For more than a few globetrotters, booking holiday airfare is a dreaded chore.
Because let’s face it, who enjoys being gouged on ticket prices in order to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas with loved ones?
If you happen to fall into that bucket of irritated holiday travelers, Hopper has just released a holiday travel cheat sheet for when to book to score the biggest savings on holiday travel. Here’s what the experts at Hopper suggest:
Thanksgiving 2024
Airfare for Thanksgiving trips is currently averaging $298 per round-trip ticket, which is 10% higher than this time last year and 3% higher than the pre-COVID19 pandemic cost.
But here’s the good news. Prices are expected to decline by about $40 on average until they reach their lowest point in early October.
October is what the experts at Hopper call “the sweet spot” for snagging your Thanksgiving holiday flight tickets. At that point, prices are likely to be in line with 2023 levels, and below 2019 levels.
Christmas 2024
October also is the best time to book your Christmas flights. Airfare for Christmas trips is averaging $406 per round-trip ticket, says Hopper. That’s an increase of 4% from this time last year and 13% above pre-pandemic prices.
But these prices also are expected to fall, and will do so by about $80 until they reach their lowest point in October.
When Christmas fares reach their October sweet spot, the prices are likely to be in line with 2023 levels, says Hopper.
More ways to save
Being flexible on travel dates can help you save quite a bit of money during the holiday rush. Hopper says it’s possible to save more than $100 off peak airfare by flying on less popular dates before and after each holiday week during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Departing the week before Thanksgiving or on the Monday ahead of the holiday will save travelers the most,” says Hopper. “Savvy travelers will save 23%, or about $60 per ticket, by departing on the Thursday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 21) or the Monday of Thanksgiving week (Nov. 25) instead of taking a weekend flight.”
As for the post-Thanksgiving return flight, it should come as no surprise that the Sunday after Thanksgiving is no time to be in the airport. It is the most popular return date for Thanksgiving travelers, and also the most expensive, per Hopper.
“Travelers returning on Sunday will pay a 45% premium, or $137 per ticket, more than those travelers who return the following day, Monday,” says Hopper. “Skip the Sunday return and fly home on Black Friday, or Monday, Dec. 2, to pack on the savings.”
In December, departing the week before Christmas or on Dec. 24 or Dec. 25 will save travelers the most. Travelers will save 26%, or about $100 per ticket, by departing on Christmas Eve instead of taking a flight the weekend before the holiday.
Meanwhile, the week following Christmas is an especially pricey week for domestic travel, as Americans head home from Christmas trips and head out on New Year’s trips.
For travelers headed home from the holiday, New Year’s Eve departures will be the most cost effective, saving travelers about $68 per ticket on average.
Another deadline for deals
If scoring a deal during the October “sweet spot” that Hopper is projecting is on your must-do list, then you’ll need to book airfare by Oct. 14.
“Airfare will … remain low and volatile in October before rising in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas,” says the Hopper report. “Over the next few weeks while prices are volatile, travelers who are proactively monitoring prices could get notified of great, time-sensitive deals.”
Airfare deals by region
If your holiday travel plans are not tied to a specific location, consider bring the family party to a bargain travel destination.
Hopper says airfare to international destinations in Mexico and Central America, popular for shorter holiday trips, is down compared to last year, with prices averaging $464 per round-trip ticket.
Airfare to Europe, the top destination for international travelers from the U.S., is down 7% compared to this time last year.
