Everyone will tell you that it is essential to book your holiday travel well in advance to get the best prices on Christmas flights. While it’s certainly easier if you start you search early, it does’t mean the late bookers can’t find a good deal too. If you’ve been able to get the dates off from work or you’re just starting to get the travel bug for a holiday trip, we have some ways you can find great deals.
Christmas Flights: Set Your Expectation
No matter what time of year you book, holiday travel is always one of the most expensive times to travel. A great deal in December is going to be costlier than a great deal in February or October. If you set that expectation early, it will be easier for you to spot those cheap Christmas flights you’re looking to book.
Flexibility is Key
You’ll have a much easier time getting a good deal if you can keep your travel dates open. This year, Christmas is on a Wednesday. That means many travelers will be taking the whole week off, if possible, and making the most of it. There will be huge spikes in travel on the Saturday or Sunday prior and on the Saturday or Sunday after and prices will reflect that. However, some travelers won’t be able to take that much time off and it’s unpredictable when they will be traveling, so this year it’s more important than ever to be flexible with your own plans. If you can start your holiday travel early, consider booking your flight for the week before. Tuesday, December 17th, and Wednesday, December 18th, will be much cheaper than flying anytime during the week of Christmas.
Travel on the Holiday
While we’d all love to start our Christmas vacations early, it’s not possible for many. If you only have a few days off consider flying on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day. Clearly these dates are not ideal, but that’s what makes their flights cheaper.
Search Different Airports
This is one of our best tricks to finding great flights any time of the year. If you’re located between two airports or your destination is, search all of the combinations. Typically, FLL Airport has great routes and prices, but there are times when Miami International Airport may have better. We’ve seen this when we fly into Chicago. Be open to flying into Chicago’s Midway Airport instead of O’Hare. You may be surprised at the price difference. But you will want to take into account transportation costs as well as airport parking costs if you decide to fly out from a different airport.
Pack Light and Ship Gifts
An easy way to save a lot of money is to ditch the checked bag during the holidays. It’s definitely hard, especially if you’re traveling up north, but the price adds up. It’ll also save you a ton of time at the airport if you don’t have to check. Pack light if you can and order your gifts in advance so they can be shipped to your destination.
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