Expedia reveals the hottest destinations

Plus, how to save on airline tickets, car rental, and hotel

SEATTLE, September 29, 2021 / PRNewswire / – New data released today from ExpediaÂ® indicates vacation travel planning is underway and the best choices for Thanksgiving and Christmas getaways are sunny seaside destinations across Mexico, the southern United States and the Caribbean. Getaways to the top of the mountain in Utah and Colorado are also promising to be very popular with travelers this holiday season. While many of these destinations are already seeing high demand, it’s important to know that it’s not too late to book.

While booking in advance can save money, it’s often just as important to be flexible with travel dates to avoid the busiest travel days.

â€œWhether you want to spend your vacation on the sand or on a ski slope, the best way to find value for money just requires a little flexibility in terms of travel dates and taking advantage of the savings that exist,â€ says Christie hudson, senior public relations manager for the Expedia brand. “For example, members save 10% or more just by booking on the Expedia app, which is a great way to get more for your money this holiday season.”

Expedia details the best times to travel, where to go, and how to save on everything from flights and hotels to car rentals. Plus, proven tips to make vacation trips run smoothly.

Vacation Travel Planning Tips

Flight booking tips: Booking a plane ticket for the holidays is a matter of timing. While booking well in advance can save money, it’s often just as important to be flexible with travel dates to avoid the busiest travel days. According to Expedia data, the most expensive travel dates during the holidays are the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (24 november) and Thursday 23 December. And for those planning a trip after Christmas, avoid leaving on Tuesday, December 28. Here’s when to fly:
Getting the best value for money on accommodation: It’s no secret that average daily accommodation rates have increased since travel started to pick up earlier in the year, and the trend is expected to continue during the peak holiday season. Current demand data shows prices are generally lower during the Thanksgiving holiday compared to Christmas week. For popular resort destinations in Mexico or the Caribbean such as Cancun Where Punta cana, for example, these savings could amount to about $ 70 or more per night.
Car rental: For travelers who need a car during their vacation trips, price trends reveal now is the time to lock it in. Average daily rates for holiday periods are currently trending down, but as prices can fluctuate, there is no guarantee how long these rates will last. Filter options that allow â€œfree cancellationâ€ or â€œpay-as-you-goâ€ for even more flexibility when planning ahead.
Economic destinations: Urban destinations like new York, San Francisco and Boston continue to offer the best deals in terms of hotel prices, with vacation savings ranging from 10-35% over 2019. But if a beach getaway is preferred, the winter months are a good time to go, with many hot destinations like Miami, Orange County and Myrtle Beach offering better rates compared to the summer months.

Top destinations

Beach destinations are still a favorite for the holidays and 2021 sees this trend strengthen. The bottom line for travelers: If any of these hot spots seem appealing, be sure to confirm your travel plans early for the best options and availability.

Thanksgiving week

Xmas

1. Cancun, Mexico

2. Nashville, Tennessee.

3. Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mexico

4. Oahu, Hawaii

5. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

6. Charleston, South Carolina

7. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

8. Salt Lake City

9. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

10. Indianapolis, India.

1. Orlando, Florida.

2. Cancun, Mexico

3. Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mexico

4. Oahu, Hawaii

5. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

6. Kansas City, Missouri

7. Salt Lake City

8. Palm Beach area, Florida.

9. Rapid City – Mount Rushmore, SD

10. Sarasota area, Florida.

Trendy destinations

However, not all travelers make their way to their usual vacation spots. Examining the destinations with the biggest jumps in search interest for Thanksgiving and Christmas shows that some travelers are thinking outside the box. From a Mecca of ecotourism to Costa Rica to the ski slopes of Colorado, these trendy destinations clearly have something to appeal to vacationers.

Thanksgiving week

Xmas

1. Sainte-Croix, US Virgin Islands

2. Salt Lake City

3. Acapulco, Mexico

4. Estes Park, Colorado.

5. Park City, Utah

6. Chatanooga, Tennessee.

7. Monteverde, Costa Rica

8. Boulder, Colorado.

9. Fresno, California

10. Yucatan, Mexico

1. Gainsville, Florida.

2. Allentown, Pennsylvania.

3. Estes Park, Colorado.

4. Knoxville, Tennessee.

5. Chatanooga, Tennessee.

6. Salt Lake City

7. Cherokee, North Carolina

8. Oregon Coast, Ore.

9. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

10. Ocean City, Maryland

Flexibility is the key for winter vacations and travel.

Book refundable stays on Expedia by filtering by “free cancellation” or “book now, pay later” and select the refundable room option.
Try to avoid restrictive or non-refundable airline tickets. Expedia makes it easy to compare fares during the booking process by highlighting what is or is not included with the ticket, such as seat selection, checked baggage, or whether changes are allowed. Paying a little more for flexibility can provide peace of mind, which is especially valuable during the holidays.
Take direct flights and avoid taking the last flight of the day during the winter months as much as possible to reduce the risk of missed connections or delays due to canceled flights or winter storms.
Stay up to date on COVID-19 restrictions and requirements for airlines, hotels and destinations. Some hotels require proof of vaccination while others may require a negative test result from an approved list of providers. Travelers can use Expedia COVID-19 Travel Advisor for more information on travel advisories and health and safety guidelines.

Notes to Editors:

The well-being of travelers is our priority. Expedia understands how the global impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect travelers around the world, as well as the importance of obeying government restrictions and practicing social distancing. Travelers can visit the Expedia COVID-19 Travel Resource information page for making informed travel decisions.

About Expedia.com

Expedia.comÂ® is one of the world’s largest full-service travel sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book a trip. Expedia.com (https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of premier vacation destinations, affordable airfares, hotel deals, car rentals, destination weddings, cruise and destination travel activities, attractions, services and apps.

Â© 2021 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the aircraft logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the United States and / or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. CST # 2029030-50.

Flight prices based on demand on Expedia.com from 2019.

Average daily accommodation and car rental rates based on Expedia.com request for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2021 weeks.

Top destinations based on the fastest growing accommodation demand on Expedia.com for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2021 weeks compared to same periods in 2019.

Trending destinations are the ones with the highest spike in search interest for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2021 compared to 2019.