Holiday Travel: How to Save Money on Airfare

Expedia provides travel tips to guide consumers on clear paths on how to save money when it comes to booking airfare and more!

With less than a week from the beginning of the fall season, queer travelers are starting to think about the upcoming holiday season. Expedia data reveals that the key to saving on holiday flights this year comes down to timing. Travelers who avoid the busiest holiday travel days can save an average of 5-15%. And that means spending time in a fabulous travel destination with opulent decked halls in your gay apparel with extra money in your bank account! 

So for starters, if you’re planning a fun Friendsgiving getaway this year, vacationers should consider booking flights that depart on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday instead of Wednesday, according to Expedia. The week of Thanksgiving can save an average of 5% on airfare. And for some destinations, the savings are even bigger – average ticket prices for Las Vegas, for example, drop from around $550 to $380 just by changing the departure date to earlier in the week.

As mentioned before, it’s never too early to plan your holiday vacation with your family or chosen fam! Expedia flight data shows travelers can save an average of 15% by departing the first half of the week instead of Thursday or Friday before Christmas. For some destinations, the savings are 30 to 35%. Roundtrip flights to Cancun, for example, are $200 cheaper if you depart Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday instead of Thursday or Friday.

Historical data from 2019 indicates travelers get the best price on holiday flights by booking around four weeks in advance of their travel date. This year, given pricing and demand trends from the summer, Expedia analysts recommend booking even earlier.

For more ways to save on holiday travel, you should check out these additional Expedia travel tips:

• Plan smart and book early. Opt-in for price alerts through the Expedia app and get notified when prices go up or down. Take advantage of Expedia’s Price Match Promise, an optional add-on that automatically refunds the price difference if your flight prices decrease on Expedia prior to travel.

• Anticipate changes. Select flexible flight options with no change fees and free cancellations which can save money in the long run as plans can change.

• Bundle and save. Book airfare, hotel, and car at the same time on Expedia, otherwise known as bundling, which saves travelers hundreds of dollars.

• Sign up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR so you can skip the lines at busy airports.

Using these helpful tips will help you devise a strategic course to plan your dream getaway (or getaways) for the holiday season! You can take a look at our article, 8 Travel Tips to Plan Your Dream Trip, for more trip-planning advice.