Are Americans more likely to book travel early on or last-minute? US travel booking trends explained
The timing of travel bookings has always been a topic of interest, reflecting how external factors influence when people choose to secure their getaways. YouGov research reveals that this year, a significant portion of US travelers made their summer bookings within a relatively short window before departure. A significant portion (46%) booked their hotel and flights 1-3 months before departure and 26% made their bookings less than a month before their trip.
Reasons behind the booking timeline
Data shows that early planners are often looking to secure the best deals and are willing to commit to their holiday plans well in advance to take advantage of potential savings.
The primary motivator for those who book more than one month in advance is a preference to plan ahead.
Apart from planning preference, those who booked more than six months before departure did so mainly because of concerns about price increases (17%) and special promotions or discounts (15%).
Concerns about price increases (17%) and the availability of desired accommodation or flights (16%) influenced booking decisions for those who booked 4-6 months in advance.
For those who booked 1-3 months before departure, the most cited reason was a preference for planning ahead (22%). This group also mentioned family or friends' schedules and work or school schedules (16% each) as key factors influencing their decision.
Finally, among those who booked less than a month before departure, the main reason was the need to accommodate family or friends' schedules (18%), closely followed by the flexibility in travel dates (14%).
When comparing this year's summer holiday booking timeline to last year's, 62% of travelers reported that they booked around the same time as they did in the previous year. However, 19% indicated that they booked earlier this year, while another 19% booked later.
Looking ahead to winter holiday bookings
As the focus shifts from summer to winter holidays, the booking timeline shows some differences. Among those planning to travel during the winter holidays, 47% plan to book their flights and hotels 1-3 months before departure. Another 24% intend to book 4-6 months in advance, while 18% expect to book less than a month before departure. Only 12% plan to secure their winter travel plans more than six months in advance.
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Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on August 26-27, 2024, with a nationally representative sample of 1,155 adults in US (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education, social grade and region to be representative of all adults. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.
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