Holiday Airfares Are at Their Highest in Years—Discover the Best Time to Book and How to Save

This year, my husband, our two little ones, and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving in a unique way—on a plane. When we first explored booking four economy round-trip tickets for Thanksgiving week, we were truly shocked by the prices. To find a better deal, we adjusted our travel dates and chose a less traditional time to fly (specifically, right when many Americans will be gathered around the dinner table).

This strategy is just one of many hacks to help you navigate this year's skyrocketing holiday travel costs.

“After two years of limited holiday travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are once again preparing for a season filled with Thanksgiving and Christmas travel,” states travel booking platform Hopper in its 2022 Holiday Travel Outlook. “Key factors such as rising jet fuel prices, a reduction in scheduled flights, and two years of accumulated travel demand will push Thanksgiving and Christmas airfares to their highest levels in the past five years.”

The silver lining is that while holiday airfares are reaching a five-year high, travel expenses have decreased from the peaks of summer 2022. According to travel expert Sally French from financial advice site NerdWallet, flight prices have dropped by 8.8 percent since last month, and hotel rates have fallen by about 2.3 percent during the same period.

“Hotels and airfare prices soared to unprecedented levels in the summer of 2022, but those rates have now peaked,” says French. However, she cautions, “If you're planning your next vacation budget based on a trip from 2019, be prepared to spend significantly more on nearly every aspect.”

Fortunately, there are strategies to save money. Here are some expert insights on how to reduce costs and the optimal time to book your holiday flights and travel.

The ideal time to secure your holiday 2022 travel

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hopper advises booking between now and October 20. “Prices will decrease until early September, then stabilize until mid-October,” reports Hopper. However, acting quickly is essential; ticket prices tend to rise with each passing day. It’s best to finalize your holiday travel plans by October 10.

How to snag a great deal on holiday travel

Begin your planning now

Stay ahead of the last-minute scramble—and price increases—by finalizing your holiday travel arrangements as soon as possible. Trends show that during the pandemic, travelers became more likely to make spur-of-the-moment decisions due to an unpredictable travel environment. Now is the perfect time to change that habit if you want to save on flights, car rentals, and accommodations.

Consider traveling during off-peak times

You might not need to follow my family’s example and fly on Thanksgiving Day itself, but steering clear of the busiest travel periods can be beneficial. “For Thanksgiving, departing on the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week will yield the greatest savings,” advises Hopper. (We also chose to return the week after Thanksgiving, flying back the Wednesday post-holiday to secure better rates.) Departing the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas and coming back midweek the following week can also lead to lower flight costs.

Set up price trackers and alerts

A practical method for keeping tabs on airfare is to utilize price tracking tools available on platforms like Google Flights, Hopper, or Kayak. Set up alerts to compare flight prices and secure them when they reach their lowest or most reasonable rates. Airfares will fluctuate daily until early October, before consistently rising in the final two months leading up to Christmas. “The next few weeks of price volatility mean that travelers actively monitoring fares could receive notifications about great, time-sensitive deals,” Hopper explains.

Recognize a good deal when it appears

Wondering when to book? As of mid-September, good deal round-trip domestic airfares for Thanksgiving are averaging around $350, while Christmas fares average about $463, according to Hopper. If you’re finding prices at or below these averages, it’s unlikely you’ll come across significantly better options. For international round-trips, Thanksgiving averages are $795, and Christmas averages are $1,300. (So if you’re considering traveling abroad, Thanksgiving might be the more favorable time this year.)

Consider alternative destinations (and airports)

If you’re flying to visit family or friends, your destination may be fixed. However, exploring nearby airports could reveal more appealing airfare options. Check what flights are available at Burbank or Long Beach instead of LAX, or LaGuardia versus JFK, or Oakland versus SFO.

If you’re contemplating a holiday getaway—perhaps to Mexico, the Caribbean, or even the enchanting holiday markets of Europe—consider letting airfare prices guide your choice. A fantastic deal might just be the push you need to finalize your destination, including options you hadn’t previously considered.

This year’s top domestic destinations for Thanksgiving and Christmas include Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Seattle. On the international front, popular holiday spots include Cancun, Dublin, Madrid, Manila, and Mexico City. To steer clear of crowds and inflated prices, think about alternatives to these well-traveled locations.