By                    Maddie Duley

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Here’s a look at why so many Americans will be staying close to home this holiday season, plus insights from travel experts on how to save on travel this winter for those who will be going out of town.

16% of Americans Are Changing Their Holiday Travel Plans Due To Rising Costs

According to the survey, 16% of Americans are changing their holiday travel plans due to rising costs. Younger Americans are making the most adjustments to their travel plans as 20% of those who responded that they were skipping out on traveling for the holidays are ages 25 to 34.

Additionally, many Americans may be opting out of travel plans because they are unable to take time off work during the holidays. According to the survey, 46% of Americans take off whatever days their company gives them, which can make it fairly tough to travel and plan any excursions.

As some Americans are unable to keep their traditional travel plans, many are looking for creative alternatives to save money without sacrificing adventure altogether. Let’s take a look at some travel alternatives you might want to consider this year.

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Be Open To Other Travel Options

Although flying to New York every winter to visit your parents may be a tradition, missing out on the trip doesn’t mean you can’t travel altogether. Try to keep an open mind and stay open to other travel options.

“It’s not necessary to always travel in the same manner as you have in the past,” said Jenny Ly, founder at Go Wanderly. “Being creatures of habit, we frequently follow the same routine routes to travel from point A to point B even when other options may be quicker, more affordable or more effective.”

Opt For a Road Trip Instead of a Flight

While the decision to turn your holiday travel into a road trip may be dependent on your destination and whether a road trip is an option for getting there, it is certainly a cheaper alternative.

If you don’t mind sitting in the car for a few hours, opting for a road trip instead of a flight is a great way to save some money. According to AAA, gas prices are on the decline as the national average pump price is $3.79 per gallon, a generous drop from the $5+ average we saw this summer. On the other hand, jet fuel prices still haven’t declined, as they are over 90% higher than they were in 2019, and the high prices of flights today are reflecting this increase.

For shorter trips, going by car instead of by plane will allow you to save money while still enjoying some holiday travel.

Save money on your holiday travel by avoiding flying during the days leading up to and immediately after the popular winter holidays. Instead, opt to travel a week or two before or after. Flights will the cheaper, the airport will be a little less chaotic and you can still visit family and keep your holiday traditions without the extra headache.

Examine Your Credit Card Options

If you are an avid travel credit card user, you might be able to enjoy some travel benefits that can make travel easier around the holidays, help you earn points and allow you to travel for less.

“If you spend a particular amount during the first few months of obtaining a credit card, many credit card companies will give you additional benefits,” Ly said. “If you’re already planning to shell out, you may as well get a benefit where you can. You may also get benefits that cut down on your travel headaches. Numerous credit cards for travel provide bonus points when you make trip arrangements, annual statement credits for travel expenditures, or reimbursement for the cost of services that help you breeze through airport security more quickly or easily, like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.”

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