Holiday travel is exciting, but it can be one of the most expensive times of year to fly. Airfare is especially turbulent at peak travel times such as Christmas, New Year, Thanksgiving and other major holidays, with prices ballooning and swinging from day to day. That’s why it pays to take your time and compare your fare before you hit “book now.”
Why Prices Jump During Peak Season
Airlines know the demand for the holidays is predictable. Airlines modify pricing algorithms to capture demand when millions of travelers try to book seats on the same handful of dates. A $200 trip in October could cost you $450 a week before Christmas. Add in limited seat availability, fewer discount fares and last-minute business travelers competing for those same seats and it’s no wonder holiday fares are notoriously unpredictable.
Why You Should Always Compare Your Fare First
One of the most common and costly mistakes travelers make is booking the first price they see. Here is why comparison is more important during the holidays:
- Prices vary by airline and route. The same city pair can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on the carrier, layover and travel date.
- Flexible dates save money – You can save a lot if you change your departure or return date by a day or two.
- Fare tools show you patterns – Comparison tools show you price trends over time so you can tell if a fare is actually low or likely to drop more.
- Bundled deals are not always cheaper – Sometimes it is cheaper to book flights and hotels separately than a bundled “deal”, but you won’t know unless you compare.
Smart Tips for Holiday Fare Comparison
- Begin early, but keep checking. Holiday fares are often released months in advance, but prices can fluctuate. Check them regularly, don’t book at the first search.
- Utilize flexible date search. Many comparison tools allow you to see a full week or month of prices at a glance, making it easy to spot the cheapest days to fly.
- Find airports close to me Sometimes flying out of a secondary airport near your city can cut fares.
- Create price alerts. Be notified when prices drop in your route, so you don’t have to manually refresh search results.
- Check total cost not just base fare. Bag fees, seat selection, and other add-ons can change which “cheap” flight is actually the better deal.
Make Comparison Part of Your Booking Routine
Getting the best holiday fares is not luck, it is preparation. So, before you book your next holiday trip, take a few extra minutes to compare your fare on multiple airlines and dates. Platforms like FareCompare are built just for this, so you can see fare trends, compare prices among airlines and time your booking for the best possible deal.
A little comparison shopping now can mean a whole lot more money in your pocket for holiday gifts, food and fun – versus an overpriced plane ticket.