It might sound contradictory, but snagging reasonably priced plane tickets for the holiday season is achievable.
Below are our top strategies and tactics for finding budget-friendly holiday airfare (many of these techniques are useful year-round, too):
10 Strategies and Tips for Scoring Cheap Holiday Flights
If the cost of traveling home for the holidays is stressing you out, these 10 insider tips can help you land less expensive flights this season.
1. Don’t Delay
Seriously, purchase your tickets as soon as you can. According to Google Flights data, the ideal timeframe for domestic travel is 21–52 days before departure. That’s about 28 days earlier than in 2023.
For holiday travel, it’s wise to reserve even earlier. If you’re going home for Thanksgiving, aim to book in early October. For Christmas travel, late October is typically the best window.
Of course, not everyone finalizes holiday plans that far ahead. While statistics favor early October for Thanksgiving fares and later October for Christmas bargains, you can still find affordable holiday flights up to about three weeks before you leave.
After that three-week mark, airlines often raise prices. At that stage, you might be better off driving — or catching a ride with a festive chauffeur.
2. Compare Multiple Sources
When researching flights, don’t depend only on the airlines’ own sites. Use tools like Google Flights, Priceline, Momondo, ITA Flight Matrix, and Skyscanner to compare fares across carriers.
Some of these services simply aggregate data and send you to an airline’s site to book, while others let you complete a booking through a third-party platform. Proceed with care: booking directly with the airline is usually safer and more dependable.
3. Use Price Alerts
Constantly refreshing a flight search can be tiring. If you don’t have the time to monitor fares several times a day, let technology handle it. Flight trackers can alert you when prices fall for your chosen dates, times and routes.
Many airlines and travel credit cards also provide options to lock in a fare for a limited time. So if you find a great holiday price but need to confirm plans with relatives or sort logistics, you may be able to hold that rate for a small fee.
About cookies (not the holiday kind): For years people have worried airlines track your searches with cookies then raise prices when you return. There’s no solid evidence to support this. Airlines and travel firms deny it, and most experts agree it’s unlikely.
4. Fly on the Holiday
Few travelers want to fly on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s Day — and that reluctance can sometimes result in excellent deals for those willing to travel on the holiday itself.
Flying on the holiday doesn’t have to mean skipping traditions. You could leave very early to arrive in time for dinner, or coordinate with family to celebrate a day later. If everyone is on board, you’ll save money and avoid crowded airports. CheapAir offers a calendar of the best and worst days to fly around the holidays.
5. Take Early Flights and Consider Layovers
Waking up for a 6 a.m. departure after a night of holiday festivities might be tough, but early flights are generally cheaper than late-morning, afternoon, or evening options. With delays and cancellations on the rise, scheduling an early flight also gives you more time to rebook if problems occur.
Nonstop flights usually cost more than itineraries with stops. If you don’t mind changing planes and waiting in another terminal, choosing a flight with one or more layovers can significantly lower your fare. Just allow enough connection time to accommodate possible delays!
6. Look at Nearby Airports
A larger airport isn’t necessarily the most affordable. Explore alternate departure and arrival airports to find better deals. You can even fly into one airport and depart from another.
For suggestions, see Johnny Jet’s helpful list of alternate U.S. airports. Just ensure you have a cost-effective way to reach your family if you land farther from your holiday destination.
7. Pick the Right Day to Fly
To keep costs down, avoid flying on Sundays. This advice applies year-round — especially during the holidays. Wednesday is typically the cheapest day to fly. Google Flights data indicates Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday fares are about 13% lower than Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
8. Lengthen Your Trip
Adding a day or two before or after the holiday weekend can sometimes produce cheaper fares. For instance, if you’re expected to work the Monday after Thanksgiving, ask your boss about working remotely or taking a vacation day, then fly home Monday evening.
You may miss a bit of income, but the savings on your ticket could offset that — and you’ll gain an extra day with loved ones.
9. Ship Gifts Instead of Checking Extra Bags
Baggage fees have climbed and can significantly increase travel costs. If you’re flying home for Christmas, consider shipping presents directly to your family rather than packing them. Ask relatives to do the same so you aren’t burdened with extra luggage.
Is it slightly less magical? Maybe. But avoiding additional baggage charges lets you spend more on gifts for friends and family.
If you struggle with baggage fees even without gifts, check out packing strategies to dodge checked-luggage charges.
10. Pay with a Travel Rewards Card
There’s no getting around it: holiday airfare is pricey. However, using a travel rewards credit card can help you reclaim some of the expense.
Certain travel cards provide cash back while others earn points for future travel. If you already have a points card, you might be able to redeem existing rewards to cover holiday flights.
