Question by GrayBush: When is the best time to book holiday travel?
I’m asking when I am most likely to find the cheapest flights for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Should I book long before, somewhere in the middle, or wait for a last minute deal?

Best answer:

Answer by ThePerfectStranger
Interesing. I just answered a similar question for someone else.

Holiday or non-holiday is no difference. The best time to buy an airline ticket is when that ticket is at its lowest price. Well this may sound stupid, but hear me out. Airline tickets can fluctuate in price regularly – daily and/or hourly. It is about demand and supply. Popular flight destination and times are normally going to be more expensive; however, each airline offers sales or specials from time to time. The way to take advantage of these offers is to watch the prices regularly and when a good offer is available – buy it. If you wait, the price could change that day or the next day. There is no real secret. Some say wait till the last minute. Well if the flight is a popular flight, chances are you won’t get a ticket at any price. Don’t believe the last minute special, it seldom pays off. The best thing to do is plan in advance. I mean as soon as you know when and where you want to go, start looking. Pick a web site. Most web sites are the same. There is no particular web site that is better than another as far as pricing. They sell for the same airlines. The web site does not set pricing. Be flexible in your dates and departure times. It may be cheaper to fly during the week and at odd hours. Remember supply and demand, the more popular, the more the cost. I like to use Travelocity because it has a flexible flight locater. You just put the month or months you want to travel and it shows you by airline the flight starting with the cheapest. You pick the best price and then the travel dates that the fare is offered. If the price isn’t good enough, try again later. It is important that you start early. Airlines usually post prices 330 days in advance. I recommend that you start at least 4 months before your planned flight and sooner if possible. I have booked really cheap sale fares as much as 8-10 month in advance. I will give you and example. I was planning a trip this Christmas as my wife and I usually do. I started looking in January. In March, I saw a sale to my destination for $ 118 a ticket ($ 157 with taxes and surcharges). This was a Christmas flight so it can work for Holiday seasons. Of course, I bought it. The next day, that very same ticket was $ 480.

The secret is plan ahead and start looking. Book when you find a deal.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. When is the best time to book hotels for New York during Christmas time?
  2. If I am going to book a holiday to Kenya, would I get a cheaper deal if I book it during the January sales?
  3. Q&A: Where to stay in New York City at Christmas time?
  4. when should I buy air tickets to Spain for travel in December?
  5. Wheres the best deals to travel to Taipei during december.?

Tagged with: • • • •

Filed under: Christmas Travel Deals

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!