You’re probably familiar with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, days where deals are found across all markets. But did you know there’s a day dedicated just for tourism? Travel Tuesday (2 December) is when you can score cheap flights, hotel rooms, excursions and more. Think of it as a chance to book your dream trip on a budget.

What is Travel Tuesday?

Travel Tuesday, the day after U.S. Thanksgiving weekend (2nd December), was born to cater to those of us who prefer to spend our money on making memories and experiencing new things rather than material possessions.

So, if you love to travel, you’ll want to take part. Think of Travel Tuesday is your ticket to savings. Most airlines start to roll out their discounts on Monday night, and Tuesday morning you’ll find some of the lowest prices, saving on average between 15% and 25%.

A small tip? If you’re looking for travel deals overseas, keep searching on Wednesday (3rd December). While it’s Wednesday in Australia, it’ll be Travel Tuesday across the date line.

Tips for finding Travel Tuesday flight deals

The following 11 strategies can help you uncover the best Travel Tuesday deals.

1. Activate Price Alerts

Activating Price Alerts on Skyscanner for your favorite destinations or potential travel dates is a game changer when it comes to making the most of Tuesday travel deals. Once you’ve selected your destination and travel dates, Skyscanner continuously monitors flight prices and sends you notifications when there’s a price drop, helping you pounce on the perfect deal.

2. Verify deals

When looking at a flight deal, consider more than just the ticket price. Check the included amenities, look at policies to understand if checked bags, carry-ons, or in-flight meals are included and if there are extra fees.

Additionally, consider in-flight entertainment options, WiFi availability, and seat comfort, especially for longer journeys. Airlines like Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar may have varying levels of amenities, so understanding what you value most can help you choose the best deal for your preferences.

Convenient airport locations are another crucial factor. Review where the flight departs from and lands.

Lastly, check the airline’s change fees and cancellation policies.

3. Apply promo codes and credit card offers

Promo codes, often available through airlines, travel agencies or email subscriptions, can lead to discounts on flights, accommodations or vacation packages. Look for these codes, especially during major sales events like Travel Tuesday.

Certain credit cards come with travel-related benefits that further enhance your savings and travel experience. Some offer incentives beyond points and miles, such as airline credits, airport lounge access, and generous sign-up bonuses that can translate into savings on travel expenses.

By using promo codes and picking the right travel credit card, you can unlock considerable savings while enjoying additional perks that elevate your travel experience.

4. Compare flights, hotels and car rentals

Skyscanner allows you to compare prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals from major companies and travel agents all in one place — with transparent pricing and no added fees. This comprehensive view helps you ensure that the savings you get on flights aren’t offset by expensive hotels or inconvenient locations that may increase your overall travel costs.

By using Skyscanner, you can individually select specific flights, hotel deals, and car rental options that align with your preferences and budget, allowing you to make informed decisions for a cost-effective and enjoyable trip.

5. Compare domestic and international flights

Exploring domestic flight and international flight deals broadens your travel horizons. For domestic trips, discover your own country’s charm, from city breaks to beach vacations. Internationally, dive into new cultures and cuisines.

When you search for flights on Skyscanner, you can filter flights by price, duration, number of layovers and more. Plus, get detailed information on baggage policies, amenities and user reviews for informed choices.

6. Explore alternate destinations

Flexibility with your travel destination is key, especially on Travel Tuesday. It lets you capitalise on discounts and explore unique, crowd-free experiences. Use Skyscanner’s “Search Everywhere” feature to find lesser-known gems and savings. For example:

• Instead of Paris, try Lyon or Marseille for affordable French culture.

• Opt for Eindhoven or Rotterdam in the Netherlands instead of Amsterdam.

• Explore Fukuoka or Sapporo in Japan instead of Tokyo.

7. Be flexible with travel dates

Flexibility in your travel dates can help you find the best deals. Skyscanner offers a “Whole Month” search feature that allows you to find the most affordable dates to fly within a specific month. Adjusting your travel days, such as flying on a Tuesday or during off-peak seasons, can further help you achieve significant savings on both flights and accommodations.

But before you book that flight, do a quick hotel search to ensure that what seems like an off-peak season really will be slow. Popular destinations like Sydney, for example, have conventions and big events year-round, so it’s worth checking to see if anything is going on nearby that might drive up hotel prices or cause them to book up quickly.

