Should You Offer Black Friday Travel Deals?

If you’re a travel homeworker gearing up for the seasonal rush, you’ve probably wondered whether offering Black Friday travel deals is worth the pressure. With huge brands flooding the market and customers hungry for discounts, it’s easy to feel like you must join in. But should you? And more importantly — does it make sense for your travel homeworking business?

This guide breaks down the real pros and pitfalls of Black Friday from an Independent Travel Consultants perspective, giving you a practical roadmap to help you make the right decision for your business, your clients, and your long-term strategy.

Why Black Friday Travel Deals Are So Tempting for Travel Homeworkers

Black Friday is one of the busiest retail weekends of the year. Travel is no exception. Many suppliers run short-term offers, flight sales, flash discounts or value-added promos. As a travel homeworker, it can feel like the perfect opportunity to attract new clients, boost engagement and secure bookings before the new year peaks.

But the landscape is more complex than it looks — and that’s where many homeworkers make mistakes.

The Pros of Offering Black Friday Travel Deals

1. Higher Enquiry Volumes

Consumers expect travel deals in November. Even if they don’t book immediately, your visibility increases at a time when people are actively searching.

2. It Builds Your Brand Awareness

Black Friday gives you a moment to appear in searches, conversations, and social feeds where people are budgeting for holidays. It’s a great opportunity for new travel homeworkers to showcase their expertise and start building trust.

3. Suppliers Often Do the Hard Work for You

Many operators release tactical offers and pre-built promo campaigns. You don’t always need to create your own discounts — you can promote existing ones while focusing on personal service.

4. A Chance to Re-Engage Existing Clients

Black Friday is a natural excuse to check in with old clients:

“Just wanted to let you know a deal popped up for your favourite destination…”

This nurtures relationships without feeling salesy.

5. It Helps You Fill Your Pipeline

A flood of enquiries in November can turn into bookings throughout December and January — peak booking season in the UK.

The Pitfalls of Black Friday Travel Deals (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Clients Expect Unrealistic Discounts

The biggest issue? Many customers believe Black Friday offers huge price reductions — but travel doesn’t work like that.

Travel suppliers often adjust prices months in advance. Some Black Friday deals offer real value, but they’re rarely “half price holidays”.

As Jamie Wake Travel has written before, last-minute deals don’t really exist anymore — and the same logic applies here.

2. You Need to Avoid a Race to the Bottom

Discount-driven customers can drain your time without becoming loyal clients. Travel homeworking works best when you build relationships, trust and expertise — not bargain hunters chasing £10 off a weekend in the sun.

3. High Competition

Every tour operator, airline, OTA and chain agency will be shouting loudly all weekend. Competing on price alone is almost impossible for independent homeworkers.

That’s why you should focus on value, not discounts.

4. Complex Terms and Conditions

Many Black Friday deals come with:

Limited availability
Strict travel windows
Non-refundable deposits
Supplier-specific restrictions
You must check everything carefully — your reputation depends on clear communication.

5. It Can Distract You From More Valuable Sales

Black Friday lasts 48 hours. Your travel homeworking business lasts all year. If the deals you promote don’t align with your niche or ideal client profile, you risk attracting enquiries that won’t convert into sustainable business.

The Smart Approach to Black Friday for Travel Homeworkers

Instead of shouting about “cheap holidays”, position yourself as the expert who helps clients cut through the noise.

Here’s how:

1. Promote Value-Led Deals, Not Just Discounts

Focus on:

Free room upgrades
Free breakfast
Added excursions
Low deposits
Flexible booking terms
Exclusive perks

Customers love feeling they’re getting something extra — not just money off.

2. Explain the Reality Behind Black Friday Travel Pricing

This positions you as the expert, not a salesperson. For example:

“Holidays don’t drop dramatically because of Black Friday — but suppliers often offer limited bonuses or tactical discounts worth taking advantage of.”

3. Use Black Friday to Reinforce Your Year-Round Difference

Instead of promoting one-day deals, remind clients:

You offer ATOL-protected holidays
You work one-to-one
You match them with the right supplier
You handle everything from research to aftercare
Your advice is personalised, not algorithm-driven

This builds long-term loyalty from clients who value service over price.

4. Set Boundaries for Your Availability

Many homeworkers burn out during Black Friday weekend.

Set limits:

Specific posting times
A cut-off for enquiries
A clear “I’ll get back to you by…” message

Consistency beats chaos every time.

5. Use Email and Social Media to Drive Action

Your Black Friday campaign doesn’t have to be loud — just effective.

Use:

Countdowns
'Deal of the Day' posts
Round-ups
Quick wins
Limited-time calls to action

Even small campaigns can have a big impact when combined with your personal service.

Jamie Says:

"Black Friday travel deals can be brilliant — but only when they make sense for both the client and the consultant. It’s not about shouting the loudest or offering the biggest discount. It’s about staying visible, staying helpful, and staying true to your business model. Use Black Friday as a conversation starter, not a race to the bottom, and you’ll turn seasonal interest into year-round bookings."

Should New Travel Homeworkers Avoid Black Friday?

Absolutely not — but you shouldn’t rely on it as your main strategy.

New travel homeworkers often worry they can’t compete with big brands. But remember:

You offer human service
You can personalise everything
You can explain deals in plain English
You’re not limited by a single supplier
You build trust, not volume

In fact, Black Friday can be a perfect opportunity for new homeworkers to start conversations with clients — without needing to offer their own discounts.

Jamie's Final Verdict: Should You Offer Black Friday Travel Deals?

Yes — if you use them strategically, ethically and with your clients’ best interests in mind.

Use Black Friday to:

Start conversations
Build visibility
Share expert advice
Promote value-led options
Re-engage clients
Grow your enquiry pipeline

Avoid using it to:

Slash prices
Chase unprofitable customers
Overpromise and underdeliver
Stretch yourself too thin

Handled correctly, Black Friday becomes a powerful tool for long-term growth, not just short-term sales.

Ready to Build a Travel Business That Thrives Year-Round?

Whether you’re brand-new to travel homeworking or ready to switch from another company, The Independent Travel Consultants gives you the tools, training and support you need to succeed — Black Friday or not.

We offer: