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August 13, 2007

Top 6-Tips for Holiday Airfare Shopping

Filed under: Airfares, Airlines, Holiday Travel — Rick Seaney @ 9:23 am

Shopping for cheap airline tickets for that year-end holiday trip can be maddening. Mainly because, such tickets just dont exist.

Once-In-A-Blue-Moon Deals

Okay, you may recall one of my previous posts, where I highlighted the best First Class Deal of the year: Dallas to Seattle for $380 (traveling on Christmas EveDec. 24th, and returning the following Friday–Dec. 28th — a few of the busiest days of the year). But such tickets are rarereally rare! So please dont count on getting them.

Holiday? You Will Pay?, keep reading…

The Grinch ha$ been $tudying your buying habit$ for year$ now, and know$ just what to charge on tho$e day$ you are de$perate to travel: can you $ay $ticker $hock? (I think I just sent my computer into a tailspin as the spell checker goes nuts …)

Helpful Hints

But, whether you want to head to a beach or send your in-laws to your spouses siblings :), here are a few tips that might help on this no-win endeavor.

1) Shop Year Round And for the 2007 Holidays, Buy Now!

  • SHOP 4-MONTHS BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE: For almost all domestic U.S. travel, the ideal time to start shopping is about 4-months ahead of time. So get going! Outside of that window, the airlines charge a premium of $30-80 for the cheapest seats.
  • PEAK TRAVEL TIMES ARE ALWAYS EXPENSIVE: When it comes to holiday travel, there are NO free rides. For these trips you should shop year-round you know youre going to pay a premium, so why not pay an extra $80 vs. $200 to $300 extra? Thats just smart shopping!
  • BUY NOW: If you havent made your ticket purchase for the 2007 holidays, it bears repeating: buy now.

2) Travel Days

  • TRAVEL ON THE CHEAPEST DAYS: All year-round, the cheapest and least crowded days to travel are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • CHEAPER THANKSGIVING TRAVEL DAYS: Around Thanksgiving airlines start charging a premium beginning at about Thursday the week before the holiday, through Tuesday the week after. The cheapest days to fly at this time are typically the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and the day OF Thanksgiving. The most expensive day? The day BEFORE Thanksgiving (Wednesday).
  • TRAVELING ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND NEW YEARS EVE WILL BE EXPENSIVE: Both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve are considered premium days. This year Christmas falls on a Tuesday, and prices begin to rise the Wednesday before, and those prices will stay pretty high until the weekend AFTER New Years week.

3) Traveling from Snow Country to Sunshine

  • PRICES WILL BE HIGH: It is not unusual to see $100-200 premiums or more on peak days. It pays to be FLEXIBLE on your days and times for these trips and to shop early.
  • BUT THERE ARE SOME BARGAINS: Right now, heading from New York to Florida is relatively cheap; you can get away with spending in the high-$200s. And anyone traveling to Palm Beach should definitely be buying now.

4) Special Turkey Airfares and Holiday Airfares

  • LAST MINUTE DEALS: In years past, the airlines have come out with last minute, special low-priced deals to cover the slower days around each holiday. Sometimes youll see names like Turkey Fares or Holiday Fares”.
  • ARE YOU A GAMBLER? I would only recommend waiting for these last minute specials, if you are a high-risk individual! I, for one, wouldnt risk the Wrath of Khan (or my wife) if we missed out on a family gathering during the holidays because I was waiting on some super-duper deal.
  • MAYBE YOU SHOULDNT GAMBLE: I am worried that due to such high load factors this year, there wont be many (if any) of these last minute specials; just be aware, this is a long-shot.

5) Travel on the Actual Holiday

  • BE A THANKSGIVING FLIER: Each Thanksgiving, we fly up my wifes father on Turkey Day morning. The seats are super cheap and my father-in-law, who is in his 70s, has no problem driving, parking at the airport and always is excited that he didn’t have to bother with all the people in the empty airport — checking in and boarding his flight. This is definitely a win-win situation for us!
  • BE A CHRISTMAS FLIER: December 25th is also a (relatively) cheap day to fly, so if you are on a tight budget, this is going to be your best deal at the end of the year.

6) Expensive Tickets are a Perfect Time to Use Your Frequent Flyer Miles

  • SPEND YOUR MILES, NOT YOUR CASH: If you can find the seats (and remember, everyone else is looking at this tip), use your miles for these otherwise expensive trips to beach areas.
  • BUY MILES: Most airlines will sell you miles now for about 2.5 cents per mile, so, if you dont have quite enough miles to make your trip, buying them is a money-wise move. Just be sure the seats are available before you spend your money.
« FareCompare Profiled in Conde Nast Portfolio   Smokin Airline Ticket Deals »

29 Comments »

  1. looking for puerto vallarta mexico…mar 1 08 rtn mar 8
    from las……any hints?

