may feel some sticker shock:

• Rental cars: Up 27% since pre-pandemic
• Hotels and restaurants: Up 22%

Flight prices remain slightly down compared to pre-pandemic levels, but travelers should expect prices to skyrocket as the holiday season nears.

How To Prepare: Don’t Procrastinate and Use Other Options

• Book flights and rental cars early. Book your travel as early as possible. The closer your travel dates approach, the higher prices can potentially go.
• Consider alternative travel options. If hotel prices are higher than expected, consider using an Airbnb or Vrbo. Additionally, if rental car prices are surging, look at Turo or Costco Travel for potentially lower prices.

Challenge #3: Weather

It’s too early to predict who might get some early snow on Thanksgiving or where rain may be falling on Christmas. However, it’s safe to expect the unexpected when it comes to end-of-year weather across the states. Plus, even if your final destination is sunny and clear, winter storms in hub cities can trigger delays across the country, especially on major travel days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or the days leading up to New Year.

How To Prepare: Be Flexible and Have Protections in Place

• Book your travel with a credit card with travel insurance. Booking flights and other travel expenses with the right credit card can automatically protect you when you’re on the road. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and The Platinum Card^® from American Express offer coverage for incidental expenses like hotel stays, food, and transport during delays or cancellations. However, the Amex Platinum card is not your typical credit card because it allows you to carry a balance for certain charges but not all.
• Use weather alert apps. Staying updated on real-time weather conditions at departure and connecting airports is essential. Many apps provide forecasts and send alerts about severe weather so travelers can make quick adjustments if needed. In fact, United’s mobile app now sends weather alerts to help you understand what’s happening around the country — and how that might impact your flight.
• Airlines are now responsible for rebooking or refunding you. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently released new guidance for airlines to follow around rebooking or refunding passengers when significant delays or cancellations happen. Before you travel, be sure to know what your rights are.

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is filled with joy, but holiday travel can be 1 or 2 mishaps away from turning into a major disaster. Just 2 years ago, Southwest experienced a complete meltdown due to a winter storm, resulting in over 15,000 flights being canceled over the Christmas holiday. Earlier this year, flights came to a near halt after a tech outage from Crowdstrike.

If you’re traveling this holiday season, doing as much pre-travel preparation and booking ahead of time can potentially ease the financial burden and make the travel experience as smooth as possible.