Read Before Buying Airline Tickets for the Holidays

CHRISTMAS (Make it Ho!Ho!Ho! Not Bah Humbug!)

This year, Christmas Day is on Monday, December 25, 2023. If you haven’t already bought your tickets, you need to get on that ASAP. But before you do, here’s what you need to know before buying airline tickets for the holidays.

Best Departure Dates

• Monday, December 18
• Tuesday, December 19
• Wednesday, December 20
• Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
• Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day)

Fly early during Christmas week. Most people will fly out later in the week. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are typically great days to fly, because the flights are not crowded and usually cost a lot less. If possible, fly out Christmas Eve day and arrive just in time for the festivities and well rested from your quiet flight.

Best Return Dates

• Thursday, December 28
• Friday, December 29

Many people will fly home on the Tuesday or Wednesday after Christmas to get back to work. If you can, fly home later in the week on Thursday or Friday.

Worst Departure Dates

• Thursday, December 21
• Friday, December 22
• Saturday, December 23

As already noted, many people will work the first few days of Christmas week. For that reason, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be busy travel days. If you can, fly earlier in the week or opt for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Worst Return Dates

• Tuesday, December 26
• Wednesday, December 27

The first few days after Christmas Day are always popular times to fly home. Wait until Thursday, December 28 if you can.

I think this is one of the best online airline booking sites and you can cancel up to 24 hours later if you find a better deal or change your mind!

FIVE TIPS FOR BUYING AIRLINE TICKETS FOR THE HOLIDAYS OR ANYTIME YOU FLY

• Book a Morning Nonstop Flight – As noted above, this decreases your odds of experiencing a delay or cancellation. Even if your flight is interrupted, there is a good chance you will not be stranded the entire day. That said, you usually pay a higher fare for nonstop flights but it may be worth it to make sure you arrive home for the holidays. Flights departing between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. are more likely to be on time than later flights. Evening flights are the most delayed flights. The worst day of the week for delays is usually Friday. Nearly one-third of all flights on Fridays are late departures.
• Avoid Budget Airlines – The worst record for on time and cancelled flights is usually small, budget airlines. I did an online search for this post and found that Hawaiian Airlines, Delta, and American and United had the best domestic on time records. Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, and JetBlue had the worst records.
• Know Your Rights Before Booking – If your holiday flight is significantly delayed or canceled for any reason (including bad weather), you are entitled to a refund. Also, compensation is often offered due to flight delays and cancellations.
• Make Sure Your Credit Card Offers Travel Insurance (many major credit card companies offer this perk) or buy it from a third party. It is worth the money these days! Use InsureMyTrip to compare and choose the best option for you.
• More good tips…Be sure you arrive extra early to the airport during the holidays since it will take longer to screen passengers. Make sure you have all your documents before leaving home. Be sure to check your tickets to make sure that name spelling is correct and the date is right and most of all check for a.m. or p.m. for flight time. If you mistake your 8 a.m. flight for an 8 p.m. flight, you are in big trouble! It is especially hard to re-book during the holidays with already overbooked flights. Make sure your luggage is properly labeled and that you do not pack anything “important” or “essential” in your checked bags. Be prepared with a back-up plan in case there is a problem with your flight, such as knowing other airline flights you could try to book or a rental car you could lease for the last leg of your flight if it is cancelled or an airport hotel room you can snag if you get stuck at the airport. Track the weather for storms that could impact your travel plans. Find out about food and entertainment options at the airport. Ship gifts ahead using insured ground service so you don’t have to worry about them getting lost or damaged by the airline or having to tote them around in your carry on bags. Most of all, practice patience. Remember, ’tis the season to be jolly!

Here’s the insurance I think is best!

THANKSGIVING

NerdWallet analyzed the Last four years of data provided by TSA, which tracks the number of passengers screened daily in the U.S. at its checkpoints. In each of the past four years, the Sunday after Thanksgiving was the most crowded day to travel from the seven days before and after Thanksgiving. The least crowded day? Thanksgiving Day, of course. If possible, book the first flight out on Thanksgiving Day and your ticket will be much cheaper and the flight(s) will be practically empty. You still arrive in time for Thanksgiving dinner but with much less stress and money spent. That’s a win win!

When averaging over the past four years, here were the most to least crowded days for Thanksgiving flying:

1. Sunday after Thanksgiving (most crowded).
2. Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
3. Friday before.
4. Monday after (Cyber Monday).
5. Saturday after.
6. Sunday before.
7. Tuesday before.
8. Thursday before.
9. Monday before.
10. Saturday before.
11. Thursday after.
12. Tuesday after (Giving Tuesday).
13. Friday after (Black Friday).
14. Wednesday after.
15. Thanksgiving Day.

Pre-holiday:

• Saturday before (least crowded).
• Monday before.
• Thursday before.

Post-holiday:

• Wednesday after (least crowded).
• Black Friday.
• Tuesday after.

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I hope you found this post about buying airline tickets for the holidays helpful.

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