Plan Smart for Holiday Travel
The holiday travel season is fast approaching. Don't just plan ahead -- plan smart! Let the travel experts at Hotwire fill you in on sure-fire strategies for getting a great deal on your holiday flights.
Think beyond the usual dates.
If you're looking for an affordable autumn or early-winter vacation, time your trip to avoid the holiday travel rush. Consider traveling in early November or early December. Airfares are typically more affordable during these times, when seats remain unsold.
Don't follow the herd: Fly on off-peak days.
Consider traveling on non-peak and off-peak days, when more seats are available -- you'll often find better flight options as well as lower fares. Sometimes the difference of just a day or two can add up to a significant savings on airfare.
TIP: Use the calendar below to find non-peak and off-peak dates for your trip. Once you've selected your dates, try a search. As we look for the lowest fares for your preferred travel dates, our exclusive price-comparison engine will analyze recent searches and show lower fares for similar dates.
Find your deal here
Travel on the holiday itself.
Airlines often discount tickets for flights on the actual holiday date, when planes tend to be less full. If you're flying from east to west, you may be able to leave home in the morning and still make it to your destination in time for a big holiday dinner.
Check fares to alternate airports.
If you're traveling to a major city, consider flying into a secondary airport . If you're visiting New York City, for example, look for flights into Newark -- they're often more affordable than those into JFK, even considering the additional cost of an airport shuttle.
Book early to beat the rush.
Airlines use Hotwire to fill their unsold seats, so be ready to book when the price is right. The longer you wait, the less likely that you'll find the price you like on a flight you want... so act quickly to lock in your fare before seats become scarce.