How to prepare for the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel bargains
Black Friday has evolved from a single shopping day into a month-long extravaganza filled with deals, particularly in the realms of travel and consumer goods. This year, the major sale days are officially set for Black Friday on November 28, Cyber Monday on December 1, and Travel Tuesday on December 2. While traditional in-store deals remain popular on Black Friday, online sales have surged, with retailers like Amazon kicking off their Black Friday Week on November 20, offering discounts well ahead of the official sales. Cyber Monday focuses heavily on online bargains, and Travel Tuesday is dedicated to travel-related deals, with airlines and hotels often unveiling significant discounts.
For those looking to maximize their savings during this busy shopping season, there are several strategies to consider. Utilizing online shopping portals can yield bonus rewards—like cash back or travel points—on purchases. For example, Rakuten currently offers 5% cash back on accommodations booked through Booking.com, which can add up significantly when combined with existing discounts. Additionally, checking credit card offers can provide further savings; platforms like Amex and Chase frequently have promotions that can be stacked with sales. Using the right credit card for purchases can also enhance rewards, especially when shopping for travel.
To make the most of this shopping season, it’s crucial to plan ahead. Identify the items or trips you want to purchase and keep track of the sale dates for your favorite brands and travel providers. Following companies on social media or subscribing to their newsletters can provide access to exclusive deals. Remember that many travel bookings are refundable within a short window, allowing shoppers to secure deals while still having the flexibility to adjust plans later. With a little preparation and strategic shopping, consumers can navigate the sea of Black Friday sales and emerge with substantial savings.
Black Friday is no longer just one day; it’s practically an entire month. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday deals are coming in thick and fast, and it can be tough to keep up with them all.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, dear reader, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking to save on your next big trip, top travel gear or
holiday gifts
, there’s a deal for everyone — and we’re here to help you navigate this year’s sea of Black Friday sales and maximize your savings.
Related:
Points and miles travel deals
When are Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday?
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Although many deals are already live, the official 2025 sale days are as follows:
Black Friday: Nov. 28
Cyber Monday: Dec. 1
Travel Tuesday: Dec. 2
Traditionally, Black Friday is best for in-store deals. However, we’ve seen an increasing number of online deals emerge each year, so we recommend checking both in-store and online pricing before making a purchase.
Cyber Monday (the Monday after Black Friday) is when most companies release deals online, but it’s not uncommon for deals to launch even earlier. A good example is Amazon, which is already offering numerous
discounts
in advance of the official Nov. 20 launch of its
Black Friday Week
.
Meanwhile, Travel Tuesday (the day after Cyber Monday) is when airlines, hotels, cruise operators and other travel companies typically release deals, though some sales have already begun.
Here’s a run-through of other Black Friday sale dates to put on your calendar:
Amazon:
Black Friday Week
officially starts Nov. 20, but we’ve already seen some great deals available.
Walmart:
Black Friday deals
will run Nov. 25-30, with Cyber Monday deals Dec. 1 only.
Priority Pass
:
This sale is already live, offering
up to 40%
off airport lounge membership, now starting at $59 for the first year.
Away:
Save up to 25% on luggage, bags and accessories through Dec. 1 in the brand’s
biggest sale of the year
.
Booking.com:
The platform’s
biggest Black Friday event
yet will offer up to 40% off select accommodations, up to 20% off select attractions and more when you book between Nov. 20 and Dec. 3.
IHG:
Save up to 25%
on eligible stays booked through the app by Nov. 19, and up to 20% when you book between Nov. 20 and Dec. 4.
World of Hyatt:
Get
up to 30% off
at select properties around the world, bookable now through Dec. 11.
Wyndham Rewards:
Members can
save 30% or more
on stays across North America when booking directly with the member rate between Nov. 20 and Dec. 5.
Marriott Bonvoy:
According to a press release, “special savings are coming this Cyber Monday,” Dec. 1.
JetBlue Vacations:
Save up to $450
on select flight and hotel packages booked by Nov. 25.
Intrepid Travel:
This
tour operator’s
Black Friday sale is already live, with
discounts of up to 20%
off hundreds of small-group trips through Dec. 4.
How to maximize your savings on Black Friday deals
You should always be looking for ways to
double or triple dip
on your purchases, and Black Friday is no exception. Here are our top tips for saving even more money and maximizing your rewards this season.
CATHERINE FALLS COMMERCIAL/GETTY IMAGES
Use online shopping portals
If your desired merchant is available on a
shopping portal
, you can earn bonus rewards, such as points, miles, or cash back, on your purchase.
For instance,
Rakuten
is currently offering 5% cash back (or 5 American Express Membership Rewards points or
Bilt Rewards Points
per dollar spent) on accommodations at Booking.com. If this earning rate stays the same through Booking.com’s Black Friday sale, you could potentially get 5% back on top of the platform’s up-to-40% discount on hotels. For a stay that would normally cost $1,000, the sale would bring the cost down to $600, and then Rakuten would put $30 back in your pocket.
RAKUTEN
Payouts often vary from day to day, so we recommend using a shopping portal aggregator like
Cashback Monitor
to find the best portal for your purchase.
Related:
How to maximize shopping portals for Black Friday and holiday deals
Check your offers
Amex Offers
and
Chase Offers
are among our favorite ways to save money on everyday purchases, and they’re easy to stack with Black Friday sales. Check your offers on all your credit card accounts (each card may be different) before making a purchase, and if any apply to your merchant, be sure to activate them on your card and pay with the same card.
Deal alert:
Chase cardholders can save up to 50% on top luggage brands like Tumi
If you collect
Amex Membership Rewards
points, check your Amazon account to see if you’re targeted for one of
these offers
to save up to 40% when you redeem at least 714 points at checkout.
Use the right credit card
Lastly, remember to use the correct card to maximize your rewards on Black Friday purchases. Our lists of the
top travel cards
and
best cards for online shopping
are good places to start.
When booking travel, be sure to use a card that comes with
built-in trip protections
. For other purchases, consider a card that offers
extended warranties
.
Bottom line
As Black Friday sales continue to proliferate, it’s helpful to plan ahead. Consider what you’d like to purchase (or book), and mark your calendars accordingly.
To avoid missing out on deals, it’s worth following your favorite brands, airlines, hotel chains and more on social media and/or signing up for their email newsletters, as they may offer deals to insiders that aren’t available to the general public. You can also follow TPG’s
social media channels
and subscribe to the free
TPG daily newsletter
to stay up to date on travel-related sales.
Don’t forget that many travel bookings are refundable within 24 hours of making your reservation (and
sometimes longer
). If you spot a can’t-miss deal, consider booking right away and double-checking your dates afterward.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