    Comment by JEFF ARON — August 15, 2007 @ 8:52 pm

  2. Hi Jeff,
    I originally didn’t see LAS, let me do a check in a bit for you and I’ll comment

    Comment by Rick Seaney — August 15, 2007 @ 11:21 pm

  3. A group of friends (8) want to go to the Greek Islands next summer. Any chance of getting tickets from Seattle for less than the $1,400 fares I’ve seen?

    Comment by Susan Mitchell — August 16, 2007 @ 1:03 am

  4. I am looking for a good fare from SFO to NYC (in preference order–LGA, EWR or JFK) 11/16 (11:59pm) - 11/25 (arrive before 10pmish), any recommendations?

    Comment by Chloe — August 16, 2007 @ 1:54 am

  5. Would appreciate advise on finding great fare round trip from Buffalo to Orlando: Leaving Buffalo on 4/12/08- Return 4/26/08.

    Comment by Renee — August 16, 2007 @ 2:09 am

  6. I would like to travel from Dallas Love Field to Portland, Oregon in September–what do you sugest?

    Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you!!!

    Alexandra

    Comment by Alexandra — August 16, 2007 @ 2:45 am

  7. Rick- just a heads up it says he’s flying from LAS!

    Comment by DT — August 16, 2007 @ 3:21 am

  8. Looking for was to sju dec29–jan5…any tips or is this flight always expensive…also looking for stl–sju for same days…buying 12 tickets 6 from was and 6 from stl for a family reunion thanks!

    Comment by chris — August 16, 2007 @ 4:41 am

  9. I’d like to surprise my husband with a ski trip. I thought about Austria~ We’ve never been out of the U.S. With 3 little ones (who are NOT going) price is of course a big factor. Any thoughts on where would it be more reasonable? What time of the year would be best? What part of the world? Thank you in advance for all your wonderful in-sights.

    Comment by iris — August 16, 2007 @ 4:44 am

  10. My husbands loves to ski. With 3 little ones he either goes alone or misses out skiing. I’d like to surprise him with a ski trip for 2. I heard Austria has awesome mountains. Please help me decide if U.S v/s some where else is more reasonable. What time of the yr. is best to ski and where? Thank you in advance. We really enjoy your in-sights!

    Comment by iris — August 16, 2007 @ 4:48 am

  11. I am looking for airfare to cancun from Toronto canada (YYZ) Feb 29 for a week … we actually have 6 people to book

    Comment by Cathie Hillock — August 16, 2007 @ 4:50 am

  12. Rick,
    Teachers do not have a choice. We always have to travel at peak times! I have found that Christmas can be an inexpensive time to fly to Europe. Yes, the cities are cold but the tourist hordes are gone and many of the cities have a unique charm around the holidays. This year I am going to Budapest. ($730 round trip from Milwaukee) Do you have any suggestions for the millions of teachers who must travel during peak holidays? Why don’t the airlines give us hard working educators a break? It would be great P.R.

    Comment by Phil Gissen — August 16, 2007 @ 5:22 am

  13. My husband and I plan on flying to Chicago from Fort Lauderdale the end of May and my kids will be flying there from LA. When’s the best time to check for flights that far in advance, and what airlines generally are the cheapest to Chicago?

    Comment by Judy Sherman — August 16, 2007 @ 5:26 am

  14. When is the best time to shop for tickets to FLA for school vacation in April. We’re leaving from Boston.

    Thanks.

    Comment by Kathy — August 16, 2007 @ 5:29 am

  15. Rick:

    Abosloutely love your site and emails! I will be teaching a series of classes in a few weeks called “How To Save Money on Almost Anything,” and I have a segment on vacations/travel. I already intend to refer students to your site and suggest they subscribe to your newsletter, but wondered what general suggestions you think I should offer.

    Thanx

    Rita

    Comment by Rita Moritz — August 16, 2007 @ 5:38 am

  16. Looking at going to Cozumel in January…is it best to fly directly to Cozumel (leaving Philadelphia) or go to Cancun and travel taxi / ferry to Cozumel. Trip is only for 4 days so don’t want to waste a lot of time in travel.

    You have a great website….

    Comment by Ruth Clark — August 16, 2007 @ 5:58 am

  17. Our family of 5 are going from boise to Maui March 19-29. Right now the tickets are $800 or more each. Do you think we should buy now or wait to see if they go down?

    Comment by Wendy — August 16, 2007 @ 7:28 am

  18. Rick - thanks for the advice. I just now bought four round trip tickets from Detroit to NYC for $170 each via NWA on the day BEFORE Thanksgiving! Had I waited I’m sure it would have been much more.

