This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
When most people think of Black Friday, they picture long lines at electronics stores to scoop up discounted big-screen TVs or upgrade to the latest laptop. What doesn’t always come to mind right away, though, are the incredible Black Friday travel deals. The days between Black Friday and Travel Tuesday (the Tuesday after Cyber Monday) have become one of the best times of the year to score massive savings on flights, cruises, hotels, and travel gear.
Airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and booking platforms are all competing for your attention during this shopping week. That competition means travelers like you can save big. At Travel The Unexpected, this is hands-down one of our favorite weeks of the year to plan adventures, because the deals are just too good to pass up.
In this guide, we’ll show you:
- Why Black Friday travel deals are worth it
- When to start hunting for discounts
- Insider hacks to maximize savings
- Mistakes to avoid when booking
- The best travel gear to watch for
Ready to book your next trip for less? Let’s dive in.
Why Black Friday Travel Deals Are Worth It!
Airlines:
Airfare is one of the biggest expenses in travel, but Black Friday changes the game. Thanks to fierce competition, many airlines slash fares by 20–50%. That can mean $100–$150 off domestic tickets and sometimes half off international fares.
A few examples from past years:
▪️One-way domestic flights as low as $39 from JetBlue and Southwest
▪️$250 round-trip fares from the U.S. to Europe
▪️Business class upgrades for less than economy prices during flash sales
Pro Tip: Watch for mid-week departures. Airlines often lower prices for Tuesday and Wednesday flights. Sign up for alerts from American, Delta, United, Southwest, and JetBlue to catch the best fares before they disappear.
Hotels:
Hotels also jump into the Black Friday frenzy, with savings between 30 and 50%. Platforms like Booking.com and Hotels.com often advertise up to 50% off properties worldwide.
If you’re loyal to a hotel chain, don’t skip their private sales. Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton loyalty members often receive 25% off or more during Cyber Week. Hyatt, IHG, and boutique collections also roll out targeted deals to fill rooms for slower months (like January–March).
Pro Tip: Always compare booking directly with the hotel versus using a platform. Sometimes direct bookings include perks like free breakfast, late checkout, or bonus points.
Vacation Packages & Cruises:
If you’re looking for bundled value, vacation packages and cruises are where the biggest savings live.
- Vacation packages: Flights + hotels + activities bundled together often save travelers $500–$750 or more.
- Resorts: Sandals and Club Med have offered up to 65% off rack rates, plus extras like booking credits or free nights.
- Cruises: Major lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival frequently cut fares by 40% or more. Expect additional perks like reduced deposits, free drink packages, or onboard credits.
Pro Tip: Expedia often combines cruise discounts with airfare or hotel bundles, sometimes shaving $500+ off your total trip cost.
Travel Gear & Accessories:
Don’t forget travel gear! Black Friday travel deals aren’t just about booking trips. It’s also the best time to upgrade your travel essentials, like new luggage, backpacks, and travel tech. Brands like Samsonite, TUMI, Bose, and Sony typically offer 50–65% off.
Here are some of our favorite travel essentials to watch for deals on:
Luggage & Bags
- Quince Expandable Carry-On: A lightweight, durable suitcase that expands when you need extra space. Perfect for weekend trips or long getaways.
- Samsonite Carry-On Luggage: Another great carry-on option with a solid reputation. Not to mention this luggage is lightweight, maneuvers smoothly, and also comes in beautiful colors.
- Cotopaxi Backpacks (28L): Our ultimate travel hack. This 2-pound, compact backpack somehow fits up to a week’s worth of clothing (as long as you skip the bulky sweaters and coats) while still qualifying as a personal item. It even has a dedicated laptop compartment, keeping everything organized and making travel a lot less stressful. Honestly, it feels like sneaking in an extra carry-on without the baggage fees. We’re not sponsored by Cotopaxi; we just love their mission and their gear. If you’d rather shop on Amazon, you can also find a few of their backpacks here.
Packing & Organization
- Tripped Compression Bags: These are our FAVORITE compression bags to organize and compress those clothes down as much as possible. They are beautifully designed and of fantastic quality. These are the exact ones that we’ve had for years, and they’re still going strong.
- Airplane Pockets: For a clean solution to those gross tray tables, we love these airplane pockets. They are germ-resistant, waterproof, and have four pockets to put your items in so that you don’t leave anything behind. Best of all, they take up very little space in your personal bag.
Travel Tech
This is also the perfect time to upgrade your travel tech. From noise-canceling headphones and portable chargers to smart luggage and universal adapters, many of the best travel gadgets see their steepest discounts of the year from Black Friday through Travel Tuesday. Scoring deals on these essentials can make your trips more comfortable, connected, and stress-free, without paying full price.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones: Look for Bose or Sony markdowns.
- Portable Power Banks: Power banks like this one from Anker are essential for long-haul flights or layovers.
