Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Best time to book flights for the holidays

 If you plan on traveling by air for the fall and winter holidays, be aware now is the time to book your flight. Here’s what you need to know: data from Hopper says that travelers are seeing cheaper flights this year. Domestic round-trip fares over Thanksgiving are averaging $268 per ticket, down 14% compared to last year. For Christmas, prices are about $400 round-trip, down 12% from last year. Ticket prices will go up as more travelers book their trips and flights come closer to selling out. While there may be some deals available through the end of October, don’t wait it out if you have set travel dates in mind between school or work. Prices will start to rise after about Oct. 14th for both Thanksgiving and Christmas trips. Plan to book as soon as possible, as prices will rise each day as the holidays approach. You may remember last year weather and air traffic disruptions caused a lot of hassles for holiday travelers last year. Given the demand for holiday flights, it’s worth planning with the potential for such delays or cancellations in mind. Take one of the first flights of the day if possible. You’re two times more likely to be affected by flight delays or cancellations after 8:00 a.m. While nonstop flights are often more expensive, they can help travelers bypass the risk of missing connections due to a flight disruption. Travelers might also look into travel insurance, and brushing up on your rights if your travel plans are interrupted. Moreover, if you are not flexible on the specific flight you need to take, “ensure you have a seat on your desired flight. While picking your seat can come at an additional cost with most airlines, it may serve as a peace of mind for travelers. So basically, the next two weeks are an ideal time to book your trip and have the best chance at better prices and choices.

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