The Ultimate Black Friday Travel Deals Guide: How to Save on Flights, Hotels, Cruises & Vacations

Black Friday might be known for TVs, laptops, and Christmas shopping, but it's also one of my favorite times of year to look for travel deals.

Hotels, resorts, cruises, tours, vacation packages, travel companies, luggage brands, and other travel-related businesses often release promotions around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday.

And if you're already planning to travel next year, this can be an incredible opportunity to save.

The key is knowing what you're looking for before the sales start.

Because a 40% off banner doesn't automatically mean you're getting a good deal.

I've put together this Black Friday travel guide to help you find the best Black Friday travel deals, compare prices, and figure out what's actually worth booking.

I'll also keep this guide updated throughout the holiday shopping season as new travel deals become available, so bookmark it and check back as Black Friday gets closer.

When Is Black Friday?

Black Friday falls on the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving in the United States.

But here's the important part for travelers:

You don't necessarily have to wait until Black Friday to find a deal.

Travel companies increasingly launch promotions days or even weeks before Black Friday.

And the deals don't necessarily end Friday night.

The major travel-shopping dates to watch are:

Black Friday: The Friday after Thanksgiving

Cyber Monday: The Monday after Thanksgiving

Travel Tuesday: The Tuesday after Thanksgiving

Some travel brands run one promotion throughout the entire period, while others release different offers on different days.

That's why I recommend starting your research early.

What Travel Deals Can You Find on Black Friday?

Black Friday travel sales can cover almost every part of a vacation.

Depending on the year and the company, you may find deals on:

Hotels and resorts

Flights

Cruises

Vacation packages

Rental cars

Tours and activities

Theme parks and attractions

All-inclusive resorts

Travel insurance

Luggage

Travel accessories

Travel technology

Airport services

If you already know you'll be traveling in the next 6 to 12 months, Black Friday is a great time to compare the trips you're already considering.

Best Black Friday Hotel Deals

Hotels are one of the first things I look at during Black Friday.

Instead of searching only for one specific property, compare hotels throughout your destination.

Pay attention to more than the advertised discount.

Before booking, check:

The final nightly rate

Taxes and resort fees

Parking fees

Cancellation policy

Minimum stay requirements

Excluded dates

Whether breakfast is included

Whether the reservation is refundable

A hotel advertising "30% off" isn't necessarily less expensive than another property offering no advertised Black Friday sale.

Always compare the actual price you'll pay.

How I Shop Black Friday Hotel Deals

Before Black Friday, I search hotels for trips I'm considering and write down the approximate prices.

Then when the sales start, I search those exact dates again.

That makes it much easier to tell whether something is actually a deal.

For example:

Normal hotel price: $325/night

Black Friday price: $235/night

4-night stay savings: $360

That's meaningful.

But if the normal hotel price is $275/night and the Black Friday "sale" price is $265/night, I'm probably not rearranging my entire vacation over that.

Compare actual prices instead of getting distracted by percentages.

Best Black Friday Resort Deals

Black Friday can be especially interesting if you're planning a resort vacation.

Watch for promotions that include more than a discounted room.

Some resort offers may include:

Resort credits

Complimentary breakfast

Spa credits

Free nights

Dining credits

Room upgrades

Reduced resort fees

Included activities

Flexible cancellation

Sometimes an added perk can be more valuable than a slightly lower room rate.

If I'm comparing two similar properties, I'll calculate the value of everything included before deciding.

Best Black Friday Flight Deals

Flights work a little differently.

Airfare is constantly changing based on route, dates, demand, inventory, and other factors, so I don't assume Black Friday will automatically be the cheapest day of the year to book a flight.

Instead, I use Black Friday as another opportunity to compare fares.

If you're planning a trip, search several combinations of:

Departure dates

Return dates

Nearby airports

Airlines

One-way tickets

Sometimes shifting your trip by one day saves more money than any promotional code ever could.

Don't Forget the Real Cost of Your Flight

Always compare the total price.

