Forbes - Forbes Advisors Holiday Travel Edition

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Special Travel Edition Fall/Winter 2022

Note from Caroline

Hello and welcome to the new Forbes Advisor quarterly travel newsletter, a supplemental edition of the Forbes Advisor financial newsletter where I'll send you the latest travel updates and news.

In this issue, I’ll share destinations that should be on your radar this winter and some challenges to be aware of before planning any winter trips.

I’m a full-time digital nomad so I'll report on travel trends firsthand from around the world. I’m currently in Bangkok, Thailand—my first time back to Asia since 2019—and I couldn’t be more excited to be here. 

Happy traveling! 

Caroline

Caroline Lupini

Managing Editor, Credit Cards & Travel Rewards

This Winter: Expect Airfare and Lodging Prices To Remain High, Especially for Popular Destinations and Properties

Leisure travel remains top of mind for the many who didn’t travel during 2020 and 2021 and conference travel is just starting to make a comeback. This means you’ll see the highest prices at top destinations and at the most popular (and conference) hotels in second-tier destinations. Everyone’s also excited to see grandma and grandpa again for the holidays, so expect budget and family-friendly hotels to have high occupancy and higher prices, too.

Where does this leave you if you want to save on travel for your winter travels this year? Look at mid-range properties in secondary and tertiary travel markets for the best value.

Trends in travel insurance purchases show that sand and sun are still high on the list for trips outside the U.S. Data from Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison provider, shows that Mexico leads the destination list for Americans going abroad.

Carolines Holiday Travel Picks:

See The Northern Lights

The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world. For centuries, people have been fascinated by their ethereal beauty, and today, travelers from all over the globe come to see them. There are places to have a decent chance of seeing the northern lights in the U.S. and now’s the time to lock in a winter trip to one of those destinations.

Hit Up a Hotel That Goes All-Out For The Holidays

If you don’t have holiday plans just yet or you’re hoping to add a little more to your calendar, consider a stay at a hotel that goes all-out for the holidays—some of which are bookable with hotel rewards points. These hotels know how to celebrate, with holiday cheer in the form of elaborate decorations, on-site activities and special touches that are sure to delight, and offer celebrations throughout the holiday season. Keep in mind that availability can change, so if you’re not sure about your travel plans, it could be wise to book a refundable reservation now.

Book An All-Inclusive

The holidays are a busy time of year, and it can be difficult to find the time to plan a vacation. Luckily, there are plenty of all-inclusive resorts that make booking a holiday getaway a breeze—and appealing options are available if you want to book a Hyatt all-inclusive with your Ultimate Rewards points (or with your World of Hyatt points if you have some already). If you’re considering a booking with points, definitely lock it in now because availability is limited. Points booked typically offer more flexible cancellation policies compared to the cheapest cash prices.

Protect Your Wallet with Travel Insurance

While every trip is unique, travel insurance can protect you regardless of where your adventure takes you. If you’re worried about insurance costs eating into your travel fund, don’t fret too much. Travel insurance can cost 5% to 6% of your trip cost—or even less. Some of the best travel credit cards even offer included travel protections for no additional cost.

Comprehensive travel insurance policies package valuable benefits together, but you can also buy policies that cover only trip cancellation or medical expenses. With the wide variety of plans available, you can find coverage levels that fit your budget and trip needs. 

Whether you’re looking for low-cost coverage for a stateside trip to visit family, a comprehensive policy for an overseas excursion of a lifetime or something in between, Forbes Advisor is here to help.

This email was sent to you from Forbes Advisor. The content may contain promotional offers from our advertising partners. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, simply click here to Unsubscribe

Contact US:

Forbes Marketplace
251 Little Falls Drive
Wilmington, DE 19808