Hotel Planner CEO Tim Hentschel shares some insider tips as Americans spend big on travel during the festive season.
As holiday travel ramps up despite ongoing economic uncertainty, Americans are still booking flights and hotels at near-record levels. To understand why—and to learn how travelers can actually save money this season— news anchor Laura Ingle from NewsNation spoke with HotelPlanner CEO Tim Hentschel, who joined her from the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens.
“People are willing to splurge because the holidays are about making special memories,” Hentschel explained. Pointing to the junior suite behind him—going for about $700 a night—he emphasized that travelers still have options. “Just down the road, there’s a full-service Marriott for around $150. That’s because the industry is transitioning from corporate to leisure travel this week.”
Favoring corporate hotels and secondary airports
According to Henschel, the best savings come from targeting corporate hotels, especially Marriotts and Hiltons located near office parks. With business travel slowing dramatically during the holidays, these properties face historically low occupancy and offer the best deals. Meanwhile, high-demand resorts—whether beach, mountain, or luxury brands like the Breakers or Boca Raton Resort—will be close to sold out and priced at seasonal peaks.
He says the same logic applies to air travel: “Avoid major international hub airports. Look for secondary carriers flying out of secondary airports. Those corporate commuter routes are where you can snag a better airfare,” he told.
When asked which destinations are seeing the biggest holiday surges, Hentschel pointed directly to the nation’s major hubs—JFK, LAX, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago O’Hare. All of them rely on hub-and-spoke networks, drawing heavy international and domestic traffic and driving up prices.
But quieter airports, such as Palm Beach International or San Diego, often offer lower fares because carriers are trying to attract travelers. Surprisingly, Las Vegas also remains affordable in December. “It’s not high season—those big pool parties are closed. Then you can still catch great entertainment and better hotel rates,” he said.
For travelers hoping to score extra savings, Hentschel recommends booking packages rather than standalone hotel rooms. Corporate hotels often discount inventory through third-party package sellers to protect their public pricing. Loyalty points may also stretch further during the holidays, and “name-your-own-price” tools can deliver significant deals.
One thing travelers can’t count on: price adjustments after booking. “Most people choose nonrefundable fares,” he noted. “Once you book those, you’re locked in.” Hentschel’s message is clear: choose the right airports, look for corporate hotels, and take advantage of discounted package deals.
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