Still need to book flights for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s? Don’t panic! Last-minute holiday travel can be challenging, but the right points and miles strategies can help you find available flights without overspending.

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On this episode, Travis and Lovan break down how to book last-minute flights with points and miles, even when prices are high and your preferred award seats are hard to find. They’re sharing practical ways to expand your search, compare booking options, and decide when paying cash actually makes the most sense.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How to find last-minute holiday flights with points and miles
  • Why flexible travel dates can unlock better award availability
  • The potential benefits of flying on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day
  • How nearby departure and arrival airports can expand your options
  • When to pay cash instead of redeeming points
  • How to compare travel portal bookings with airline award tickets
  • How booking flights through airline partners can save miles
  • Why booking a backup flight and checking again closer to departure can pay off
  • How to decide when a higher-than-usual points redemption is still worthwhile

Whether you’re booking a flight home to see family or looking for a holiday getaway, these strategies can help you find opportunities you might otherwise miss!

Timestamps:
00:00 Last-Minute Holiday Travel
04:00 How Late Is Too Late to Book Holiday Travel?
05:15 Managing Expectations for Award Availability
10:30 The Holiday Flight Search Playbook
11:00 Finding Better Flights with Flexible Dates and Airports
16:00 Rethinking Your Destination to Find More Award Flights
17:45 Cash vs. Points: How to Choose the Best Booking Option
21:30 Booking Through Airline Partners and Finding Backup Flights
25:00 Last-Minute Holiday Travel Tips
29:45 The Rules of Holiday Award Travel
33:30 Join 10xTravel+ for Award Alerts
35:00 Take the 15-Minute Holiday Search Challenge

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