If you’re aiming to travel for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, start planning now, as the optimal booking window is imminent. Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, advises making reservations by October to take advantage of lower prices. This window is short but financially beneficial.
According to Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook report, Thanksgiving round-trip flights (Nov. 24-28) average $298, a 10% increase from last year. Prices should drop by around $40 by early October. Similarly, Christmas flights (Dec. 21-25) currently stand at $406, up 4% from last year but expected to fall by about $80 in October.
Missed the October window? Consider Travel Tuesday, Dec. 3, for last-minute deals on hotels, flights, and car rentals.
However, holiday travel can be problematic due to increased flights and crowds. Sally French of NerdWallet recommends the following tips to avoid disruptions:
- Avoid peak days: Skip flying on busy days, such as the Sundays surrounding Thanksgiving.
- Early flights: Book the first flight of the day to minimize the risk of delays.
- Extra time: Allow for potential delays; arrive a few days before critical events.
- Broaden searches: Consider alternative airports for potentially cheaper and feasible options.
Plan wisely to secure the best value for your holiday travel.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/14/when-to-book-your-holiday-travel-and-flights-in-2024.html
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