(CHICAGO) — As Labor Day marked the unofficial end of summer, AAA says now is the time for travelers to begin planning their Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s vacations.
According to a new AAA travel survey, 24-percent of Illinoisans begin planning holiday trips during September and October, while only 8-percent wait until November or December.
For many travelers, cost is driving those decisions. The survey found that budget concerns and waiting for lower prices are the leading reasons travelers delay booking trips. Yet that strategy often backfires. Nearly half of residents said they delayed booking a trip and later paid more than they would have if they booked earlier. Sixteen percent paid significantly more, while 32-percent paid somewhat more.
“Many travelers are hoping to find a better deal by waiting,” said Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unfortunately, our survey shows that strategy doesn’t always pay off. Travelers don’t need to book the first itinerary they find, but this is a good time to start researching options, comparing prices and making decisions before choices become more limited.”
The survey also found that staying within budget and finding the best price are travelers’ biggest sources of planning stress. Overspending is the most common travel-planning regret, followed by waiting too long to book.
AAA Tips:
Establish a budget before booking
Compare multiple travel dates
Consider traveling before or after peak holiday weeks
Set price alerts and monitor fare changes
Book once the itinerary aligns with your budget and priorities
*The AAA Consumer Pulse Survey was conducted online among 400 Illinois residents from August 5–13, 2026. Survey results asked for all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 4.9 percentage points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Illinois.
