Ten Reasons Why RIGHT NOW is the time to book holiday travel!

Normally, there is a window to buy airline tickets and lodging, such as three weeks before the holiday for Thanksgiving. But this year that formula is no good. Due to the rising cost of well, everything, right now is the time to book holiday travel both domestic and abroad.

A scary statistic is that fares are up 24% over this same time last year. That is a big jump and a ten year high! And the prices are only expected to go higher and higher as we get closer to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.

While it will be hard to find any real bargains, I do have some suggestions to make to help you score the lowest fares possible.

Here are my ten reasons why right now is the time to book holiday travel and the best way to do it.

Pick the right day. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are the cheapest days to fly. Mondays, Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days.
Set up Deal Alerts. Sign up with price tracking apps, such as Google Flights, Kayak, Hopper and Skyscanner.
Be realistic about fares. Whatever travel you are planning whether it is a cruise or hotel or flight is going to cost more than you paid last year so don’t play the waiting game. Cheaper fares won’t be rolled out even if the war ends and gas prices finally start dropping–at least not in 2026.
Direct flights cost more so consider a flight with one or two stops. That said, less stops means less chance for delays or cancellations. Check the difference in fares and decide if the savings is worth the gamble. Traveling early in the day helps ensure there is less chance for a flight delay or cancellation. The earlier the flight the better.
Consider an alternative airport. Instead of flying into JFK, check flights into LaGuardia and Newark as well. Consider driving to an airport that is an hour or two away if the fare is much lower.
Be aware that the airlines are no longer picking up the tab for hotel rooms, transfers and meal vouchers under certain conditions. For example, if a plane is grounded for unexpected mechanical maintenance or removing unruly passengers, the airline may or may not offer these things. They now been granted greater leeway for reimbursements. This is thanks to the FAA Reauthorization Act that went into effect October 19, 2026. Other things that the airline may not be on the hook for is medical emergencies on board or at the gate, aircraft damage, cybersecurity attack, unexpected government shutdowns, airport closures and baggage or cargo loading delays.
If possible, book directly with the airline. If there is a problem and you need to rebook, it is easiest to do so directly with the airline at the airport rather than trying to reach a third party for a quick resolution. If you are a loyalty member, you do receive perks, such as free miles and upgrades. If you are already a member and have miles or points available, cash them in for free tickets or upgrades.
Buy travel insurance, especially if going overseas or with a complicated itinerary/expensive cost or if bad weather is a possibility (such as the Caribbean during hurricane season or winter storms during Christmas travel). Compare costs and policies at InsureMyTrip. Be sure to read the fine print. You must buy insurance when you book travel not later. But before you buy travel insurance check if one of your credit cards offers delay or cancellation coverage. Many of them do nowadays.
Fare will be highest on peak times, such as the day before Thanksgiving, the day before Christmas Eve, and the day before New Year’s Eve, so avoid those days. Actually, the best day to travel for Thanksgiving is on Monday, November 23 or on Thanksgiving Day. Get the first flight out and you will have the plane or road largely to yourself and save a lot of money! The same is true for the return trip. The Sunday after Thanksgiving will be the busiest and most expensive travel day. This year Sunday after New Year’s Day (January 3, 2027) will be the most expensive and this year Christmas is on a Friday so the worst day to travel will be on Sunday, December 27.
Lastly, if you book a standard ticket you can change your flight if you need to or if you find a better fare by some chance. If you buy the cheapest non-refundable ticket, you cannot change your flight without a hefty penalty.

Bonus Tips! Set up a GoFundMe page and ask family and friends to contribute money towards your holiday travel or trip home in lieu of gifts. Also, always check the latest TSA guidelines and REAL ID requirements. If possible, ship gifts and luggage. If you cannot, be sure to leave gifts unwrapped and a carry-on bag to avoid baggage hassles. Always carry an emergency credit card, extra cash and set up flight update alerts.