Thanksgiving and Christmas have just come and gone, but it’s never too early to plan for the upcoming holiday period, especially if you want the most flexibility and cash savings.
Needless to say, peak travel periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are in high demand. Booking early will usually ensure the best options for flights and stays.
The 2025 holiday season may be months away, but now is when many in-demand hotels and flights start to fill up. If you wait too long, you won’t miss out on travel, but you’ll likely face higher costs or limited availability.
Booking now can give you peace of mind and maximize your chances of getting great deals.
Even if your plans aren’t finalized, it’s worth booking some flights or stay options with flexible cancellation policies; After all, if you change your mind, you can always cancel and rebook somewhere else later.
Here’s how to approach 2025 vacation planning to get the best cash, points, and mile savings now.
Be flexible to maximize savings
Dynamic award pricing has become standard at more and more hotel chains in recent years, so you’ll often pay more points for stays during peak travel times. If you can take advantage of extra flexibility during these periods, you can find some great deals.
For example, booking a stay at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar before December 20 can save you significant points compared to staying during the peak holiday period.
Sometimes slightly adjusting travel dates can result in award availability outside of peak times with flights and hotel stays.
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Use tools like the Hyatt points calendar to identify the best redemption opportunities. He Dot Route Chrome Plugin It is useful when browsing Google Flights.
Just remember to act quickly when you find a deal because availability can disappear quickly, even at the beginning of the year.
Block flights in advance and use the airline’s cancellation and change policies
Most major airlines allow you to book flights approximately 330 to 365 days in advance. But this can vary depending on low-cost airlines, including Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
Below is a breakdown of when we typically see open bookings with some of the major US airlines:
| Airline | Reservation window |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | Up to 330 days before departure |
| Loyal air | Six to nine months before departure |
| american airlines | Up to 331 days before departure |
| Delta Airlines | Up to 331 days before departure |
| Border Airlines | Five months before departure |
| JetBlue Airways | Up to 331 days before departure |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Up to 330 days before departure |
| Southwest Airlines | Six to nine months before departure |
| Spiritual airlines | 10 to 11 months before departure |
| united airlines | Up to 330 days before departure |
Airlines have become much more flexible with their change and cancellation policies, allowing you to book now with the confidence that you can change your trip later if you find something else.
Related: How to avoid airline change and cancellation fees
Major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines offer fee-free cancellations on award flights, meaning your points or miles will be refunded if your plans change.
Taxes and fees are usually refunded to your original payment method, making it even easier to adjust your itinerary without penalty.
If you have cash or points, booking several flight options in advance is a good strategy and can ensure you have plenty of options when the time comes.
Booking early also helps you get better flight times and lower points costs; Reward availability tends to decrease as the holidays approach, and travelers quickly snap up deals when they become free.
Look for price drops
Don’t stop searching just because you’ve already booked a great deal. Even after you book your flights or hotel stays, keep an eye on prices. If cash rates or points requirements drop, you can often rebook at a lower rate and then cancel for a refund of your original reservation.
Related: Airlines that offer you a credit if the price of the plane ticket drops
Airlines like Southwest make this particularly easy by allowing you change the price of your flight online no need to cancel.
Other airlines may require a full cancellation and rebooking process, but with no change fees, it’s worth the effort. Regularly monitoring your reservations can help you get the best possible deals.
Start earning points now
If your points balance is running low, the beginning of the year is a good time to implement your earning strategy for the rest of the year. Gives you enough time to build up point balances before last-chance vacation booking periods.
Related: How to earn more than 300,000 points in 2025
American Express, for example, offers excellent travel cards with generous welcome bonuses and money-earning opportunities.
For example, the American Express® Gold Card offers the chance to earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership. With 4 points per dollar spent at restaurants and 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, it’s a great option for frequent travelers.
For those who want premium benefits, The Platinum® Card from American Express offers the chance to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months. Benefits include access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program, complimentary access to airport lounges and 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or on American Express Travel (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year). The Amex Platinum has an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).
you can transfer Membership Rewards Points to Amex’s extensive list of airline and hotel travel partners, including Delta and Marriott.
Of course, prize availability and the number of points required can always change. Therefore, it is good to plan how you will earn or transfer the desired number of points efficiently and quickly, should you need them.
Book family-friendly accommodations in advance
Finding the perfect accommodation for your family is key to a successful vacation trip. Depending on the size of your brood, it can also be incredibly complicated. Larger suites, villas and family resorts tend to sell out quickly, so booking in advance is essential.
Generally speaking, most major hotel chains and properties will open bookings 11-13 months in advance, meaning now is the perfect time to book at most properties.
| hotel program | Reservation window |
|---|---|
| Accor lives without limits | Up to 404 days in advance |
| Best Western Rewards | Up to 349 days in advance |
| Choice Privileges | Up to 100 days in advance for award-winning reservations, 365 days for Preferred Hotels and 50 weeks for paid stays |
| Hilton Honors | Up to 365 days in advance |
| IHG One Rewards | Up to 365 days in advance |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Up to 354 days in advance |
| Radisson Rewards | Up to 730 days in advance |
| Hyatt World | Up to 394 days in advance |
| Wyndham Rewards | Up to 364 days in advance |
Look for options like Club Med’s all-inclusive resorts or Disney Vacation Club properties, offering spacious rooms and many amenities for families. These premium accommodations can be especially competitive during the holidays when using points.
Prioritize properties with flexible cancellation policies, allowing you to make necessary adjustments without financial penalties.
In a nutshell
Demand for holiday travel continues to rise and destinations are booking up faster than ever. Planning your Christmas vacation now ensures you get the best flights, accommodation and points redemption opportunities.
Take advantage of flexible booking policies and start earning points now to make your vacation trips affordable and stress-free. Whether you’re dreaming of a sunny beach getaway, a snowy mountain getaway, or a cozy family retreat, early planning is your ticket to a memorable and affordable holiday adventure.
Related reading:
For rates and fees for the American Express Platinum Card, click here.
