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If you want — or need — to travel this holiday season, start planning now for the ideal time to order Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year are travel is approaching fast.
“The most important thing for travelers is to continue to think about planning now and booking for October,” said Hayley Berg, chief economist at travel site Hopper. “That period of low prices is short-lived, but it can really pay off.”
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But travelers who miss that moment may have a last resort: the so-called Third TravelThat is, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
“That day, almost the entire tourism industry was on promotion,” Berg said.
Whenever you decide to confirm your reservation, remember that traveling during the holiday season can be a hassle, says Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet.
“The holidays are a difficult time to travel because not only are you dealing with more extreme weather during the holidays, but you’re also traveling in larger numbers,” says French.
Here’s how to make sure you get good value.
When will the price be at its lowest?
Mr Berg said holiday travel prices were slightly higher than they were this time last year.
On average, round-trip flights for Thanksgiving — defined as departures between November 24 and 28 — are currently priced at around $298, according to according to Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook report. The travel site found that number was up 10% year-on-year and up 3% from pre-pandemic levels.
The report notes that prices are expected to fall by an average of around $40 until they reach a low in early October, when they will likely be at 2023 levels.
Similarly, airfares for Christmas trips — defined as the week of Dec. 21 to 25 — are hovering at an average of $406 per round-trip booking, up 4% from a year ago and 13% from pre-pandemic times, according to Hopper.
However, the price is expected to drop around $80 from current levels until it reaches its October low, according to the report.
“It’s really important that travelers consider booking their trips now so they’re ready when October rolls around,” Berg said.
If you’re “in a rush and want to book for Christmas or New Year,” “a good day to mark” is December 3 or Travel Tuesday this year, says Berg.
“You might get lucky and… get something last minute,” Berg says, as deals that day can include big discounts on hotel stays, airfare and car rentals.
How to avoid the domino effect when traveling
Disruptions are more likely during the holiday season as airlines and airports operate more flights than usual and higher passenger numbers can lead to “domino effect” problems, experts say.
For example, if a flight takes off 15 minutes late at the gate, that can impact the flow of traffic throughout the entire terminal, Berg said.
But she said the “biggest risks” were often severe weather and technical problems.
You might get lucky and… manage something at the last minute.
Hayley Berg
Top Economist at Hopper
Here are four important things to consider:
- Avoid flying during peak days. For example, around Thanksgiving, avoid the Sundays before and after the holiday, experts say. In past years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving has set a record as the busiest day for flying, or the number of passengers passing through TSA checkpoints, French says.
- Take the first flight of the day. Try to book one of the first flights of the day to avoid delays and cancellations, Berg says. She says you’re twice as likely to be affected by a delay or cancellation after 8 a.m.
- Allow time for delays and cancellations. If getting to your destination is really important to you, “allow extra time to get there” and fly a few days early, French says. “If you really find it important to get there for Christmas dinner, fly a few days early,” she says.
- Expand your search. Knowing what other airports are nearby can be helpful, French says. If you know what other airports are, it can help you find more affordable options. It may take longer to get to your destination, but it might be worth it if you have to get there, she says.
