Airline miles for Thanksgiving flights cost 32% more this year than last year, according to data from Seats.aero, a miles and points search site. The surge affects redemptions on routes between large U.S. airports during the holiday travel period.
Airlines have shifted from fixed mileage charts to dynamic pricing, which means redemption costs now change based on demand, routes, and other factors. This makes it harder for travelers to budget for award tickets in advance.
The most expensive redemption routes this Thanksgiving include longer flights from Hawaii and a nonstop from New York to Houston. Even cheaper award routes have risen in price compared to last year, including short routes like Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Jet fuel prices have climbed since late February, cutting into airline profits. Carriers have passed these costs along to consumers as much as possible, airline executives said last month.