Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Hotwire Reports 82% of U.S. Adults Have Yet to Book Turkey Day Travel

Holiday prices are on the rise; but here are tips for those last-minute bookers.

by Staff
November 7, 2011
3 min to read


Hotwire.com, a discount travel site, reported that of those U.S. adults planning to travel for Thanksgiving this year, 82 percent have not booked their travel (e.g., airfare, car rental, hotel) as of Nov. l 1st), as of Nov. 1, according to a poll conducted online of more than 2,000 adults.

"So far, Thanksgiving prices have been pretty consistent with last year, but we're expecting increases to begin now as the 21-day countdown to Thanksgiving begins," said Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group. "This year, airlines are following the advance purchase rule more so than in recent years, which means within the few weeks leading up to the holiday prices should start to increase more and more. However, with the right tips, travelers can still score some great deals on all their travel needs."

Ad Loading...

Hotwire recommends the following five tips to help last-minute bookers save money this Thanksgiving: 

1.  Book your plane tickets ASAP as airlines are expected to raise fares starting today. Airlines are enforcing the 21-day advance purchase window more this year than they have in the past. So, if you see a good deal, book it now.

2.  Avoid traveling on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after, as these are the most expensive days to travel. For the lowest pricing, try to fly out early on Thanksgiving Day and return the Saturday after the holiday.

3.  Consider flying into an alternate airport that can offer cheaper fares. For example, consider Oakland in place of San Francisco, or Ft. Lauderdale in place of Miami. Many low-cost carriers like JetBlue and Southwest call these airports home, and this can translate into hundreds of dollars in savings.

4.  Whether you're driving to your destination or flying and need a rental car, look for cheaper rates from opaque sites like Hotwire, or check out sites like Carrentals.com that offer a wider range of rental company options from smaller providers. In many cases you can find car rentals for as low as $13.95 a day.

Ad Loading...

5.  Book a hotel, and do it last-minute. This may sound counter-intuitive, but the fact is most travelers stay with family over Thanksgiving, so hotels in many popular cities will have plenty of unsold rooms. With an over-supply of open rooms, they use Hotwire to help fill them at incredible discounts. Often the best savings can be found just three days from your arrival date.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive via its QuickQuery omnibus product on behalf of Hotwire from Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2011 among 2,429 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

More Rental Operations

Franchisee standing with yellow U-Save branded sign in front of the rental car outlet.

Green Motion And U-Save Open Rental Operations In Guatemala

The brands will open their first rental car outlets in the country at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.

Read More →
An airplane parked at a gate next to large headline and bullet points about study highlights.

U.S. Business Travel Drives $623 Billion+ in Economic Impact as Spending Reaches $538 Billion

The data also underscores the industry’s strong multiplier effect across the U.S. economy, revealing that each dollar invested in business travel in 2024 generated $1.16 in GDP.

Read More →
Green and black bar graphs show May 2025 v. 2026 fleet vehicle sales into commercial, rental, and government fleet sectors.
Fleet Acquisitionby Martin RomjueJune 3, 2026

Rental Fleet Sales Skating Just Above 2025 Levels

The U.S. economy's continued growth and positive business investment are creating a favorable environment for fleet vehicle demand.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Interviewer Martin Romjue and guest Ryan Kerzner on both sides of a title page with large lettering.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueJune 3, 2026

Grow Your Rental Business Beyond Cars

Rental fleet operations are facing numerous evolving challenges and opportunities from AI technology to rate and revenue management, to customer service and business growth.

Read More →
An AI-imaging tunnel instantly scans a car for damages at Wenn's location in Lithuania.
Rental OperationsJune 2, 2026

Using AI to Create Clarity, Not Conflict, in Rental Car Damage

Rental companies still need people, policy, judgment, and thoughtful implementation, with operators remaining in control of the customer experience.

Read More →
Close up of a high-tech vehicle console with a remote key.
Rental OperationsJune 1, 2026

Get Ready To Roll: No Stopping Self-Driving Rental Cars

The autonomous mobility technology revolution will move at its own pace, but sooner rather than later.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two execs hold up a sign with Southwest and CarTrawler logos

Southwest Airlines Selects CarTrawler For Its Car Rental Booking Platform

The platform is designed to allow customers to compare and book rental vehicles more easily during the travel booking process.

Read More →
Speaker John Healy on stage with a podium, screen, and red curtains in the background.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueMay 27, 2026

Cross-Pressures, Evolving Trends Drive 2026 Rental Car Industry

A combination of cautious economic behavior, shifts in the rental vehicle market, and technological influences are shaping car rental operator decisions.

Read More →
Award winner on stage with presenters in front of yellow curtain.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueMay 27, 2026

Government Affairs Executive Wins Leading Rental Car Industry Award

Robert Muhs started in the car rental industry with Avis Budget Group two years before the first International Car Rental Show.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The rental car team at the Green Motion franchise office near the Maputo International Airport in Mozambique.

Green Motion Expands Its African Presence with Mozambique Launch

This new rental car outlet reflects the growing demand for reliable transportation and the emphasis on sustainable travel across the continent.

Read More →
Ad Loading...