What Are ‘Threat Dates' and How Do They Affect My Travel?

Recently, we came across a press release about so-called “threat dates.” But before you jump to any conclusions, take a deep breath, sister: They aren’t some kind of scary blackout travel period where the TSA alert level is raised from orange to red, or whatever.

They’re actually a good thing. Well, sorta. 

“Threat dates” are days when a hotel shouldn’t expect a high volume of occupancy due to other world events. As described by event-planning trade publication BizBash, threat dates are “upcoming major events—trade shows, galas, award shows, premieres, conferences and festivals” that could interfere with the hospitality industry. Think the Super Bowl, the Olympics, Easter, Mother’s Day…events and holidays that large groups of travelers tend to steer clear of time and time again. (For a full list of these dates for 2019, check out BizBash’s Masterplanner.)

So how do these “threat dates” affect you? For one, hotels could often be cheaper on these dates, when fewer travelers are known to book that weekend trip to Tulum or bachelorette in Vegas. Hotels are aware of dates when occupancy is low and adjust their rates accordingly, typically on popular booking sites like HotelTonight or Hotels.com.

And beyond travel, they’re also important if you are the one hosting an event. Booking your S.O.’s surprise party on Super Bowl Sunday (which is of course on the threat date list)? Big no-no, since those RSVP-ers won’t be too happy they’re missing the big game.  

Unless your friends are like us and think the best part of the game is the chicken wings and nachos. In which case, party on, Wayne.

RELATED: 8 of the Cheapest Places to Travel to in 2019 (According to Airfare Sites)