The upcoming holiday travel season is shaping up to be both bustling and expensive, with certain days during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s projected to be pricier than others. Travelers looking to save on flights will need to be strategic about their travel dates.
High Costs Ahead for Thanksgiving Travel
Travel app Going shares insights on the best times to travel during the festive season. Travelers should avoid flying on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as the Sunday and Monday before Christmas. Notably, the Sunday following Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel day of the year, contributing to higher airfare prices.
Savings by Traveling on Holidays
Instead of booking flights on peak travel days, travelers may want to consider flying on the holidays themselves, such as Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. According to Going, flying on these dates could yield savings of up to 25 percent on overall ticket costs.
Flight Prices and Trends
Scott Keyes, the founder and chief flight expert at Going, commented on the current pricing trends, stating, “Overall, flight prices coming out of summer are the lowest we’ve seen in years.” He emphasized that Going members can save anywhere from 40 percent to 90 percent on flights this holiday season by utilizing the right tools. Keyes highlighted the importance of understanding flight pricing as a matter of probabilities, noting that each day presents varying chances for great deals.
Tips for New Year’s Travel
For those planning to travel for New Year’s, Keyes advises that returning on December 31 will likely be more economical than flying on January 1, with the added benefit of less crowded airports.
Booking Recommendations
As holiday travelers prepare for increased expenses this season, the urgency to book flights is growing. Keyes recommends that anyone flying over Thanksgiving or Christmas should secure their tickets by October 14 at the latest. He also suggests booking flights at least 21 days in advance and not waiting for prices to drop further. Instead, travelers should book the next “reasonable” fare they find and keep an eye on prices, taking advantage of many airlines’ no-change fee policies if fares decrease.
International Travel Opportunities
For those open to the idea of spending Thanksgiving abroad, Keyes notes that it can be an excellent time to save on international trips. The surge in domestic travel during Turkey Day often leads to reduced prices for overseas flights.
Conclusion
With the holiday travel season approaching, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead and choose their travel dates wisely to avoid higher costs. By considering alternative travel days and booking flights in advance, they can navigate this busy period while maximizing savings.
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