By Sam Kemmis | NerdWallet
When it comes to holiday travel, I’ve always been a bit of a Grinch. The idea of paying exorbitant prices for airfare just doesn’t sit well with me. Spending $1,000 on a round-trip ticket for a domestic flight that would normally cost half that amount feels unjust. That’s why, for the most part, I choose to stay home during the end of November and December and explore the world during the other 49 weeks of the year.
For years, I’ve been campaigning within my family to celebrate Thanksgiving earlier, a week or two in advance. This way, we could all enjoy a festive feast together without the hassle of holiday travel. Unfortunately, my campaign has yet to succeed.
However, I’m slowly starting to understand the importance of holiday travel. Yes, it can be inconvenient. Yes, airports are filled with noisy kids (including mine now). And yes, it can be quite expensive. But beyond all the financial aspects, it’s about being with family.
Now, don’t get me wrong, my Grinchy heart still cares about price tags. Even when traveling during the holidays, I try to spend as little as possible. So here’s my approach:
Step 1: Book right about … now
In recent years, it has been challenging to determine the best time to book holiday travel. The pandemic shook up travel patterns, leading to conflicting opinions from experts on when airfare prices would be at their lowest.
Fortunately, the confusion has settled, and we now have a clearer picture. According to a recent report from Google Flights, the best time to book mid-to-late December travel (both domestic and European flights) is right now — about 10 weeks before departure.
Contrary to what your anxious parents might have told you, booking months in advance won’t necessarily save you money. Hopper, a travel booking platform, reports that prices for December trips have actually dropped by around $40 since the summer. However, this downward trend won’t continue for long. After hitting rock bottom in October, fares are expected to rise rapidly throughout November, potentially increasing by up to $40 per day in the week leading up to the holidays.
Keep in mind that fuel costs could also impact airfare prices in the future. After hitting lows earlier this summer, oil prices have been steadily increasing. This could add even more pressure to holiday travel prices.
With all these factors in mind, it’s crucial to book your flights as soon as possible.
Step 2: Travel when others won’t
Everyone wants to know the secret to finding cheap airfare during the holidays. Well, here’s the truth: prices remain high throughout Thanksgiving week and the last two weeks of December.
Even using points and miles doesn’t always help. According to a NerdWallet analysis of hundreds of airline routes, booking award travel during the holidays generally results in a lower value per mile compared to other times.
In simple terms, using miles during the holidays isn’t a great way to avoid high prices. You’ll end up spending a significant amount of miles instead of cash.
So what’s the solution? You’ll have to be willing to do something that other travelers won’t. Here are some options:
- Book flights on the holidays themselves. For example, flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day could save you about $114 per ticket on domestic routes, according to Hopper.
- Take a longer trip. Flying on the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning on any weekday of the following week could save you over $100 on flight costs, based on Hopper data.
- Propose a new holiday celebration in early December, when airfares tend to be lower. But I have to warn you, the success rate of this strategy is approximately 0%, based on my personal data.
Step 3: Consider total costs
It’s easy to get fixated on airfare costs during the holidays and go to great lengths to avoid high fares. You might consider taking overnight layovers or extending your trip to three weeks, thinking you’re saving money.
However, airfare is just one part of the overall expenses involved in holiday travel. It’s important to take into account additional costs such as lodging, pet sitters, and dining out if you prefer to avoid awkward family meals. These costs can quickly negate any savings you might make on airfare.
The bottom line is, the shock of seeing $1,000 fares in December might tempt some people (like me) to come up with elaborate solutions, but these workarounds can end up costing more in terms of actual dollars or your mental well-being. After all, who wants to spend three weeks on a futon?
Maintaining the Grinch Spirit
You could choose to avoid holiday travel altogether and be a Grinch like me. Alternatively, you could book your travel without considering the cost and accept whatever overpriced fares are available.
A better approach is to find a middle ground: be aware of the costs without getting lost in the details. If possible, book your travel in October, avoid peak dates, and consider traveling when others won’t, such as on Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to keep total travel costs in mind, including accommodation and pet sitters, and remember that airfare isn’t the only expense.
Above all, focus on what truly matters: spending time with your loved ones.
But not too much, of course.
The article Ask a Travel Nerd: 3 Steps to Booking Holiday Travel originally appeared on NerdWallet.
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