Georgians planning to travel for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s may want to start making plans now, according to AAA.
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A new AAA survey found that 29% of Georgians begin planning holiday trips in September and October, while just 9% wait until November or December.
Cost is one of the biggest reasons travelers delay booking. About 46% of Georgia respondents said budget concerns lead them to wait, while 35% said they are waiting for lower prices.
But waiting does not always save money. Nearly half, 49%, said they delayed booking a trip and later paid more than they would have by booking earlier. Seventeen percent said they paid significantly more, while 32% paid somewhat more.
“Many travelers are hoping to find a better deal by waiting. Unfortunately, our survey shows that strategy doesn’t always pay off,” said Montrae Waiters, spokeswoman for AAA - The Auto Club Group. “This is a good time to start researching options, comparing prices and making decisions before choices become more limited.”
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AAA says planning early can give travelers more flight options, greater hotel availability, more vacation package choices and more flexibility to compare prices and dates.
The survey found that overspending is the most common travel-planning regret, followed by waiting too long to book.
AAA recommends travelers establish a budget before booking, compare multiple travel dates, consider traveling before or after peak holiday weeks, and set price alerts to monitor fare changes.
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