Short answer, NO!

I was chatting last week with a client about if it was too late to go somewhere for Thanksgiving.  I told them it wasn’t, but wasn’t sure what availability would be like.  It got me really thinking and off to do some research.

If you want to fly somewhere, it is going to be expensive, no question about it.  There are seats available on flights, but with it being the busiest travel week of the year, they are not going to be cheap.  It is better if you can drive to your destination, especially since the gas prices have been dropping!

In terms of property, it really depends on where you want to go.  If it is a location, like coastal California, a lot of properties have no vacancy available.  I know one property I reserved for a client last month is now full.  However, look at the less obvious choices.

For instance, I live in Idaho, so for us, locations within a day drive include Seattle, Portland, Tahoe, Salt Lake City/Park City, Jackson Hole, etc.  When calling around, Seattle and Lake Tahoe both had properties in the Virtuoso network with amazing value in their rates.  It is shoulder to low season for many of these areas as they do not have snow yet or are not sunny and this is reflected in the rates.  On top of rates being lower, clients still get all the really amazing value added amenities I get to offer as a Virtuoso advisor.  One more bonus, since it is off season, the properties might not be full and your stay will be even quieter than expected.

If you want to take a quick trip out of town for Thanksgiving, don’t try to go where everyone else is already heading. Instead, look for the locations a little out of season for a some really great rates and availability.