‘Tis the season to be jolly—but also to book your holiday flights before the festivities begin. While year-end airfares often surge, there are still ways to find affordable options if you know where to look. Keep these essential tips in mind to avoid travel headaches this Christmas season.

And don’t overlook Black Friday and Travel Tuesday! These days often bring deals that could get you where you want to go without breaking the bank.

Set Price Alerts

Setting price alerts is an excellent strategy for snagging affordable flights, especially during the busy holiday season. To start, choose your preferred travel dates and destinations on a flight comparison website or a dedicated airline app. Once you’ve entered these details, activate the price alert feature. This tool tracks fare changes for your specified route and notifies you via email or push notifications when prices drop.

Most platforms allow customization of these alerts, enabling you to specify how often you want to be updated — daily, weekly, or only when significant price changes occur. Some services even offer insights on whether to book now or wait, based on historical data and pricing trends.

Start Early and Stay Flexible

If you’re planning holiday travel, starting your flight search early and being flexible with your travel dates can lead to significant savings. It’s wise to begin looking for flights several months in advance. This way, you’ll have a better chance of finding promotional fares and discounts that airlines release early.

Also, consider the benefits of being flexible with your travel dates and times. Flying on less popular days, such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays, usually means lower fares due to reduced demand. If your schedule allows, try flying a few days before or after major holidays. While airfares often rise on peak days surrounding holidays, they tend to be lower on the days in between. This approach not only helps save money but also provides a more relaxed travel experience, steering clear of the busiest travel periods.

Clear Your Cookies or Use Incognito Mode

This is arguably the one travel hack you should be using when you book a flight. “Clearing your cookies” essentially means you’re removing the files saved on your computer through your web browser that keep a record of your online activity. For the most part, these bits of data allow you to experience the web faster and easier, but many airline and travel sites use them to see where else you’ve looked for fares and what prices you’ve seen. They then base the ticket pricing they display for you on that information…and it’s often always higher.

Browsing in “privacy” or “incognito” mode, which temporarily turns off web history and storing cookies, can theoretically accomplish the same thing, but many experts agree that it’s better to clear your cookies. To find directions on how to clear your cookies or browse in private, simply do a web search for “clear cookies” or “private browsing” with the name of whatever web browser you’re using.     

Fly Early Morning or a Red-Eye

Although they might not be the best for your sleep schedule, booking on flights that take off early in the morning or fly through the night can really save you time, hassle, and money. Because most people don’t want to wake up before dawn to get to the airport or try to carve out a restful night’s sleep in an airline seat, the demand isn’t as high for these flights, which means they tend to be cheaper.

But low costs aren’t the only benefits for early morning and red-eye flights. They tend to take off when airports are the least busy, so you can sail through check-in and security. They’re also usually less crowded, which can translate to space to stretch out and shorter wait times for luggage. Oh, and both flights tend to be the ones that are least likely to get delayed or canceled.

Look for Package Deals

Package deals can be a smart way to save on holiday travel expenses. These bundles, which often combine flights, hotels, and sometimes car rentals, can offer significant savings compared to booking each component separately. Airlines and travel agencies typically partner with hotels and car rental companies to offer these discounted packages.

When searching for travel deals, look for package options on popular travel websites or directly through airline booking platforms. These packages are particularly advantageous for popular tourist destinations, where competition among hotels and rental services drives down prices.

Moreover, package deals simplify the planning process. Instead of juggling multiple reservations and keeping track of different confirmation numbers, you get the convenience of a single booking. This consolidation not only saves time but can also offer peace of mind, knowing that most of your major travel arrangements are coordinated and bundled at a more affordable price. Keep an eye out for special promotions and seasonal offers, as these can further enhance the value of package deals.

Fly out of Smaller, Less Popular Airports

Like flexibility in travel dates, being open to airport alternatives for your destination and even where you’re flying from can help you find a break in ticket prices. Granted, this strategy depends on the cities or regions you’re traveling to, but you’d be surprised how many places often feature a variety of airports to fly in and out of. The Washington D.C. area has three (Ronald Reagan, Dulles, and BWI), the Los Angeles area has four with international flights (LAX, Ontario, John Wayne, and San Bernardino) AND another two just for domestic carriers (Bob Hope and Long Beach), while in the New York area (depending on how far fliers are willing to commute) there’s more than half-a-dozen different places to fly out of or land in.

FAQs: 

Q: Are budget airlines always the cheapest option for holiday travel?
A: Budget airlines often offer competitive prices, but traditional airlines may run promotions or sales that make them equally cost-effective. Also, it’s crucial to consider additional fees. Compare the overall cost, including fees, baggage, and comfort, to determine the best value for your specific travel needs.

Q: How far in advance should I book my holiday flights to get the best deals? 
A: Generally, booking your holiday flights several months in advance can increase the likelihood of securing lower prices. However, it’s essential to monitor prices regularly, as airlines may release promotions or adjust fares based on demand.

Q: Are last-minute deals a reliable way to find cheap holiday flights? 
A: While last-minute deals are sometimes available, they are not guaranteed, especially during peak holiday seasons. Waiting until the last minute may result in higher prices or limited seat availability. It’s advisable to plan and book your holiday flights in advance, but also keep an eye on any last-minute promotions that might arise. Balancing flexibility and timing is key to optimizing cost savings.

Q: Can I buy travel insurance while I’m on holiday?
A: Yes, it is generally possible to purchase travel insurance while on holiday. Many insurance providers offer policies that allow for mid-trip coverage. However, there are important considerations. Review the policy to understand any waiting periods or limitations. Some policies might exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions if purchased after the trip has begun.