A new survey of U.S. adults shows that many people remain undecided about holiday travel even as prices for flights continue to rise. The findings come from a TPG-YouGov poll conducted in September 2026 and point to widespread caution driven by cost and other practical concerns. ([1])With Thanksgiving and Christmas still months away, the data suggest that a large share of potential travelers have yet to commit to any plans.
Many Travelers Have Yet to Book
Among those who said they plan to travel between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, only 15 percent had secured all their arrangements at the time of the survey. Another 15 percent had booked part of their trips, while 65 percent had made no reservations at all. The remaining 5 percent were unsure about their status.
Respondents offered several reasons for the delay. Forty-three percent needed to confirm details with family or friends, and 42 percent hoped that prices would drop before they committed. Thirty-four percent indicated they still needed to save enough money to cover the trip. Logistics such as work schedules and simple procrastination each accounted for 30 percent of responses.
Cost Leads a List of Concerns
High airfares stood out as the dominant worry. Thirty-nine percent of respondents said they were concerned about elevated ticket prices for the holiday period. Crowds at airports and the risk of delays or cancellations each drew concern from 37 percent of those surveyed. Weather-related disruptions worried 36 percent.
Other issues ranked lower on the list of anxieties. Lost luggage concerned 18 percent, packing challenges affected 16 percent, and traveling with gifts troubled just 9 percent. The pattern shows that financial and operational headaches outweigh many of the smaller inconveniences travelers sometimes face.
Price Often Outweighs Loyalty and Rewards
When asked what mattered most when booking flights, 48 percent of respondents planning to fly cited cost as their top factor. Convenience ranked second at 25 percent. The ability to earn or redeem rewards drew only 5 percent, and brand loyalty just 7 percent.
Many travelers also said they would accept trade-offs to keep expenses down. Sixty-three percent agreed it was worth paying more for a more convenient itinerary, yet 70 percent said price mattered more than flying with a preferred airline. A similar share, 71 percent, placed cost above staying at a favorite hotel brand. Sixty-one percent said they would skip redeeming rewards if it meant paying less overall.
Plans Still Take Shape for Some
Road trips remain popular despite higher fuel prices. Twenty-three percent of respondents planned to drive to visit family or friends, and 13 percent intended to drive for a vacation. Domestic flights for family visits or leisure each drew smaller shares at 11 percent and 9 percent. International flights for vacation or family visits accounted for 6 percent and 5 percent respectively.
Looking ahead, 34 percent of those with holiday plans said they expected to redeem more rewards than in the previous season, while 49 percent planned to focus on earning points or miles during their trips. The survey underscores that price sensitivity is shaping decisions across multiple aspects of holiday travel this year.
