The holiday season is one of the busiest times for travel in the United States. With people flying across the country to visit family, celebrate with friends, or take advantage of a well-earned vacation, airfare prices often surge. However, there are ways to beat the price hike and score excellent deals—if you know when and how to book. In this blog, we’ll dive into how you can find the best flight deals for holiday travel by booking early and strategically.
1. Why Booking Early Matters
Booking your flight well in advance is one of the most effective ways to secure affordable airfare during the holiday season. According to travel experts, prices for holiday flights tend to rise significantly as the departure date approaches. By booking early, you not only save money but also have access to a wider range of flight options, including your preferred times and airlines.
Here’s why booking early is crucial:
- Lower Prices: Airlines often release cheaper tickets several months before the holidays. Once these tickets sell out, prices typically increase.
- Better Seat Selection: Booking early gives you more flexibility in choosing your seat and flight time, which is especially important during peak travel periods.
- Reduced Stress: Securing your flights early removes the pressure of last-minute searches and price hikes, allowing you to focus on planning other aspects of your trip.
2. When Is the Best Time to Book?
The key to finding the best flight deals for holiday travel is to start searching and booking as early as possible. Here are some guidelines on when to book for specific holidays:
- Thanksgiving Travel: The best time to book flights for Thanksgiving is in September or early October. Prices typically start rising in late October, and by November, deals are hard to come by.
- Christmas and New Year’s Travel: Book your Christmas or New Year’s flights between late August and mid-October. Waiting until November or December will likely result in significantly higher prices and limited availability.
- Off-Peak Holiday Travel: If you’re traveling during non-major holidays like Labor Day or Memorial Day, booking two to three months in advance is usually sufficient to find good deals.
3. How to Find the Best Holiday Flight Deals
Finding the best flight deals for holiday travel isn’t just about booking early—it’s also about using the right tools and strategies. Here are some tips to help you maximize your savings:
- Use Flight Comparison Websites: Tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak allow you to compare prices across multiple airlines and booking platforms. They also offer features like price alerts to notify you of any drops in airfare. Ezee Flights provides the cheapest domestic flights deals on various domestic and international destinations.
- Set Fare Alerts: Setting up fare alerts for your desired destinations can help you stay on top of price changes. Apps like Hopper or websites like Airfarewatchdog will send notifications when prices drop, allowing you to book the best deals instantly.
- Consider Alternative Airports: Flying into or out of smaller, nearby airports can sometimes result in lower fares. For example, instead of flying into LAX for Los Angeles, consider Long Beach or Burbank airports.
- Flexible Dates Equal Bigger Savings: If your travel dates are flexible, use the “flexible dates” option on booking platforms to see when the cheapest flights are available. Often, flying a day or two before or after peak travel days can save you a significant amount of money.
- Take Advantage of Airline Sales: Keep an eye out for seasonal sales from major airlines. Many airlines, like Southwest, Delta, and United, offer special holiday promotions that can help you save on airfare.
Here are the current flights deals by Ezee Flights
Domestic Flight Deals & Offers to Orlando, USA
Flight Deals & Offers to Fort Lauderdale, USA
Flight Deals and Offers to New York, USA
Flight Deals and Offers to Chicago, USA
Flights Deals & Offer to Miami, USA
Flights Deals & Offer to Las Vegas, USA
4. Best Days to Fly for Holiday Savings
Timing your travel on less popular days can also result in significant savings. For instance:
- Thanksgiving: Flying on Thanksgiving Day itself or the Monday after Thanksgiving is often cheaper than traveling the day before or the weekend after.
- Christmas: Flying on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day tends to be more affordable compared to the days leading up to the holiday. For return flights, consider traveling after New Year’s to avoid the post-Christmas rush.
5. Leverage Frequent Flyer Miles and Credit Card Points
If you’re a frequent traveler, now is the perfect time to cash in those miles or credit card points for holiday flights. Airlines typically open up more reward seats early in the year, so booking with miles in advance can help you avoid high fares altogether.
Some credit cards also offer bonus points or rewards specifically for holiday travel, making it easier to reduce costs even further. Be sure to check your reward program and consider booking flights with points well in advance, as reward seats are often limited during peak travel seasons.
6. Don’t Forget About Budget Airlines
Low-cost carriers like Spirit, Frontier, and Southwest often offer some of the best holiday flight deals for U.S. domestic travel. While these airlines may have fewer frills, they can be a great option for budget-conscious travelers. Just be sure to factor in any additional fees for things like baggage and seat selection to avoid surprises at checkout.
Final Thoughts
The holiday season doesn’t have to break the bank. By planning ahead and booking early, you can secure great deals on flights to your favorite U.S. destinations. Use comparison tools, set fare alerts, and be flexible with your dates to find the best possible offers. Whether you’re traveling to visit family or taking a holiday vacation, booking early is the key to stress-free, affordable holiday travel.
So don’t wait—start your search for the best holiday flight deals today! Safe travels and happy holidays!