- Apple AirTags or Tile Trackers: Slip an Apple AirTag or Tile Tracker in your suitcase, and you’ll always know where your bag is, even if the airline misplaces it. You can check its last location right from your phone while waiting at baggage claim.
Clothing
- Unbound Merino: Frequent travelers swear by this brand for good reason. Their Merino wool clothing is lightweight, breathable, and naturally regulates your body temperature, keeping you cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Even better, it’s odor-resistant and can be worn multiple times without washing, which means you can pack lighter and save precious suitcase space. Plus, if you have to do laundry in your sink, these pieces dry quickly! While these pieces are an investment, the quality is outstanding and built to last. Unbound Merino typically offers up to 40% off during Black Friday through Cyber Monday, making it the perfect time to test out a piece or two.
- Budget Merino Options: We get it, Merino wool comes with a hefty price tag. If you just want to try out a piece or two without the premium price, we recommend products like these base layers found on Amazon. They are great when traveling to colder climates.
Gifts for Travelers
If you have avid travelers in your life and need some great gift ideas, this is a great time to shop on sites like Etsy and Amazon, which run discounts on personalized travel gifts, scratch-off maps, or practical gadgets that globetrotters love. Here are just a few ideas that are worth checking out:
- Personalized luggage tags
- Beautifully detailed hand-made world maps
- Portable espresso makers for the person who loves to camp
- Collapsible water bottles for the hiker or biker in your life (We’ve taken these to Europe and found them handy!)
When to Start Hunting for Deals:
Don’t wait until the turkey leftovers are gone, because many travel brands launch deals 1–2 weeks before Black Friday. Airlines and hotels want to secure bookings for their slower winter season, so they often drop prices early. Once those discounted rooms and seats are gone, prices creep back up.
Here’s your 2025 Black Friday travel timeline:
- 2 weeks before Black Friday: Sign up for newsletters, join loyalty programs, and set up fare alerts
- Thanksgiving Day: Some airlines quietly release early deals
- Black Friday (Nov 28, 2025): Major airline and hotel sales begin
- Cyber Monday (Dec 1, 2025): Look for online-exclusive flash sales
- Travel Tuesday (Dec 2, 2025): Historically, the cheapest day for airfare
Planning Checklist:
- Make a wishlist of flights, hotels, or gear ahead of time
- Have your budget ready
- Keep your credit card handy (deals vanish quickly)
- Bookmark booking platforms and retailer pages
Insider Hacks to Maximize Savings
Want to stretch your savings even further? Try these hacks:
Stretch Your Points Further: Black Friday travel sales can make your loyalty points go a long way. Airlines and hotels sometimes discount award bookings during Cyber Week, meaning you’ll need fewer miles or points to book. In some cases, adding a small cash payment can unlock a big redemption, letting you save your points for future trips.
Stay flexible: The more open you are with dates and destinations, the better your chances of grabbing great deals.
Set fare alerts: Use Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to track price drops.
Book quickly: If you see a deal you love, don’t hesitate. Flash sales often vanish in hours.
Use private browsing: Clear cookies or search in incognito mode to avoid dynamic pricing. Using a VPN can sometimes unlock lower fares in other regions.
Stack discounts: Combine retailer sales with cashback platforms like Rakuten or TopCashback for extra savings. Rakuten often increases its cash back deals during this time of year. Another bonus? You can opt to get American Express miles instead of cash back through your Rakuten account.
Pay smart: During the Black Friday travel season, certain credit cards can boost your savings with built-in perks and occasional limited-time offers. Around Black Friday and Cyber Week, credit card issuers sometimes roll out seasonal promotions, such as enhanced welcome bonuses, extra credits, or temporary higher rewards rates, that make these cards even more valuable for travelers. This could be the perfect time to apply.
Biggest Mistakes Travelers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
- Waiting too long: The best deals drop early. If you wait until Cyber Monday, you may have already missed the lowest fares.
- Ignoring fine print: Always check for blackout dates, hidden fees, and baggage costs before hitting “book.”
- Booking non-refundable fares: Whenever possible, choose refundable. If that’s not an option, make sure your travel plans are firm.
- Trusting sketchy third-party sites: Stick to reputable booking platforms. Verify cancellation policies before entering your payment info.
ALWAYS double-check the details!
Final Thoughts
From flights and hotels to cruises and travel gear, Black Friday through Travel Tuesday is packed with opportunities to save. With the right strategy (setting alerts, staying flexible, and booking quickly), you could shave hundreds (sometimes thousands) off your next adventure.
Bookmark this guide, share it with your travel buddies, and keep your wishlist ready. This Black Friday could be the start of your next great adventure!
If you enjoyed this guide, stay tuned for our guide 75 Unique Gifts for Travel Lovers Who Have Everything, which will be coming out soon. Until then, check out our guide on The Best Souvenirs To Make, Customize, & Collect From Around The World!
