Planning a winter holiday in advance may seem premature, but when it comes to using your points and miles, January is actually an ideal time to book for the following winter. Most major U.S. hotel chains and airlines allow you to book award nights and flights 11 to 13 months in advance. So, if you’re thinking about your winter vacation in 2024, it’s not too early to start booking now.
One of the advantages of booking early is that you can often find the best rates for peak-season travel. This is especially true if you’re booking with a program that prices its awards dynamically. While there may be sale prices offered at some point during the year, it’s unlikely during Thanksgiving and Christmas, as airlines and hotels have no trouble filling seats and rooms due to high demand. So, if you can book an award with minimal change and cancellation fees, it’s best to do it early, especially if you’re limited to travel during school holidays.
Here are a few trips that families should consider booking now for the winter of 2024:
1. Book New Year’s Eve 2024: You can find some fantastic deals for New Year’s Eve 2024 using World of Hyatt points. Some options include Park Hyatt New York, Hotel 50 Bowery in New York City, Andaz Singapore, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Hyatt Place Dubai Al Rigga, Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami, and Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort/Convention Center California. These options are likely to become more expensive as the holiday season approaches, so it’s best to book early.
2. Book major holiday ski travel: If your family enjoys skiing during the winter season, now is an ideal time to book a ski trip for December 2024 or January 2025. You can redeem World of Hyatt points at popular ski destinations such as Sugarbush Resort. Marriott Bonvoy points can also be used for ski trips, with options like St. Regis Park City and Element Basalt-Aspen. Hilton Honors elite members can get a fifth night free using points, and the Hampton Inn & Suites Tahoe-Truckee is a great option.
3. Book 2024 Thanksgiving and winter break travel: Don’t delay booking award flights for the holidays. For Thanksgiving 2024, you can book round-trip business-class flights to Paris for 176,000 United MileagePlus miles per person. This is a good deal considering round-trip cash fares start at about $3,000 per person. You can also fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale for Thanksgiving week for just 21,000 United miles round trip in economy. For Christmas and New Year’s 2024-25, different airlines release award seats at different times, so it’s important to check the dates your preferred program loads seats.
While last-minute award steals can happen, it’s best to plan your trips well in advance if you have set travel itineraries during peak seasons. Prices are not likely to become cheaper as the date approaches. Plans can always change, but having refundable award reservations can help ensure you have the ideal vacation.
In conclusion, booking your winter holiday travel in January for the following year can be a smart move, especially when using points and miles. By booking early, you can often find the best rates for peak-season travel and secure award tickets with minimal change and cancellation fees. Whether you’re planning a New Year’s Eve getaway, a ski trip, or holiday travel, taking advantage of early booking options can help you secure the vacation of your dreams.