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● LIVE Updated 41m ago · 13 sources tracked

Using miles to fly for Thanksgiving? These are the most expensive and cheapest routes

Thanksgiving award flights between major U.S. airports now cost 32% more miles than last year, with Hawaii and New York-Houston among the priciest routes. Holiday airfares have reached a 10-year high, and a Black Friday deal may only restore last year's prices. Demand remains strong as Thanksgiving and Christmas travel costs rise, making cash fares harder to justify on some routes. Travelers using frequent-flyer miles should compare award availability and cash prices before booking, secure seats early and stay flexible on dates and airports.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ Thanksgiving award flights between major U.S. airports cost 32% more miles than last year.
  • ✓ Hawaii and New York-Houston rank among the priciest Thanksgiving award routes.
  • ✓ Holiday airfares have hit a 10-year high as Thanksgiving and Christmas travel costs soar.
  • ✓ Thanksgiving airfare will cost more than last year as fares rise and strong demand continues.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 13 independent reporting domains (82% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~3 min

What changed

Thanksgiving award flights between major U.S. airports cost 32% more miles than last year, extending the sharp rise in holiday airfares into frequent-flyer redemptions.

Live updates

  1. Thanksgiving award flights cost 32% more miles as airfares hit 10-year high

    Thanksgiving award flights between major U.S. airports now cost 32% more miles than last year, with Hawaii and New York-Houston among the priciest routes. Holiday airfares have reached a 10-year high, and a Black Friday deal may only restore last year's prices. Demand remains strong as Thanksgiving and Christmas travel costs rise, making cash fares harder to justify on some routes. Travelers using frequent-flyer miles should compare award availability and cash prices before booking, secure seats early and stay flexible on dates and airports.

    Why it matters

    CNBC reports that Thanksgiving airfare will cost more than last year as fares rise and strong demand continues. Fortune and Fox News both describe holiday fares as hitting a 10-year high, while MyNorthwest.com reports that KIRO hosts say rising airfares are putting family visits out of reach. The mileage increase means points now buy less on peak Thanksgiving routes, so redemption value depends heavily on the itinerary and timing.

    What is confirmed

    • Thanksgiving award flights between major U.S. airports cost 32% more miles than last year.
    • Hawaii and New York-Houston rank among the priciest Thanksgiving award routes.
    • Holiday airfares have hit a 10-year high as Thanksgiving and Christmas travel costs soar.
    • Thanksgiving airfare will cost more than last year as fares rise and strong demand continues.
    • A Black Friday deal may only get travelers back to last year's holiday fare.
    • Travelers can improve their chances of finding award seats by booking early and staying flexible on travel dates and airports.

    Still unconfirmed

    • KIRO hosts say rising airfares are putting family visits out of reach.
    • Tulsa-DFW ranks among the priciest Thanksgiving award routes.

    What to watch next

    • Black Friday airfare promotions and whether they reduce prices below last year's levels.
    • Thanksgiving booking and redemption data showing whether 32% higher award costs persist as the holiday approaches.
    • Changes in award availability on Hawaii and New York-Houston routes as Thanksgiving travel demand builds.
    Sources used for this update (13)
    1. CNBC — Using miles to fly for Thanksgiving? These are the most expensive and cheapest routes
    2. Anchorage Daily News — Airfares have increased, so be alert for flights that fit your travel needs
    3. WRAL — Flying out of RDU for the holidays? 5 On Your Side has ways to save and offset high jet fuel prices
    4. Fox News — Holiday airfare hits 10-year high as Thanksgiving and Christmas travel costs soar
    5. MyNorthwest.com — ‘It’s outrageous’: KIRO hosts say rising airfares are putting family visits out of reach
    6. MoneyLion — Should You Use Frequent Flyer Miles for Holiday Travel?
    7. AOL.com — Holiday Flights Are Getting More Expensive: When To Use Miles Instead of Cash
    8. Fortune — Holiday fares hit a 10-year high. A Black Friday deal may only get you back to last year’s price
    9. www.foxsports.com — 2026 NFL Thanksgiving Games: Schedule, Teams, How to Watch
    10. www.cnbc.com — Using miles to fly for Thanksgiving? These are the most ...
    11. speakers.staging.forbestravelguide.com — Cheapest and Most Expensive Thanksgiving Award Routes
    12. wavebrowsernews.com — Using miles to fly for Thanksgiving? These are the most ...
    confidence 82%
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