Holiday holidays, a decline of six percentage points compared to the previous year.
Despite these findings, Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate, remains skeptical of the pessimistic outlook.
“I take this with a grain of salt. So far, the mood has been worse than reality,” Rossman said.
Consumer spending has consistently exceeded projections regarding financial concerns.
“The actual numbers look pretty good. Spending is good, delinquencies are relatively low. Even if people say they’re cutting back, I’m not sure I totally believe it,” Rossman said.
Travelers might be adjusting their habits in other ways, such as opting to drive rather than fly, or selecting more budget-friendly lodging and flight options.
“Some of the advice here would be book early. If you can use <a Rossman said.
Rossman noted that time is running out to secure reservations for both Thanksgiving and Christmas travel. While flights and hotels are still available, travelers should prepare for higher costs.
The average round-trip domestic flight for the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday is approximately $751, while the average for the Christmas and New Year period is about $685. Sunday is the most expensive day to book airfare, whereas Tuesday is the most affordable.