That means considering:

Carry-on fees

Checked bag fees

Seat selection

Airport transportation

Parking

Connections

Rental car needs

The cheapest fare displayed in the search results isn't always the cheapest trip.

Best Cyber Monday Travel Deals

Don't stop looking after Black Friday.

Cyber Monday is another major opportunity for travel promotions.

Some companies extend their Black Friday sale through Monday, while others launch a separate Cyber Monday offer.

If you didn't find what you wanted on Black Friday, check again.

I especially like watching:

Hotels

Resorts

Cruises

Tours

Vacation packages

Luggage

Travel accessories

And then there's one more day travelers should know about.

What Is Travel Tuesday?

Travel Tuesday happens the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, immediately following Cyber Monday.

It's become another day associated with travel promotions and booking offers.

This is worth adding to your calendar if you're planning:

A major vacation

International travel

A cruise

A resort stay

Tours and activities

A honeymoon

A family vacation

I would never wait for Travel Tuesday if you've already found an incredible refundable deal, but it's absolutely worth knowing about while you're comparison shopping.

Best Black Friday Cruise Deals

If a cruise is on your travel wish list, Black Friday is a good time to compare sailings.

Cruise promotions may include:

Reduced fares

Discounts for additional guests

Onboard credit

Beverage packages

Wi-Fi

Specialty dining

Reduced deposits

Excursion credits

But cruise pricing can get complicated quickly.

Instead of focusing only on the advertised fare, calculate what the entire trip will cost.

Consider:

Cruise fare

Taxes

Gratuities

Drinks

Wi-Fi

Excursions

Flights

Hotel before or after the cruise

Transportation to the port

That's your real vacation price.

A promotion with a higher base fare but valuable inclusions may actually be better than the cheapest advertised cruise.

Best Black Friday All-Inclusive Vacation Deals

If you're dreaming about escaping winter for somewhere warm, this is another category I'd watch closely.

Black Friday can be a great time to compare all-inclusive resorts in destinations like:

Mexico

Dominican Republic

Jamaica

The Caribbean

Costa Rica

All-inclusive pricing can also make budgeting easier because so much of your vacation may already be included.

When comparing resorts, check exactly what "all-inclusive" means.

Food and drinks may be included, but airport transfers, premium restaurants, spa treatments, excursions, activities, and other extras may not be.

Best Black Friday Tours & Activity Deals

This is the category travelers sometimes forget.

Your flight and hotel aren't your entire vacation.

If you already know where you're going, look at activities too.

Depending on your destination, that might include:

Food tours

Snorkeling

Whale watching

Boat tours

Helicopter tours

Museum tickets

City tours

National park tours

Day trips

Cooking classes

Theme parks

Shows

Ski activities

Cultural experiences

Booking activities ahead of time can also make budgeting much easier because you're spreading your travel expenses across several months instead of paying for everything during the trip.

Best Black Friday Rental Car Deals

If your trip requires a car, compare rental prices during the holiday sales too.

But don't assume the lowest daily rate is automatically the best option.

Check:

Taxes and fees

Airport surcharges

Mileage limits

Cancellation policies

Additional driver fees

Insurance requirements

Fuel policies

One-way fees

I also like booking refundable rental cars when possible.

If prices drop later, you may be able to cancel and rebook at the lower rate depending on your reservation terms.

Best Black Friday Luggage Deals

This is where Black Friday gets dangerous for me.

Because travel gear is one of the categories where Black Friday can actually be worth waiting for.

If your suitcase is barely surviving baggage claim, this may be the time to replace it.

Watch for deals on:

Carry-on luggage

Checked luggage

Weekender bags

Backpacks

Packing cubes

Toiletry bags

Crossbody bags

Personal-item bags

Luggage trackers

If you're giving luggage as a Christmas gift, you also get to combine Black Friday shopping with your holiday shopping.

Win-win.

Best Black Friday Travel Gear Deals

Beyond luggage, there are plenty of travel products worth watching during Black Friday.

