Booking holiday flights can feel like trying to score tickets for a sold-out concert—competitive, stressful, and unpredictable. But with the right know-how, you can beat the rush and snag affordable holiday fares.
I promise it IS possible.
Here are my expert tips to help you book cheap holiday flights so your vacation starts on the right note.
Start Early, But Stay Flexible
Timing is everything when booking holiday flights. Leave it too late, and you’ll get caught up in the festive surge pricing, which can completely blow your budget.
…But when is the sweet spot for cheap airfares?
A recent holiday travel report from Google Flights found the best time to find the lowest prices for domestic Thanksgiving travel is around 45 days before departure. With Thanksgiving on the 28th of November, October 14th would have been the best time to buy flights.
What if you miss the 45-day window? Google notes that you can still find cheap flights up to 26 days before departure.
It’s a similar story for Christmas travel. According to the Google Flights study, the best time to snag deals is 58 days before departure, but you have a low price booking range between 36 to 72 days out.
Still need some convincing to book your flights sooner rather than later?
Listen to what flight deal track site Going has to say: “Airlines usually require a 21-day advance purchase requirement for the lowest fares. If you book 20 days before the flight, the previous cheapest fare will expire. Your new lowest fare could be a couple of hundred dollars higher.”
Pro Tip: Set up fare alerts on platforms like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to monitor price fluctuations. You can also use a tool like Going to snag deals and set up alerts. The app is free for continental US deals, making it the perfect travel companion for finding holiday airfare deals.
Try Alternative Airports
Big-name airports like LAX are booked, busy, and expensive. If you want to save on flights, expand your search to nearby or secondary airports at your destination.
Let’s look at some airport data.
Flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) have an average ticket price of $445.
Ouch.
But if you fly into Oakland International Airport (OAK), you’ll pay an average of $304.
That’s a potential saving of $141!
Consider a Layover, Maybe?
For international and domestic holiday travel, it pays to be open to layovers. Direct flights are more convenient but sometimes are pricier, especially during peak travel periods.
How much cheaper?
I did some investigating on Skyscanner to see the difference between a domestic trip around Christmas.
Here’s what I found:
Washington DC to Seattle: $493 direct or $294 for a stopover in Denver.
Yes, it does increase your travel time, but if you have the flexibility, it can save you $199 that you could use to explore a new city or keep in your back pocket.
Look at One-Way Ticket Prices
One-way tickets are a strategic way to get around high prices and find cheap holiday airfares.
How?
Well, different airlines will price routes differently based on demand and other factors. By mixing and matching your airlines, you can potentially find cheaper holiday flights for each leg of your journey. This is because airlines often use one-way pricing to fill empty seats on their planes.
While this strategy might not yield results every time, it’s still worth cross-checking to see if one-way flights could cut your total cost.
To find the best one-way deals, use flight comparison sites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to compare airline fares. Once you find a low-cost combination, check the airline’s direct site to confirm pricing.
I always recommend booking directly with the airline, especially during the holiday season. Sure, third-party sites like Kiwi.com often have incredible deals, but you’re losing out on better customer service support.
With high flight delays and cancellations over the festive period, it pays to play it safe.
Book with Delays and Cancellations in Mind
Holiday travel is notorious for packed planes and unpredictable weather. I recommend building a buffer in your schedule to avoid as much stress as possible from potential disruptions.
What does this look like?
It could mean flying in a day earlier and flying out after the holiday rush. Another way to protect yourself is to choose flights with longer layovers to avoid any missed connections from derailing your plans.
When it comes time to book your flights, I always aim for early morning flights. Getting up early sucks, but the first flights out are less prone to cancellations and delays, giving you the best shot of arriving at your destination on time.
Know Your Rights
Flight disruptions are unfortunately common during the holidays. Read up on your rights before you travel to give you the confidence to navigate any unexpected changes.
If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, remember that for itineraries arriving in or departing from the U.S., you’re entitled to a refund—not just a travel credit.
Find yourself bumped from an overbooked flight? You’re entitled to compensation if you didn’t voluntarily give up your seat.
Although U.S. airlines aren’t legally required to provide accommodations for delays beyond the cost of the flight, some will extend courtesies like meal vouchers or hotel stays if you ask directly at the airport.
To learn more about your rights, read these posts as well:
- What Happens (& What Are You Entitled to) When You’re Stuck on The Tarmac?
- The Art of Being a Savvy Traveler: Pro Tips for Stress-Free Travel
- How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance
Plan Smart, Travel Happy
Booking cheap holiday flights doesn’t have to be a gamble. With these tips, you’ll be prepared to find flights that suit your budget- not break it.
The key is to start early, stay flexible, and make use of all available travel resources. Happy travels, and may your holiday journey be as smooth as your destination is exciting!
Do you have any questions about finding affordable holiday flights? Let me know in the comments below.