Holiday airfare is down. Why isn’t travel spending?

By Craig Joseph, NerdWallet

Holiday airfare is down, but Americans are planning to spend more than ever on holiday travel.

A September 2024 report by online travel agency Kayak shows domestic holiday airfare is at its lowest level in three years. Compared to last year, Christmas and New Year’s flight prices are down 9%, while Thanksgiving flight prices are down 6%.

Consumers feeling the pinch from inflation and dwindling personal savings rates may rejoice. However, lower airfare...