Top 10 Tips for Booking Holiday Flights

by  ShermansTravel Editorial Staff | Nov 3, 2011
Plane in the sky
Plane in the sky / undefinedundefined/iStock

The holidays are just around the corner, and if you're anything like us, you’re probably hoping you won’t have to pay an arm and a turkey leg to get home to celebrate. Though most airline industry experts’ analysis is pointing to holiday fares that average about 6 to 10 percent more this year than last, there are still plentiful ways to snag a reasonable rate – just check out these 10 tips for booking holiday flights.

So why the “bah humbug” uptick in costs? With oil prices on the rise, airlines are consolidating flights, cutting unprofitable routes, and using smaller planes, but there still remains a discernible surge in flyer demand. Once-reluctant travelers who may have skipped out on flights home for the holidays in years past just aren’t willing to hold off on Aunt Edna’s homemade pumpkin pie another year. And though travelers have proven eager to get back in the air, the copious number of routes that have been grounded over the last couple of years (as much as 15 percent of capacity has been cut since 2008, in response to the economic crisis) translates to fewer seats for sale – and less desperation on behalf of the airlines to fill them.

Add to that airlines’ sneaky smattering of “peak travel surcharges” and a seeming never-ending slew of once unheard-of airline fees, and you have a recipe for pricey travels – in short, leave procrastination to only the most coolheaded of gamblers this year, as savings will only be slimming as the holidays near.

Finding decent Thanksgiving deals this late in the game won't exactly be a turkey shoot, but there’s still hope for those of you who act now; ditto for travelers who get to booking no later than early November for the December holidays. Gobble up some of the best fares out there by referencing these money-saving tips for booking holiday flights, then check out this week's Top 25 holiday flights deal to find the lowest fares nationwide.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, cruises, and more travel deals.

Up next...

Pre-Season Savings on St. Barts

St Barths Eden Roc
Find The Best Cruises
Find a cruise

Find the best deals!

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices