You may be thinking, we’ve just reached September, why should I start looking into holiday travel? But according to new data collected by Points Path, prices for holiday travel are already more expensive than last year, and it’s in your best interest—and your wallet’s—to try and score the cheapest flights during the chaotic holiday season.
That being said, airfare prices are consistently changing and it’s important to understand the best time to book flights so you don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money during an already expensive time of the year.
Best times to book holiday flights
Whether you’re going back to your hometown for some delicious Turkey or meeting your partner’s parents for the first time for Christmas, here’s the best time to book flights.
🦃 Thanksgiving
The Points Guy analyzed 100,000 economy fare flights during Thanksgiving week to uncover that the best time to book flights is between late September to early to mid-October. If last year’s trends repeat, passengers can expect a drop in prices in the coming weeks, since the latest fare data was collected on August 22.
🎄 Christmas
Although The Points Guy recommends booking Thanksgiving travel early to mid-October, you’ll want to secure your December flights around the same time. Optimal booking will be in October, ahead of Halloween. Apparently, prices can skyrocket as soon as November 1st hits.
How far in advance should you book?
The typical rule of thumb for purchasing holiday flights should be two months ahead for domestic travel and three to five months ahead for international travel.
Why timing matters for airfare deals
Booking too far in advance can cost you just as much as booking too late. Airfare often decreases upon reaching the optimal booking window, and if you buy your flight before then, you may lose out on some extra cash you could have saved.
The only way to ensure you stay on top of these common price fluctuations is to consistently monitor flights.
The cheapest days to travel during the holidays
Unfortunately, the cheapest days to fly during the holidays are on the holidays, specifically Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve. Average domestic airfare for Thanksgiving Day is around $466 and $535 on Christmas Eve. New Years Eve is also a cheaper day to travel, with average airfare hovering $536.
Avoiding peak travel dates and price spikes
Inversely, prices will be the highest on weekends and peak days before or after the holidays. These dates include Saturday, December 20th and Friday, December 26th.
What about last-minute travel deals
“While certain airlines may provide last-minute offers, it’s dangerous to wait and hope for a bargain,” warns Megan Biebuyck, Booking.com Regional Marketing Manager. Therefore, it’s on the safer side to always book in advance during the recommended window.
Tips for scoring cheap flights
- Be flexible and take a look at midweek flights.
- Consider a layover. Flights with a connection tend to be cheaper than flying direct.
- Set up price alerts on Google Flights or airfare tracking apps such as Hopper, Skyscanner and so on.
- Travel light so you won’t have to spend additional money on luggage.
