Key Dates for Booking Holiday Travel—and Top Destinations for Festive Season Discounts

As October rolls in, the holiday season approaches, bringing with it a rise in flight prices. Fortunately, there are still some great deals to be discovered. With the right strategy and a bit of luck, you can still find an affordable holiday getaway.

"Flight prices from summer are at their lowest levels in years," stated Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at the flight deal tracking site Going, in the company's 2024 holiday travel update. "Understanding cheap flights is all about probabilities; every day holds a chance for a fantastic deal to emerge."

It's obvious that as the holidays approach, finding budget-friendly airfare becomes more challenging. So consider this your reminder: the time to book your holiday travel is now.

A recent holiday travel report from Google Flights reveals that domestic airline ticket prices are typically lowest for Thanksgiving trips when booked 45 days in advance. With Thanksgiving on November 28 this year, the optimal day to secure U.S. flights for the holiday is October 14. Google indicates that the ideal booking window for domestic Thanksgiving travel spans from 26 to 59 days before departure.

For Christmas travel, Google reports that prices tend to be lowest 58 days prior to departure, suggesting that late October is the prime time to book your Christmas flights. The best booking window for Christmas travel falls between 36 and 72 days in advance.

This aligns closely with travel booking site Hopper’s 2024 Holiday Travel Outlook, which indicates that the best holiday airfare deals can be found if you book by October 14.

"Airfare is expected to decline until the end of September, then remain low but erratic throughout October, before increasing as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach. Travelers who keep an eye on prices during this volatile period may discover excellent, time-sensitive deals," Hopper advises.

Sadly, regardless of your booking timing, you may encounter some sticker shock: Thanksgiving flights are averaging about 10 percent higher than last year, while Christmas flights are up 4 percent on average compared to the same time last year. However, Hopper anticipates that prices will drop by around $40 on average until they hit their lowest point in early October.

In summary, as noted by Expedia Group travel expert Melanie Fish, “the closer you get to your travel date, the lower your chances of landing a good deal. If you haven't booked yet, it's best to do so soon.”

Going recommends that travelers book their holiday flights at least 21 days ahead: “Many airlines have a 21-day advance purchase requirement for their lowest fares. If you try to book within 20 days of your flight, the previous cheapest fare will no longer be available, and the new lowest fare may increase by $100 to $200.”

Still haven't booked your holiday travel? Here's your guide to snagging a great deal this 2024 holiday season.

Strategies for securing holiday travel discounts in 2024

Choose destinations that are off the beaten path

Generally speaking, the more popular a holiday spot is, the pricier it becomes to reach it.

Vacation rental platform Airbnb reports that there’s still a good selection of accommodations available at various lesser-known destinations this holiday season, including Helena, Montana; ski resort Brian Head, Utah; Daytona Beach, Florida; Reno, Nevada; and Grand Junction, Colorado.

Look into European locations that are summer favorites but also shine in winter, such as Provence, France, and the Greek island of Crete.

Don’t shy away from popular cities celebrated for their festive spirit. Going has noted last-minute flight deals from New York City to Amsterdam (starting at $397); Los Angeles to Rome (from $556); and Chicago to Salt Lake City (starting at $179).

Popular holiday travel spots where Hopper reports 2024 airfares are lower than last year include Tokyo (down 9 percent for Thanksgiving), London (decreased by 7 to 10 percent for the holidays), Paris (down 16 percent for Christmas flights), and Miami (9 percent lower this Christmas).

Consider booking two one-way flights

Flight aggregators like Google Flights typically show round-trip options from a single airline or two one-way flights from partner airlines. For instance, it might suggest a trip where the outbound leg is on Alaska Airlines and the return is on American Airlines since they are both in the oneworld Alliance. However, Google Flights won’t show itineraries that combine Delta and United due to their competitive nature. Explore booking your journey separately with different airlines to potentially uncover a lower overall fare.

Check out alternative airports

Sometimes, departing from an airport further away from home can result in significant savings compared to using a closer hub.

“For instance, if you live outside of Philadelphia and dream of a winter holiday trip to Paris with your partner, but the ticket prices are currently too steep,” explains Katy Nastro, spokesperson for Going. “Round-trip tickets from Philly are over $900, but if you drive just an hour and a half to Newark, you might find that same trip for nearly $200 less.”

Think about your travel timing

Adjusting your travel dates could lead to significant savings.

As per Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, the biggest savings come when flying on the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday the following week. (A couple of years ago, my family and I flew on Thanksgiving itself and came back the following Wednesday, choosing to take a few days off after the holiday weekend instead of before. Not only were flights a third of the cost, but the holiday crowds had wonderfully diminished by the time we returned.)

Hopper estimates that travelers could save about 23 percent on their tickets by departing on the Thursday before Thanksgiving (November 21) or the Monday of Thanksgiving week (November 25), rather than flying on the weekend.

For Christmas travel, Hopper suggests considering departures the week prior to Christmas or traveling on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to maximize savings.

If you have fixed travel dates, you might find a better flight deal by choosing a later departure, such as a red-eye flight that leaves shortly after midnight on the day you need to return home. Nastro points out that red-eye flights are generally cheaper due to lower demand.

Think about using points or miles for last-minute economy tickets

To alleviate financial pressure, check if you can book your flight using points or miles. When last-minute cash prices are steep, redeeming points and miles often provides excellent value.

“Many people save their points and miles for more luxurious front-of-plane seats, but if using those rewards allows you to take a flight you might not have otherwise, especially to spend time with family, it could be worthwhile to redeem some for a winter holiday economy flight,” says Nastro.

Stay adaptable

If you're planning to travel during the winter holidays, the tips above are essential for securing a more budget-friendly ticket. However, if your goal is simply to travel, being flexible with your dates and destinations can greatly enhance your chances of finding a great deal.

“Let the deal determine your destination,” Nastro advises. “Being open to various locations can not only help you discover amazing airfare prices but also introduce you to experiences you might not have considered, which can be just as enjoyable as the usual favorites.”

One effective way to discover cheaper flights is by using Google Flights' Explore feature. Enter your departure city and preferred travel dates, then click “Explore.” This will take you to a page showcasing the most affordable flights to various destinations around the globe.

Bailey Berg contributed to this report. This article was originally published in October 2023 and was updated on October 2, 2024, to reflect the latest information.