Black Friday Sales Target Consumers Wanting Cheap Hotels and Flights

By Matthew Cortina , Christian Post Reporter

November 21, 2011|1:59 pm

Travel deals from Travelocity, CheapOair.com, Holiday Inn and more are available now through Black Friday weekend.

More than a third of Americans said they have missed holiday celebrations because of travel costs, according to a survey released Monday by CouponCabin.com.

Nearly 25 percent of Americans said they plan to miss holiday celebrations this year due to travel costs, while another 30 percent said they will travel at least 100 miles.

"The holiday season overall can be a budget breaker for many people, and travel costs can be the tipping point," Jackie Warrick, President and Chief Savings Officer at CouponCabin.com, said in a statement.

But travelers won’t be stuck at home this year by taking advantage of Black Friday savings and taking time to plan trips properly.

"Many people are planning their travel far in advance and doing comparative research to get the best deals possible. If holiday travel costs are worrisome, consider getting friends and family to agree on a date early or at a closer location for some," Warrick said.

Trip booking agents like Travelocity and CheapOair.com will offer deals on flights, hotels and rental cars throughout Black Friday weekend.

From now until Saturday, CheapOair.com will offer massive savings on select flights across the country.

Deals include Philadelphia to Chicago for $229, Boston to New York for $132 and Dallas to Minneapolis for $223.

The travel period for the deals only lasts until Nov. 30, so use CheapOair.com for Thanksgiving travel.

Travelocity will have deals starting at 12:01 a.m. on Black Friday, with up to 40 percent off airfare to major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. They’ll also offer up to 50 percent off hotels in Hawaii, free nights at resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos.

InterContinental Hotels Group, which owns Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and others, will take $50 off flights to any of its hotels’ locations until April 30.

Travel experts agree booking flights – for a gift or for personal use – on Black Friday will often result in savings, but there are concerns to be minded.

Be aware of booking fees, as deals can turn from sweet to sour at the click of a checkout button. And it’s best to keep an eye on social media and various travel sites to ensure that you’re purchasing the best deal. Yapta.com allows users to compare booking agencies in an easy-to-track format to ensure the lowest price.

Experts also recommend scouring social media and travel sites, as companies tend to advertise sales for a very limited time during the holiday season.