I’m not big on setting resolutions or making vision boards as one year rolls into the next. I don’t subscribe to the pressure to reinvent myself every January, but there is one ritual I practice at the beginning of a new year. With a whole blank calendar spread out in front of me, I like to take this time to plan all my travel for the year ahead. January is my chance to outline my travel budget for the year, lock in my next dream vacation spot, and get a head start on organizing travel for weddings and other events. I love mapping out my year in terms of where I’m headed and filling my calendar with trips I’ll look forward to over the next 12 months.
And it seems I’m not alone in front-loading my travel planning at the beginning of the year. In the travel industry, it’s a whole phenomenon called “Planuary.”
Why book travel in January?
After the holidays have passed and the doldrums of winter have set in, January and February often see a surge in travel bookings. According to a recent survey by point.me, a search tool that helps travelers book flights using credit card points, 61% of travelers who haven’t yet booked their travel for 2026 plan to do so in January or February.
“Taking a few moments to get your life sorted and have a solid plan provides so much comfort and confidence throughout the year,” said Tiffany Funk, travel expert and co-founder of point.me. “This is true for bigger goals, like your health and finances, but it absolutely applies to travel as well. Think of it as taking a holistic view of your life and wealth.”
Need more convincing? Here’s why planning travel at the beginning of the year can help you save money, snag better airline seats, and make the most of your PTO in 2026.
Great travel deals abound
Trying to book your flight at the exact moment prices drop is a tricky dance. However, the window for finding great deals might be wider than you think. According to point.me, the best deals for international flights often pop up between 2-8 months before departure. And for peak travel times like summer and the holiday season, that window can extend to 3-11 months. Now that the holiday rush has ended, you may see much lower prices as demand also drops. “That means we’re in the sweet spot for finding great summer deals, and about to enter the prime window for deals for next Christmas as well,” Funk said.
The whole year is open for booking
Especially if you’re traveling for a specific occasion and don’t have much flexibility in your travel dates, looking for flights early is not a bad idea. You can easily snag your preferred seat on your preferred airline without worrying about the limited availability that comes with booking last-minute. Most major airlines release flights for booking about 330 days in advance. So, if you’re looking at flights in late January or early February, the whole calendar year will be open for booking.
You can lock in PTO early
As things get busy throughout the year, it’s all too easy to let your PTO go unused. But if you lock in vacation dates early on, that time is already blocked off on your calendar for you to take a step away. Booking travel early is a great way to strategically plan your PTO, so you don’t end up with a bunch of unused days at the end of the year. You’re also more likely to get your preferred dates approved. If your team operates on a first-come, first-served basis for PTO, submitting those requests early in the year gives you a much better chance of securing prime dates—especially for popular travel times like around spring break or major holidays.
You have the best options when booking with credit card points
Have a bunch of credit card points burning a hole in your digital wallet? Booking travel in advance will help you stretch those points as far as possible. “Not every seat on a plane is bookable with points,” Funk said. “Many airlines only release a certain amount of award seats, so the sooner you start looking, the more inventory will be available to you and the better your chances of getting the flight you want at a great fare.” According to point.me, you can often find the best options for booking with points about 9-12 months before departure. So, if you’re eyeing a trip in late 2026, now’s the time to snag a freebie flight with points.
It gives you something to look forward to
Saving money is great and all, but the real magic lies in having concrete travel plans to look forward to throughout the year. Especially in the dead of winter when you’re mostly stuck indoors, having something to research, plan, and dream about can make all the difference. Nearly a third of the respondents in point.me’s survey said they like to plan travel early in the year because they need something to look forward to. As a Type A planner who loves a detailed itinerary, I can attest that the anticipation can be nearly as exciting as the trip itself. “Booking early gives you something to look forward to, and it gives you an extended window to plan your trip without rushing and to save up money for all the things you want to do,” Funk said.
Want more travel tips and hacks? You’ll love these:
- Planning a Trip in 2026? The Best Time to Book Your Flight, According to Google
- 10 Game-Changing Hacks That Will Save You Money on Vacation
- 11 Crucial Things to Know Before Your Next International Trip
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
We get it: Your PTO is precious. So when you finally set that OOO message, you deserve a trip that’s unforgettable—not one that makes you feel like you need another vacation to recover. We compiled our favorite travel destinations, must-have travel gear, and sanity-saving hacks to bring you The Everygirl’s Ultimate Guide to Travel, so you can spend less time stressing and more time soaking it all in.
