We know that the holidays always bring a surge of travelers, going around the country to be with family. When do people actually buy their plane tickets? Alkami Research examined aggregate amounts spent with airlines on a weekly basis from September to December 2023 to find out.
The research shows a surge of airline purchase activity immediately after Thanksgiving and through the second week of December. Looking at last year can be an indication on how consumers will spend this year on airline travel.
Account holders will be in planning mode immediately after Thanksgiving. As Alkami Research learned in last week’s chart, that’s also when online shopping starts. This intel on consumer spending can give financial institutions direction for relevant messaging to account holders to encourage spending on the institution’s credit or debit card. Consider a limited window holiday cash back promotion on airline and hotel spend. Holidays can be an expensive time of the year, and a chance for regional and community financial institutions to provide some financial support and boost engagement.