8. Book round-trip flights

Booking round-trip flights rather than one-way tickets can often result in substantial cost savings, especially when considering airlines that are known for offering competitive fares.

Here’s why round-trip fares can offer better value:

• Pricing structure. When you book a round-trip flight, you’re committing to both legs of your journey with the airline, allowing them to offer a bundled fare at a lower per-flight cost compared to booking each leg individually.

• Consistency in pricing. Airlines often maintain consistent pricing for round-trip flights, which can lead to predictability in your travel expenses. In contrast, one-way fares can be subject to dynamic pricing, making it challenging to secure a fixed, budget-friendly rate for each leg of your journey.

• Promotions and discounts. Airlines frequently offer promotions and discounts on round-trip fares. These can include seasonal sales, loyalty program rewards or special deals for specific routes.

• Reduced fees. Booking a round-trip flight typically incurs fewer fees compared to booking two separate one-way tickets. You may save on fees such as booking fees, change fees and baggage fees, as airlines often bundle these costs into the overall round-trip fare.

9. Check for airline partnerships and alliances

Airline partnerships and alliances offer an array of benefits that can lead to better deals, reduced fees and shared loyalty points.

One advantage of airline partnerships is the ability to earn and redeem loyalty points across multiple carriers within the same alliance. You can benefit from reduced fees when connecting between airlines within the same alliance, offering smoother travel experiences, particularly during layovers.

On Travel Tuesday, these alliances often leverage the shopping frenzy to roll out special promotions and discounts, making it an ideal time to explore their benefits.

Airline alliances include:

• oneworld. Comprising Qantas, Cathay Pacific,

  Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines and Fiji Airways, among others.

• Star Alliance. Featuring airlines like Air New Zealand,

  Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and Thai Airways.

• Velocity. With members such as Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.

10. Consider nearby airports

Flying into or out of nearby airports is a smart strategy for finding better flight deals and potentially saving on airfare. It offers travellers more flexibility and the opportunity to explore different airport options, especially if you live in an area with multiple airports nearby or are flying to a destination with more than one option. For example, if you want to fly to Gold Coast, you can choose that airport or fly into Brisbane, which is just 86 kilometres (and an easy train ride) north.

It’s easy to compare prices at nearby airports with Skyscanner. Enter your cities, choose your dates and click “Add nearby airports” for a comprehensive search.

11. Prepare for future Travel Tuesday flight deals

Monitoring flight price trends is wise for future travel planning. Set up Price Alerts, use “Cheapest Month” to find budget-friendly times, and explore deals with “Search Everywhere” for flexibility.

Top Trending Destinations for Travel Tuesday

Black Friday period flight deals can deliver big savings, though discounts vary by route. We’ve analysed the data to highlight the top trending destinations from last year’s Black Friday period, where flight searches surged compared with the rest of 2024.

Top trending countries during the Black Friday period

*Based on 2024 Skyscanner data

Top trending cities during the Black Friday period

*Based on 2024 Skyscanner data

Top travel hacks for even more deals

Real deal hunters don’t wing it. They train for this. Here’s how to sharpen your booking game before Cyber Weekend kicks off:

Hack 1: Set the Alerts
Price Alerts track fares for you and let you know the moment prices drop. Smart, simple, essential.

Hack 2: Explore Everywhere
Not fixed on a destination? Explore Everywhere shows our best-value trips from your airport in seconds.

Hack 3: Spot the Real Drops
Use the Drops feature in our app to see all prices from your airport that have dropped 20% or more that day.

Hack 4: Play the Date Game
Flex your travel dates by a day or two and watch hidden deals appear. Small shift, big difference.

Hack 5: Filter Fast
Before you dive into endless results, use filters to cut the clutter. Less scrolling, more booking.

Find Travel Tuesday flight deals

Travel Tuesday is the best day for savvy travellers to find great deals and plan their next adventure. Whether you’re taking the family to a tropical getaway in Bali, going celeb-spotting in Los Angeles, or flexing your passport for a trip to London, use Skyscanner to stay informed and guide you to affordable airfare and unforgettable experiences.