If you plan to fly this Thanksgiving or Christmas, now is the time to start searching for good fares, says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. This is especially true if your travel plans aren't flexible. She says it is better to look early for fares in your budget rather than hold out in hopes of getting a cheap fare that might not materialize.
She expects holiday airfares to be similar to what they were last year and says travelers probably won't see great deals because airlines are continuing to cut capacity.
Check prices on routes you're interested in now to get a sense of how much you can expect to pay. If you see a great fare, grab it. Otherwise, sign up for alerts from airlines and travel sites -- such as Airfarewatchdog.com, Bing Travel, Kayak.com and Yapta.com -- so you'll know if prices drop. But don't hold out too long because prices likely will start increasing after the first two weeks of October.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The best day to book flights is Tuesday because that's when sales are released, Banas says. Usually the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, but that's not always the case for holiday travel -- especially considering that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a peak travel day. So Banas recommends using a flexible search option, such as the ones at Bing Travel or Priceline.com. For Christmas, consider planning a family gathering the first two weeks of December or right after the New Year because those are the cheapest times to travel.
Being flexible about which airport you fly into also can help you save money. And if you were planning on renting a car anyway, driving an hour or so to get from the alternate airport to your final destination probably is worth it. (If you weren't going to rent a car but will need to if you fly into an alternate airport, make sure the cost of the rental doesn't match or exceed the cost of flying directly to your destination.)
Remember to keep an eye on your fare after you buy because most airlines and online travel agencies will give you a rebate -- usually in travel credits or vouchers -- if your flight’s price drops below what you paid. Yapta.com will send you alerts if the price drops on a flight you've booked. Be aware, though, that some airlines can charge hefty fees for re-booking your flight. If the fee outweighs your rebate, it's not worth it to make a change.
-
Thanksgiving 2024: How Grocery Taxes Impact Your Holiday Food BudgetFood Prices Some families are navigating high food prices influencing what’s on the table this Thanksgiving.
-
9 Year-End Money Moves to Make NowBoost your retirement savings, lower your taxes and get the most out of your health insurance.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
Best Places to Visit Where the Dollar Is StrongFrom the Americas and Europe to Africa and Asia, we list the 10 best places to travel to where the U.S. dollar is the strongest.
-
24 Best Travel Websites and Apps to Find Deals and Save You MoneyTravel Use Kiplinger's guide to the best travel websites and find discounts and deals so you can vacation without breaking the bank.
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
-
How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and MoreTravel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
-
Frequent Flyer Tax Could Raise Billions for ClimateCould taxing frequent flyers help combat global pollution? Some climate scientists say yes.
-
How to Make The Most of a Travel Insurance ClaimMore travelers are buying insurance. If your trip is canceled, take these steps to increase your chances of recovery.
-
Despite Cancelled Flights and Short-Staffed Hotels, Americans Are (Sort of) Traveling AgainBusiness Travel Thanks to high gas prices, cancelled flights and labor shortages across the sector, the post-COVID travel recovery looks uneven.
