Great Holiday Travel Offers To Jump On Right Now

The holidays are a time for togetherness and celebration, but for many, holiday travel can also mean financial stress.

According to NerdWallet’s 2024 Holiday Spending Report, nearly three-quarters of holiday travelers (72%) plan to put some or all of their holiday flight and hotel expenses on a credit card this year.

What's more, 28% of 2023 holiday travelers who charged flights or hotel stays to a credit card haven’t paid off those balances, and less than a third (31%) managed to pay it off with their first statement.

That stress is leading to some people opting out of travel in 2024. In fact, according to an October 2024 study conducted by KRC Research that was commissioned by Excedrin, which is an over-the-counter headache pain reliever, 76% of Americans have chosen not to travel during the holidays to avoid literal or metaphorical travel related headaches.

Happily, some last-minute deals and promotions could make holiday travel a little cheaper — and a little more headache-free.

This Travel Tuesday has offers sometimes worth more than 50% off from big hotel brands such as Hilton and Hyatt.

Check out NerdWallet's guide to the best Black Friday and Travel Tuesday deals out now.

As most people see an uptick in spending during the holidays given gift-buying and travel, now might be a good time to apply for a new credit card to take advantage of a welcome bonus.

Check out NerdWallet's list of the best travel credit card offers out there right now.

Between now and Jan. 31, 2025, Chase is running a giveaway where eligible Chase cardmembers can enter for a chance to win one million Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Chase will draw 10 winners, each of which will win the boatload of points, which NerdWallet values at a minimum of $10,000 — but potentially as much as $22,000 (depending on your card and if you're able to maximize the transfer partners).

To be eligible to enter, participants are required to be the primary Chase cardmember of participating cards, be a U.S. resident, and be at least 18 years old.

Eligible cards include:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Chase Freedom Flex®

• Chase Freedom Unlimited®

• Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

• Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Enter and view the full official rules at millionpoints.chase.com.

As far as great travel gear worth buying, the holidays are a prime time to capitalize on sales as stores compete for your gift budget. From noise-canceling headphones that are great for airplanes to carry-on travel backpacks to fun goodies for the home that remind you of travel (you know, like, airplane snack staple Biscoff cookies), check out NerdWallet's travel gift guide.

Heading to the airport? Here's some significant savings.

DashPass members and Lyft riders who link their accounts by Dec. 31, 2024 will receive 50% off up to four scheduled airport rides through the end of the year (up to $25 per ride). And there's a meal deal too. Those same members can receive 50% off one DoorDash order (up to $10).

DoorDash is a food, grocery and merchandise delivery service, and DashPass is its corresponding subscription program that offers unlimited $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 placed on DoorDash. A DashPass subscription usually costs $9.99 per month (or $96 per year).

That said, you might not even have to pay for DashPass. Chase has a partnership with DoorDash that offers a complimentary DashPass subscription to certain cardholders.

How Chase cardholders can score a DashPass membership

All eligible Chase cardholders will receive a complimentary DashPass membership benefit, though the free promotional period varies by credit card.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®, JP Morgan Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders with active, free DashPass memberships will continue to receive the benefit through Dec. 31, 2027. New and existing Sapphire Reserve cardholders who haven’t activated the DashPass benefit can enroll to receive a complimentary DashPass benefit through Dec. 31, 2027, or a minimum of 12 months, depending on the activation date.

• Holders of the Chase Freedom Flex®, Chase Freedom Rise®, Chase Freedom Unlimited®, Chase Freedom® Student credit card, Chase Slate Edge℠, and legacy Chase Freedom® cards who haven’t used the DashPass benefit have until Jan. 31, 2025, to enroll. Those cardholders will receive three months of free membership, then nine months at 50% off. Starting Feb. 1, 2025, new enrollees will receive six free months of DashPass.

• Multiple Chase co-branded cards are offering holders 12 free months of DashPass when activated by Dec. 31, 2027. Eligible cards include all Southwest Rapid Rewards cards, all United cards, all IHG One Rewards cards, all Disney cards, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card, the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, the Iberia Visa Signature® Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Cardholders may activate their complimentary DashPass membership on DoorDash’s website or within the DoorDash app.