Travel Tech

Portable chargers

Travel adapters

Headphones

AirTags and luggage trackers

Phone accessories

Camera gear

Portable SSDs

Charging stations

Packing Essentials

Packing cubes

Compression bags

Toiletry organizers

Travel jewelry cases

Shoe bags

Travel laundry bags

Flight Essentials

Travel pillows

Eye masks

Reusable water bottles

Portable chargers

Compression socks

Carry-on organizers

Content Creator Travel Gear

Cameras

Lenses

Drones

Microphones

Tripods

Memory cards

Portable hard drives

Camera bags

If you've been waiting for expensive camera or travel equipment, Black Friday is definitely a date I'd have on my calendar.

Best Black Friday Travel Deals for Families

Family travel is where relatively small savings can become huge.

Saving $75 on one flight isn't bad.

Saving $75 each on five flights is $375.

The same applies to theme park tickets, hotel rooms, tours, rental cars, and other expenses.

Families should especially compare:

Vacation rentals vs. hotels

Suites vs. multiple hotel rooms

Rental cars vs. rideshare

Hotels with complimentary breakfast

Hotels with kitchens

Activities offering family pricing

The cheapest option for a solo traveler isn't necessarily the cheapest option for a family.

Best Black Friday Travel Deals for Couples

Black Friday is also a great excuse to plan something together instead of buying more stuff for Christmas.

Consider putting your holiday budget toward:

A weekend getaway

Resort stay

Cruise

Couples spa trip

Ski weekend

International trip

Beach vacation

Concert trip

Food-focused weekend

Bucket-list experience

You could even book the trip during Black Friday and surprise your partner with it on Christmas morning.

Which, personally, I think beats another sweater.

Give a Trip for Christmas

Experiences are some of my favorite gifts.

Instead of buying something that eventually ends up in a closet, use Black Friday to book something you'll remember.

A travel gift could be:

A weekend trip

Plane tickets

A hotel reservation

A cruise

Theme park tickets

Concert tickets + hotel

A surprise excursion

A food tour

A spa weekend

A family vacation

You can still wrap something.

Print the itinerary.

Wrap a passport holder.

Give them luggage.

Create a fake boarding pass.

Put clues inside a box.

Then let the actual gift be somewhere you're going together.

Should You Wait Until Black Friday to Book Travel?

Not necessarily.

This is probably the most important thing in this entire guide.

Do not pass up an incredible travel price simply because Black Friday is coming.

Travel inventory isn't unlimited.

Flights sell out.

Hotel prices increase.

Popular rooms disappear.

Tours reach capacity.

If you've found a price you're comfortable paying, especially with flexible cancellation terms, booking earlier can make more sense than gambling on a future promotion.

Black Friday is an opportunity to find deals.

It isn't a guarantee that every trip will become cheaper.

How to Know if a Black Friday Travel Deal Is Actually Good

This is why I recommend doing your homework before Thanksgiving.

Let's say you want to spend five nights in Maui next spring.

Start checking prices now.

Write down:

Flights: approximately $___

Hotel: approximately $___

Rental car: approximately $___

Activities: approximately $___

Total: approximately $___

Now you have a baseline.

When Black Friday arrives, compare it again.

Maybe the flight hasn't changed.

But your hotel is $400 cheaper.

Your rental car is $80 cheaper.

And the snorkeling tour you've been eyeing is discounted.

Now you've actually saved money.

Read the Fine Print Before Booking

A Black Friday travel deal isn't helpful if you can't actually use it.

Before purchasing, look for:

Blackout Dates

Christmas, spring break, holidays, and weekends may be excluded.

Travel Windows

The discount may only apply to travel during certain months.

Cancellation Policies

A deeply discounted reservation may be completely nonrefundable.

Minimum Stays

Some hotel offers require three, four, or even five nights.

Advance Payment

You may need to pay the entire amount upfront.

