If you plan on stress-free traveling during the holiday season, it's common knowledge to book flights early—airports are notorious for being packed during peak travel periods. Wherever you choose to go, booking early could make the difference between a happy holiday and a stressful (and more expensive) one. But how early? And what else can you do to save money? To help, we've gathered tips from expert travelers on how to snag the best airline prices during the holidays.
When to Buy Airline Tickets for the Holidays
The best time to book tickets is ASAP if you want to save money on holiday travel. However, vacation times and holidays can be hard to plan, so aim to book flights by October 31st for travel during Thanksgiving and Christmas. "After Halloween, prices will increase considerably as Thanksgiving gets closer," says Phil Dengler, a travel expert and the co-owner of travel resource site The Vacationer.
Book 3 Weeks Ahead
Domestic flight prices can spike 40%—about $400 per round trip—from the end of October to the week before Thanksgiving, according to Adit Damodaran, an economist at Hopper. And waiting until the last week for both Thanksgiving and Christmas can cost more than $500 round-trip, Damodaran says. "In general, booking domestic flights three weeks in advance (or by Thanksgiving at the latest) should help travelers avoid the biggest price spikes," Damodaran explains.
Book Mid-Week
The day of the week you book tickets can make a difference, too. Book flights in the middle of the week for lower prices. "The best time to book airfare is usually mid-week—[fewer] people are searching for flights so [prices] tend to dip from Tuesday to the end of Wednesday," says money-saving expert Andrea Woroch. But flight prices during the holiday season will get more expensive the longer you wait, regardless of which day of the week you buy them.
"If you aren't sure exactly what your plans are, you may be able to book a portion of your flight to get the best deal on at least one leg of your trip," says Woroch.
Booking Tips to Save More Money on Holiday Travel
Booking your holiday travel in advance isn't the only way to save. Here are some more expert-backed tips to save money that's better spent on holiday gifts and family meals around the holidays.
Be Flexible on Flying Days
"Ultimately, [flights require] a bit of searching, so review airfare prices based on a 30-day schedule to find the best deal," says Woroch. One way to save money on plane tickets is to fly on the day of the holiday. Based on recent years, you can save about $50 if you travel on Thanksgiving day instead of the day before, according to travel search site KAYAK.
Being flexible with your travel dates can help find the best airfare prices: "It's better to be open to traveling based on when you can score cheaper airline tickets, which will fall ahead or before a holiday," Woroch adds. The day immediately after a holiday can be pricier for return flights, too, so it may make more financial sense to wait another day or two.
Track Flight Prices in Advance
Doing your research, comparing flight deals, and being on the lookout for when prices drop are key to finding reasonable airfare for holiday travel. One way to do this is to monitor flight prices using a tracker such as Google Flights, Hopper, or Skyscanner, which will alert you with deals for your route.
"Set your desired route and travel dates and receive alerts when prices drop," says Janet Semenova, co-founder of travel company Boutique Travel Advisors. "Purchase flights immediately when they reach your desired threshold," she adds.
Semenova recommends setting multiple alerts. Even if you aren't entirely sure about your itinerary, start tracking flight prices for your route early—and book when you find the lowest price to save money on holiday travel.
Leverage Miles and Points
Leveraging miles and points can also lessen the blow on your wallet around the holidays. "If you have a stash of frequent flyer miles or flexible bank points, don't forget to consider redeeming miles for your holiday travel," says Caroline Lupini, a managing editor of the credit cards and travel rewards vertical at Forbes Advisor.
In fact, Lupini says that she's been able to save hundreds of dollars herself each year by scoring holiday plane tickets with miles. "If you look early enough or can be flexible, award tickets won't drain your mileage balance either," she adds. "In 2023, my holiday flights cost only 6,000 Virgin Atlantic points per ticket, and this year, I paid the low price of 7,500 American AAdvantage miles."
Consider Visa Costs (and Airline Rules)
Antoinette Hannan Leon, vice president of ItsEasy.com, warns international holiday travelers to be mindful of potential visa costs, which can make a family vacation or a trip to visit relatives overseas even more expensive.
"Research the visa requirements of your holiday destination in advance," Leon says. "The timing for obtaining a visa depends on the country and the type of visa. Some countries allow you to apply up to six months in advance, some three months, some 30 days, and some two weeks. Also, look up passport and visa costs so you can factor them into your holiday travel budgeting."
Leon also advises checking your passport expiration date and renewing it one year in advance if you can. "Some countries require that a person's passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of their trip, and some airlines will not allow a person to board if this requirement is not met," Leon says. The airline has the power to turn you away.
Use a VPN or Private Browser When Buying
"In today’s online travel market, consumers often fall victim to 'dynamic pricing,' a practice where airlines and online travel agencies (OTAs) adjust prices based on your search history and browsing patterns," says Michael DeLucca, travel tech expert and founder of Otsy.com. "To avoid paying inflated rates, travelers should consider using a VPN (virtual private network) or private-browsing mode on their web browsers."
By masking your browsing activity, a VPN or incognito mode prevents travel sites from being able to easily track your interest in a specific flight. Therefore, they can't raise prices after repeated searches.
"A VPN offers additional advantages by allowing you to set your IP address to appear as though you’re in a different country," he adds. "This tactic can be especially useful for finding better rates, as prices often vary by region and sometimes offer substantial savings when searched from outside the country."
