Travel Tips: Book Christmas Travel Soon

from jaunted.com

It's not yet Halloween. But those wanting to fly home for Christmas should plan to book their getaways soon if they want to nab the cheapest fares.

Based on booking data from the last three years, fliers should book their Christmastime vacation by Nov. 12 to get the best deal. Prices will increase starting Nov. 13.

A domestic round-trip flight, booked between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5, for instance, is expected to cost $314 on average, based on previous years' bookings. But prices are likely to dramatically rise starting Nov. 13, with the average domestic round trip costing $352.

Overall, domestic fares are up roughly 7.5% for travel over Christmas as compared with last year, with the average round trip ticket costing $450. International travel is also slightly more expensive. The average round-trip fare inched up 2.5% to $1,016.

Airlines have been very disciplined over the last several years about not adding new seats into the market, particularly during times when more travelers are clamoring to fly. That's allowed airlines to be able to increase the fares pretty consistently going back two or three years.

Hotels are also costing more. The average domestic daily rate is is $204 this winter, a 15% increase over last year, while international hotels are showing an average daily rate of $342, 31% more than last year.

Still, there are ways to get deals. Three weeks before Christmas, the average domestic round-trip fare is expected to dip as low as $313 before spiking again.

And it pays to be flexible. Traveling on Dec. 23 or 24 is likely to get fliers a lower fare than taking off at the end of the previous week. And when heading back home, ticket prices are looking high for the Sunday and Monday after Christmas, so if you can avoid those two dates you can also snag some better deals.

Also consider flights at secondary airports, and if possible, book a travel package that includes both the flight and the hotel. Almost any time you bundle together you're saving money.

Your travel agent can help you get the best possible package for your needs.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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