Black Friday isn’t just for scoring discounted tech gadgets or snagging cheap designer clothes — it’s also a golden opportunity for travel enthusiasts to bag amazing deals. If you’ve been dreaming of sipping cocktails on a tropical beach, exploring a bustling city, or hitting the slopes, now’s your chance to book that dream trip without breaking the bank. With major discounts on flights, hotels, vacation packages, and more, Black Friday travel deals can make your dream getaway a reality. Here’s everything you need to know to cash in on this once-a-year sale frenzy!

Why Black Friday Is the Perfect Time to Plan Travel

Travel providers, from airlines to hotel chains, know that holiday budgets and post-holiday exhaustion are real. To tempt customers during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, they love rolling out jaw-dropping discounts on future travel. Whether you're looking to book last-minute holiday trips or secure early deals for next year’s vacations, Black Friday is your travel-savvy friend.

Plus, this year is shaping up to be one of the best yet, with lots of brands getting competitive in the online travel space. Early bird deals and sneak previews are already buzzing, making it easier for you to strike while the iron’s hot.

Where and How to Find the Juiciest Travel Discounts

1. Flight Deals to Take Off on Budget

Many airlines go all out on Black Friday, offering discounted fares across domestic and international routes. Here’s where to look for sky-high savings:

  • Airlines to Watch: American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, and Alaska Airlines often drop prices significantly for select routes.
  • Budget Airlines: Keep an eye on brands like Spirit, Frontier, and JetBlue—they’re known for flash sales with fares as low as $29.
  • Pro Tip: Check out airline newsletters now, as many providers send out early-access codes for Black Friday deals to their email subscribers. Also, use flight aggregator platforms like Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Hopper to compare prices side by side.

Deals tend to go fast, so set alerts in advance and be flexible about travel dates and destinations to maximize your savings.

2. Hotel Discounts to Cozy Up Without Emptying Your Wallet

For those focused on where they’ll stay, hotel chains and booking platforms roll out steep discounts during Black Friday.

  • Chain Hotels: Big names like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG often slash prices across global locations. Look out for exclusive promotions on their mobile apps.
  • Boutique Hotels: Platforms like Booking.com and Expedia usually feature deals on unique, independent stays.
  • Pro Tip: Consider booking hotel + flight packages on platforms like Kayak or Priceline — the combo deals can sometimes save you more than booking separately.

Additionally, sites like Hotwire and Hotels.com are known for their surprise sales, where you can score up to 60% off gorgeous, luxury stays. Budget travelers, bookmark these now!

3. Vacation Packages and All-Inclusive Resorts

If you’re looking for a stress-free getaway, all-inclusive packages combine convenience with heavy discounts during Black Friday. Travel companies like Apple Vacations, CheapCaribbean, and Sandals Resorts often roll out enticing deals on tropical destinations.

  • Cancun, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica are classic hotspots that frequently see Black Friday pricing drops.
  • Not feeling tropical? Check out G-Adventures or Intrepid Travel for discounts on exciting European city tours or African safaris.

Pro tip? Grab deals offering flexible travel dates so you can plan on your own time.

4. Cruise Your Stress Away for Less

Cruise lines thrive during Black Friday sales because they know deals will fill their cabins in time for the next year. Companies like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line typically offer discounts of up to 50% off, along with bonuses like free onboard credits and complimentary drink packages.

Dreaming of an Alaskan adventure or a Caribbean escape? Black Friday could be the ticket.

5. Car Rental Companies Join the Party Too

Need wheels for your trip? Black Friday isn’t just for airlines and hotels. Rental car companies, such as Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis, often join the discount parade. Pay attention to their websites and email promotions for codes that chop the price of your road trip essentials.

For road warriors, using apps like Turo — which lets you book cars directly from individual owners — can offer even deeper discounts during these sales.

Tips to Make the Most of Black Friday Travel Deals

1. Start Early, Stay Organized

Black Friday deals are as much about preparation as they are about luck. Set notifications for your favorite travel platforms now and start screenshotting prices so you know a great deal when you see one.

2. Be Flexible with Dates and Locations

Flexibility is your golden ticket to snagging incredible deals. Compare travel dates and destination options, and don’t shy away from midweek departures or “off-season” locations.

3. Use Apps for Real-Time Alerts

Apps like Hopper and Airfarewatchdog will notify you when flight prices drop, while sites like Scott’s Cheap Flights point travelers toward international fare steals.

4. Don’t Forget Cashback Sites

Travel platforms often team up with cashback apps like Rakuten or Honey on Black Friday. By booking through these apps, you can earn a portion of your money back on top of discounts.

5. Read the Fine Print

Before splurging on a too-good-to-be-true deal, double-check restrictions. Are the travel dates firm? Will changing your itinerary cost you extra? Make sure to weigh flexibility over price if your plans aren’t 100% locked in.

6. Book ASAP

Many travel deals — especially flights and cruises — have limited availability, meaning once they’re gone, they’re gone. Don’t sleep on that perfect deal; book it as soon as you’ve made up your mind.

When to Book Your Travel Deals

While most sales kick off on the Friday after Thanksgiving, some travel companies extend discounts into Cyber Monday or even for the entire weekend. That said, don’t wait until the last moment. Many platforms launch “pre-Black Friday” sales in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, so start browsing now to map out your game plan.

For example:

  • Expedia and Kayak run week-long promotions leading to Black Friday.
  • Airlines like Alaska often kick off their sales as early as the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Set a timeline based on your preferences and start monitoring prices accordingly!

If you’ve been holding off on booking your dream getaway, Black Friday is your golden opportunity to make it happen. Whether it’s a tropical vacation, a snowy escape, or an adventurous cruise, you can score deals that leave plenty of extra cash for dining, shopping, or souvenirs. With just a little planning, you’ll be on your way to somewhere fabulous before you know it.