In this era of packed airplanes, smaller seats and fees for extra leg room, what airline is going to offer inexpensive fares around Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s? Common business sense dictates that high prices will follow high demand.
Be ready to adapt to changing trends
Trends in airline ticket prices are usually in flux. That great deal you got a couple of years ago might not be in play anymore.
But that can work in reverse as well: “On the flip side, in markets where service has been recently boosted, you may even be pleasantly surprised to find fares lower than five years ago,” Stewart says. “So don’t be discouraged by years past.”
Bottom line: When it comes to winter holiday ticket prices, nothing is set in stone.
Thanksgiving
If you fly on actual holidays, you may have a much easier time going through security. And your ticket might be less expensive.
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When we’re counting our blessings, Thanksgiving ticket prices aren’t usually among them.
He warns that “the busiest and most expensive day to depart is Wednesday.” (That’s November 22 this year). Same holds true for a Sunday return (November 26). He says you might save money flying on Thanksgiving morning and returning midweek.
Christmas and New Year’s
Generally, Christmas and New Year’s function much like Thanksgiving: High demand, high prices. Again, off-peak flying is your friend.
“Aim for middle of the week and early morning or late night flights — in other words, flights that are less convenient — to avoid crowds and get better prices,” she says.
Are you cheap and flexible?
Take advantage of options when you have them. If you’re flying to New York, you can go with LaGuardia (pictured), but there are four other airports.
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“The bargain bin only has middle seats far from your traveling companions and 5 a.m. or red-eye flights,” Hobica wrote in an email.
“I recommend that people keep on looking several times a day every day of the week and pounce when a price seems reasonable,” he said.
Always look into alternate airports — remember, the New York area has five airports and Houston has two — and check Southwest.com in addition to Kayak or other search engines, he says.
On some supercompetitive routes (think Chicago-New York), Hobica says, there will always be “a few scattered seats and flight times that will go on sale.”
Don’t forget to count the fees
Don’t forget to think about extras fees such as checked bags when calculating your travel costs.
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Remember to factor in baggage fees, extra leg room fees and food purchases before booking flights. Airline credit card holders may get a free checked bag and other perks. And make sure you consider your ground transportation costs as well.
Next summer, think ‘winter’
And Stewart of Airfairewatchdog says that “if you want to choose your favorite seat or preferred flight times, you’re probably better off booking early.”
Other advice
Think about shipping your presents early instead of carrying them on the plane.
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Finally, some other tips and considerations:
— Insurance: Cheapflights reminds passengers to keep unpredictable winter weather in mind and consider getting travel insurance.
— Delay a week: Orbitz also points out that fares — along with hotel rooms — often drop a lot the week after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
— Presents: If you’re flying to see family, Orbitz suggest shipping your presents instead of bringing on the plane. Saves hassles and fees.
— Go global: International airfares can be a good deal for Americans this time of year, Stewart says. So if your family is understanding about Christmas in the spring, maybe a holiday vacation is in order.
CNN’s Forrest Brown contributed to this article.
