Consumers should do their research before giving in to Travel Tuesday temptation

Delta Air Lines is facing a class action lawsuit, which claims the Atlanta-based airline refused to give refunds following a global technology outage.
A Delta Air Lines flight information display shows delayed and cancelled flights at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday, July 19, 2024. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Chain stores have Black Friday. Online marketplaces have Cyber Monday. For local businesses, it’s Small Business Saturday.

In the last 20 years, more segments of the retail industry have vied for their own piece of the holiday shopping season. The travel trade has firmly joined the trend with another post-Thanksgiving sales push: Travel Tuesday.

On the same day as the nonprofit world’s Giving Tuesday, airlines, hotels, cruise ship companies, travel booking platforms and tour operators get in on the annual spirit to spend by promoting one-day deals. Consumer advocates say there are legitimate savings to be had but also chances to be misled by marketing that conveys a false sense of urgency.