Last-minute holiday travel deals to snag this weekend

Welcome to our weekly roundup of last-minute travel deals on flights, hotels, luggage, and more. We're scouting the best discounts ahead of the weekend, whether you're ready to travel tomorrow or sometime in the near future. Keep up with all our shopping coverage here.

Plenty of hotels and online travel agencies are dishing out holiday discounts for end-of-year getaways, whether you still need a spot to put up your cousin or you’re trying to avoid family altogether.

There are sales both close to home and around the globe, as international destinations continue to trend for holiday travelers looking to avoid heated dinner table conversations about the state of American politics — or who are simply ready to splurge on their first getaway in years. Of course, if you just can't wait that long and need to get away this weekend, these deals cover last-minute adventures, too. 

We’ve rounded up the best holiday travel deals, from rental car discounts to cheap hotels, plus other airport hacks for saving time and money — so you can spend more of your energy this month being merry and bright.

Here are the best travel deals we've found this week:  

Hotel deals

Expedia

Members can grab up to 20% in savings on hotels in "warm winter getaways." We're seeing Hawaii flight and hotel packages under $400 as part of the deal.  

Priceline

Priceline’s “Season of Savings” features discounts up to $50 on select hotel and rental car deals when using the code TISTHESEASON through Dec. 12. Additionally, select Orlando hotels are up to 40% off. 

Caesars Entertainment

This hotel portfolio includes popular Vegas and Tahoe hotels, and it's dishing out discounts up to 30% on select hotels when you book stays three nights or longer. Use promo code LONG3 until Jan. 31, 2023, valid for stays through March 2. Is anyone in for a Vegas New Year? 

Ace Hotels

Find rooms at various Ace properties for up to 35% off when you book by Dec. 9. The Seattle location isn't part of the deal, but you'll find discounts in Portland and Palm Springs for stays now through Sept. 4, 2023.

Flight deals

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor has slashed prices by 50% on its Reco local experts, who can help plan and book your next vacation. You plug in your destination and let these guides do the rest for just $100, originally $200.

Stitch Fix

If you’ve ever arrived at an airport and discovered your luggage had been lost in transit, you know it’s not a feeling you want to feel again. If (knock on wood) that happens to you this holiday season, one company wants to come to the rescue. Stitch Fix, known for its personalized boxes of clothing and accessories, is now offering Travel Style Insurance (whether you’re a member or not).

The company will send a limited number of $500 promo codes or free expedited boxes of clothes to folks whose luggage goes missing. To apply, send a copy of your lost baggage form to Travel-Style-Insurance@stitchfix.com through December.

CLEAR Plus

Did you know there's a way to cut to the front of the airport security line? Right now, Kayak is offering a free three-month trial of the CLEAR Plus membership, which is “a faster way to verify your identity so you don’t have to wait in crowded lines to have your ID checked,” according to the website. (It’s different from TSA PreCheck, which “expedites the physical screening process,” the team adds.)

"Members use CLEAR's network of dedicated lanes to verify their identity with their eyes or fingers, replacing the need to take out their wallet and driver's license," the team explained in a recent press release announcing a partnership with Boise Airport. Nab the trial for the holiday season; the annual fee is $189. 

Luggage deals

Amazon

If you just got your luggage out of storage and can’t find your packing cubes, Amazon has plenty of holiday deals on solutions, from suitcases and backpacks to cross-body bags, passport holders, and more.

Away

Save up to $50 in holiday savings when you buy any two suitcases (or $100 on three) from this popular luggage brand as part of its limited-time "Mix, Match, and Save" sale.

Monos

The minimalist luggage brand is holding a "Spend to Save" sale Dec. 9-25 where shoppers can get $75 back on purchases of $500 or $150 on carts totaling $800.