Why you should book your winter holiday flights now
Prices are likely to rise even more, experts say
August 12, 2022
1,909 2 minutes read
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If you are planning to travel over the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year holidays and you are looking for bargain prices, you should plan your trip and book now.
True, you are probably going to pay more than you would have paid in 2021. Fares for flights over Thanksgiving are hovering around 25% more. Flights over the Christmas holiday period are up just a little more, at 28%.
Typically, however, prices tend to go up from now on, warns travel advisory company CheapAir.com. By booking now, therefore, you likely will obtain seats that are more affordable.
It might seem like a burden to think about winter holiday flights during the summer holidays, says Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com, but holiday flights already are more expensive than they had been expected to be.
The reason: Airlines are continuing to battle to meet demand from travelers. That demand is driving up airfares more than usual at this time of the year. If you are looking for holiday travel bargains, therefore, the time to plan and book is now, Klee adds.
Best days to travel
Here are the best days on which to travel this Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, according to CheapAir.com.
THANKSGIVING
• November 22. Typically, Tuesdays are better days on which to travel when it comes to value.
• November 24. If you leave on Thanksgiving Day itself, you are likely to save up to $75 a ticket.
• November 25. You will save about $90 if you take a flight on the day after Thanksgiving itself.
CHRISTMAS
December 24. This year the night before Christmas has among the best savings that are available during the week.
December 28-29. Travelers will be able to save an average of $125 on a ticket by returning home by air on Wednesday compared with returning on the Sunday after Christmas, which looks set to be the most expensive day of all on which to fly during this holiday season.
NEW YEAR
December 29-30. New Year’s Day falls this year on a Sunday. This means that it offers great value in airfares, particularly if you choose to travel on December 28, 29 or 30.
January 3: By leaving for home on the Tuesday after you have rung in the New Year you will save an average of about $85 a ticket.
If prices drop
What happens if prices drop during now and the holiday times?
Travelers can be more confident when they book their holiday flights early this year. Airlines have abandoned those change fees that originated during the pandemic. In addition, travel protection is available from a company such as CheapAir.com, which offers Price Drop Payback. The program promises to reimburse travelers for up to $100 a ticket if prices should drop after they have bought them.
Should you fail to plan ahead or prices rise significantly before you fly, monthly payments are available from companies such as CheapAir.com.
Simplifies way to travel
Headquartered in Los Angeles, CheapAir.com says that it simplifies the way that people shop for travel. It offers an airfare shopping engine that provides a look at fare options around the world, including the best flights based on quality, inflight amenities, and comfort.
The company was founded by Klee in 1989 from his college dormitory room after he had planned a backpacking trip in Europe on a student’s budget.
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