The Points Guy releases holiday travel survey results

The Points Guy (TPG) released findings from a holiday travel survey recently commissioned in partnership with market research firm, The Harris Poll.

The study explores insights on American’s holiday travel plans this year, along with travel concerns, behaviors, and attitudes around booking travel, as well as use and considerations for travel rewards programs.

This year, travelers are prioritizing price and convenience over brand loyalty and using rewards when booking their travels for the busiest season of the year. Additionally, the study found:

• A whopping 91% of travelers who have started booking their holiday travel say they scored savings this year, but about 2 in 3 holiday travelers who plan to fly (69%) say price is a bigger priority to them than flying with their favorite airline.
• Additionally, nearly 4 in 5 (79%) holiday travelers with rewards agree they would rather forgo redeeming their travel rewards if it means getting a better deal.
• Nearly 3 in 4 (73%) holiday travelers agree it is worth it to pay more for convenience when traveling during the holidays.
• Nearly half (44%) of holiday travelers have not booked any of their holiday travel yet and 1 in 3 (35%) travelers who feel they waited too long to book their holiday travel say it is because they were waiting for prices to go down
• More than 2 in 3 holiday travelers with rewards (67%) plan to use their rewards for hotels (54%) or airfare (29%) this holiday season.

Finally, 85% of those planning travel have some concerns. Nearly half (47%) are worried about large crowds of travelers, 43% are worried about potential weather delays, 27% are worried about delays and cancellations, and 23% are worried about lost luggage.