    Comment by Robert — August 16, 2007 @ 7:36 am

  19. Hi Rick-you are AWESOME!!! You suggest to buy early. But I’ve been looking for months at flights from JFK to pretty much any Caribbean Island leaving 2/16/08 and staying for 6-7 days with nothing coming out below $600 except Puerto Rico. Would love your thoughts.

    Comment by Gal Jurick — August 16, 2007 @ 8:26 am

  20. Looking to go to warm weather, mountains and possibly surfing and not to Mexico or Hawaii lv 12/22 and ret 12/29. Family of 4 and 2 lv from Detroit, 1 from Denver and 1 from Orlando. I thought about Costa Rica but rainy season. Regards, Ray

    Comment by Ray — August 16, 2007 @ 9:32 am

  21. Rick
    When to buy? Milwaukee to Puerto Vallarta Feb.9 th to Feb 23 08.A decent schedule is over $600.I can go Apple vacations air only non stop now for $650.I thought the farther out you buy a ticket is the best fare.Not sure if this is the case.Any suggestions would be appreciated,

    Comment by Paul Langerman — August 16, 2007 @ 10:25 am

  22. I will do some research on these trips and post some recommendations later today.
    Cheers,
    Rick

    Comment by Rick Seaney — August 16, 2007 @ 10:45 am

  23. Am looking for any cheap airfare from Bozeman to Lihue, Kauai in Jan. or Feb. Would like to stay 2 weeks. Any deals? Thanks so much!

    Comment by Becky — August 16, 2007 @ 12:41 pm

  24. Any suggestions on when to buy for 8/19/08 -8/30/08 ?
    Chicago to Miami. Fares are really high or sold out …Thanxs

    Comment by Matt — August 17, 2007 @ 8:59 am

  25. Again Wow!, I spent some time last night on comments on another post.
    Deals Comments
    So here goes …
    24) Matt, you are in biz fare territory now, less than 14 days before purchase, that means you are in the perfect storm of high prices. Just checked and if you try American aa.com 8/19-8/30 right now has a non-stop for $294 out the door (better hurry), anything under $400 rt is going to be a pretty good deal
    23) Becky, you best bet BZN-LIH is in the $540 range out the door on Alaska Airlines , departing on Mondays in late Jan or Feb, this isn’t to bad from a smaller regional airport
    21) Paul, this is a tough one, you are looking at mid $400’s tough midweek and $490 for your 9-feb departure on US Airways, 2 stopper, $50 more for the 1 stopper
    20) Ray, popular and over christmas this should be cheap … :), seriously you are going to pay in $400-600 range per person for anywhere popular, so be prepared for sticker shock, wish I could be more help
    19) Gal, caribbean sales end for travel in mid december, see post today on AA caribbean sale, presidents day is another airline favorite, $600 is a bit high but not unusual for presidents day, I personall would wait a bit your a little early (remember I am a gambler)
    18) Robert, for that travel date you just hit the jackpot, well done, go check it out in a month and watch it go up by $100-$200 :)
    17) Wendy, Boise and Bozeman questions, love it and the Northwest, Hawaii is expensive and from a regional there are not usually many price breaks, Multi carrier itineraries should bring you in the low $700’s to mid $700’s, you have some time and the price isn’t likely to jump much more I would wait a bit and keep a close eye on sales from gateways like SEA, SFO, DEN, PDX, when those go down your more likely to be able to pick up a bit better deal from Boise
    More a bit later today …

    Comment by Rick Seaney — August 17, 2007 @ 9:10 am

  26. My husband and I are looking at travelling from Detroit to Dallas, texas sometime at the end of October to mid November. When should I book the flight and which airlines do you suggest for the best deal? (Dallas/Fort Worth)

    Thank you

    Comment by anna tarantino — August 19, 2007 @ 12:26 pm

  27. need help finding a reasonable airfare from baltimore to vancouver……my question is will there be holiday fares or winter ski fares that straddle xmas? especially to vancouver (whistler) i thought i might wait for ski fares but when/if will they come out and will they cover the holidays in december?
    thanks puffkit

    Comment by puffkit — August 21, 2007 @ 11:48 am

  28. Hi Rick,

    My husband and I want to travel to puerto vallarta next year and would like to go the least expensive time. Do you know when it is cheapest to fly there?

    Comment by Robin — August 24, 2007 @ 3:16 am

  29. Hi Rick,

    I need to buy tickets for Cancun tomorrow! For two, we want to stay in Tulum–unless the hurricane messed things up–want to go early Dec 1-15 before the Christmas rise in prices or in January after the new years rush.

    Best I have seen is AA at $261 in early December.

    Thanks..must buy ticket tomorrow!

    Comment by Susan — August 24, 2007 @ 1:59 pm

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