Excluded Room Categories

The beautiful oceanfront room you wanted may not qualify.

Read everything before entering your credit card information.

Make a Black Friday Travel Wish List Now

Don't wait until Thanksgiving weekend to decide where you want to go.

Create your list ahead of time.

Trips I Definitely Plan to Take

Destination:

Possible dates:

Preferred hotels:

Expected flight price:

Activities:

Trips I'd Book for the Right Price

Destination:

Ideal price:

Possible dates:

Travel Gear I Need

Luggage:

Camera equipment:

Travel accessories:

Christmas gifts:

Now when sales start, you aren't randomly shopping.

You have a plan.

My Black Friday Travel Booking Strategy

Here's exactly how I'd approach it.

1. Decide which trips I'm likely to take next year.

I don't need exact dates for everything. I just want a general plan.

2. Research normal prices now.

Flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and major activities.

3. Bookmark the options I actually want.

Not random alternatives I'm only considering because they're discounted.

4. Start checking deals before Black Friday.

Some promotions start early.

5. Compare Black Friday prices against my original research.

Ignore the giant "50% OFF" graphic and look at the actual price.

6. Check Cyber Monday.

Especially if I haven't booked yet.

7. Check Travel Tuesday.

One final round of comparison shopping.

8. Book the trip that makes financial sense.

Not necessarily the trip with the biggest advertised discount.

The Biggest Black Friday Travel Mistake

Booking something you weren't planning to buy simply because it's on sale.

This applies to travel just as much as regular Black Friday shopping.

A $4,000 vacation marked down to $3,000 isn't saving you $1,000 if you had no intention of spending $3,000 in the first place.

Use Black Friday to save money on travel you already want.

Don't let a sale manufacture a vacation you can't afford.

Black Friday Travel Deals FAQ

Is Black Friday a Good Time to Book Travel?

It can be.

Hotels, resorts, cruises, tours, and other travel companies may offer promotions around Black Friday.

However, prices and availability vary, so compare the sale price against what the trip normally costs.

Are Flights Cheaper on Black Friday?

Not necessarily.

Flight prices fluctuate constantly, and Black Friday doesn't guarantee the lowest airfare.

Compare multiple airlines, airports, and travel dates before booking.

Is Cyber Monday Good for Travel Deals?

Cyber Monday can bring additional travel promotions or extensions of Black Friday sales, making it another useful day to compare prices.

What Is Travel Tuesday?

Travel Tuesday is the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Some travel companies promote special offers around this date.

Are Hotels Cheaper on Black Friday?

Some hotels and booking platforms may offer Black Friday promotions.

Always compare the final price, including taxes, resort fees, parking, and other charges.

Should I Book a Black Friday Travel Deal if It's Nonrefundable?

Only if you're comfortable accepting the risk.

A cheaper nonrefundable reservation isn't always worth giving up flexibility, particularly when you're booking far in advance.

What Travel Should I Book on Black Friday?

I would prioritize trips you already know you want to take.

Compare hotels, resorts, cruises, vacation packages, tours, rental cars, and other major travel expenses.

Black Friday Travel Deals I'll Be Watching

This is the section to bookmark.

As Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday get closer, I'll be watching for deals across:

Flights

Hotels

Resorts

Cruises

Rental cars

Tours and activities

Vacation packages

Travel insurance

Luggage

Travel gear

Camera equipment

I'll continue updating this guide as worthwhile travel promotions become available.

Final Thoughts

Black Friday can be an amazing time to book travel, but the goal isn't to find the biggest percentage sign.

The goal is to spend less on a trip you already wanted to take.

Research your destinations ahead of time.

Know approximately what flights and hotels normally cost.

Create your travel wish list.

Compare the final price.

Read the cancellation policy.

And then, when you find a genuinely good deal, you'll actually know it.

Because I'd much rather save $500 on next year's vacation than save $50 on something I never needed in the first place.

And if we're being completely fair, a plane ticket under the Christmas tree sounds a lot more exciting anyway.