Looking for cheap holiday flights?
It may sound like an oxymoron, but finding reasonably priced airfare for the holidays is doable.
If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you.
Getty Images
Dont Wait
Seriously, buy your tickets as early as possible.
According todata from Google Flights.the sweet spot for domestic flights is 21-52 days before departure.
Thats 28 days earlier than it was in 2023.
For the holidays, its better to book even earlier.
Travelers heading home for Thanksgiving should book their trips in early October.
And if youre traveling for Christmas, the back end of October is the ideal booking window.
Of course, not everyone knows their holiday plans so far in advance.
Once you hit that three-week pre-departure window, airlines will jack up the rates.
At that point, youre better off driving or hitching a ride with Santa.
Shop Around for the Best Deal
For researching your flight options, dont rely solely on the airlines websites.
Use resources likeGoogle Flights,Priceline,Momondo,ITA Flight Matrix, andSkyscannerto compare prices across different airlines.
Some of these resources merely compile the data but take you to the airlines website to book directly.
Others let you book through their third-party site.
Exercise caution: Its almost always safer and more reliable to book directly.
Online flight trackers can send you alerts when prices drop for your preferred travel date, time and destination.
Many airlines and travel credit cards alike offer programs to lock in prices for a set number of days.
But there is no evidence of this.
Airlines and travel companies deny these claims, and most travel experts now agree that its untrue.
Flying on the holiday doesnt have to mean missing all the festivities.
One option would be to leave super early in the morning, arriving just in time for turkey.
Another would be to coordinate with your family to celebrate the day after.
Heres a calendar from CheapAir showing thebest and worst days to flyaround the holidays.
Flying direct is also more expensive than a flight with one or more layovers.
Just give yourself enough time between flights to account for delays!
Check Fares at Nearby Airports
Just because an airport is the biggest doesnt mean its the cheapest.
Check alternate departure and arrival airports to try and score a deal.
you could even fly into one airport and out of another.
If you need ideas, check out this handy list ofalternate airportsfrom Johnny Jet.
All Smart Credit Card Users:
Debt can get out of control fast.
(Inflation, amiright?)
That doesnt mean you have to let your debt run your life.
Know When to Fly
If you want to save money, dont fly on a Sunday.
This rule applies all year long but especially around the holidays.
Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly.
Is it a little less magical?
If you struggle with baggage fees evenwithoutthe presents, check out ourpacking tips to avoid luggage fees.
Use a Rewards Travel Card
Theres no way around it: Holiday flights are expensive.
Some travel credit cards might earn you cash back while others can rack up points for future travel.
If you have a points card, you could even use existing points to fund your holiday flights.
Susan Shain contributed to this post.
