It’s a known fact in the travel industry that February is one of the best times to travel. The second month of the year is the shoulder season in many destinations, resulting in lower airfare and hotel rates. It’s the calm before the spring travel storm, and by mid-February, airlines and luxury hotels begin to recalibrate rates for March and April demand.
There’s a window between Presidents’ Day and early March that offers one of the last opportunities for luxury spring travelers to secure leverage. The algorithms haven’t caught up with searches and demand. Availability remains strong, and flexible booking policies can help secure the best amenities.
As you plan for luxury travel experiences this spring, we break down how to book these luxe experiences that still make financial sense, along with the best tools for fares and hotel price tracking to help you decide when to book.
The Best Luxury Categories To Book Now For Spring Travel
When it comes to luxury, prices tend to increase after Presidents’ Day. Book the following experiences before March to lock in the best deals ahead of spring.
Five-Star City Hotels
The first few months of the year are usually quiet for conferences and weddings, but luxury hotels are starting to shift from their winter softness pricing to peak-season pricing. March typically sees more travelers as the weather warms and conference season begins for professional groups, school events, weddings, and more.
Currently, top-of-the-line properties are undercutting the prices compared to what you will see by March, especially on those weekday rates. The key to securing the best deal at top-tier properties is flexibility.
Booking tip: As you evaluate options, entry-level suites often offer more amenities than standard rooms, including exclusive lounge access.
Business Class and Premium Economy Flights
Remember those professional conferences we discussed in the previous category? Well, that is an indicator that corporate travel will resume in March as well. February is the last chance to save big on premium flights ahead of spring break.
At the beginning of March, premium cabin availability will decline, and prices will increase. Expect to see post-Presidents’ Day increases in major hub cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco.
Booking tip: Set alerts using flight-tracking tools on Expedia, FlightAware, Google Flights, Hopper, or Skyscanner. If you notice at least two price increases within a short window, then it’s a signal to take the leap and buy the ticket.
Resort Destinations Will See The Biggest Increase
Spring break is usually synonymous with all-inclusive resorts, so expect beach and wine-country resorts to be among the first to reprice for the spring. Properties in the Caribbean, Riviera Maya, the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Palm Springs, and Miami will begin adjusting their resort rates in late February.
As better room choices become scarcer, travelers who book earlier tend to secure desirable options (e.g., ocean views, balconies) at better prices and have more options for their luxury vacation.
Booking tip: Keep in mind that availability can affect the price. Try to avoid high-demand resorts and destinations such as Cancun, Cabo, Cozumel, and Miami. Also, book a stay at newer resorts or properties that have recently opened to secure better promotional rates, upgrades, and added luxury amenities.
High-end Group Tours and Experiences
Luxury tours, such as private yacht charters or exclusive-style trips, rarely offer last-minute deals. Tour operators offering small, limited-capacity experiences in destinations such as West Africa, Italy, and Japan will increase prices once the winter booking window closes. February is often the last month to secure a spot on a tour with fair pricing.
Booking tip: Look for group tours that aren’t sold out yet to maximize your options.
Beat The Price Hike With These Travel Planning Tools
A great way to get ahead of the price hike is to use tools that alert you to fare changes and provide average prices for your booking dates. For flight tracking, Expedia, Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner are excellent options. Hotel price-tracking tools that you can use include Booking.com, Google Hotels, Kayak, and Skyscanner.
The best tools will give you insight into whether prices are below, at, or above typical levels. They will also typically provide a date grid and a price graph to help you identify the best deals if you have scheduling flexibility.
When To Lock In vs. When To Wait
Booking early is always key to avoiding price surges. A general rule of thumb is booking between 1 and 3 months in advance. For domestic travel, prices often reach their lowest point around 44 days before departure. It’s best to book international flights 3-8 months in advance, especially during peak travel times. If prices have increased at least twice since your initial search, lock in the flight or hotel. Prices usually increase significantly within 2 weeks of departure. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday departures often offer better prices.
If prices are higher than usual, this is when to set a price alert with a tracking tool and wait. Your tools of choice will alert you when prices drop so you can book the best deal. Book refundable rates when possible — a handy strategy for rebooking if you find lower prices.
As brands offer Presidents’ Day deals across the retail and hospitality industry, think of it as the last call to indulge in spring value. The real luxury of booking before March is choice, flexibility, and peace of mind knowing you secured the best prices by simply planning ahead.
