Flying during the holiday season can strain the budget, especially for larger families. Yet with the right timing and a smart savings strategy, you can often land better deals and even earn interest on your travel fund while you wait for the perfect time to book.
Here’s how to save money on holiday flights and maximize your spending.
Holiday airfare costs fluctuate often, peaking when demand is highest. For this reason, travel experts generally recommend booking during the following windows:
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Thanksgiving travel: Aim to book your flights between late September and mid-October for the best prices. According to The Points Guy, Thanksgiving flights tend to be lowest 35 days before the departure date. So, if you haven’t already booked flights for Thanksgiving travel, consider doing so soon.
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December travel: For December holidays, including Christmas and Hanukkah, booking around 32 to 73 days before departure tends to help you find the best prices. With Christmas in particular, the first week of November is a sweet spot for booking flights.
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International travel: If you’re looking for international flights around the holidays, airfare is usually the lowest around 49 days or more before your departure date.
If you want to find the cheapest flights this holiday season, it’s wise to set up price alerts now. Online tools, such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and KAYAK, allow you to track airfare before you’re ready to book. Some airlines may also let you rebook if prices fall after your purchase, though it’s important to check airline rules first to confirm.
Keep in mind that choosing midweek flights (Tuesday through Thursday) might also save you money on your airfare. And if your holiday plans are flexible, flying on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day could also result in lower flight costs, as fewer people travel on actual holidays.
Taking advantage of credit card rewards — including points, miles, and cash back — can turn holiday airfare purchases into opportunities to save. Here are some strategies to consider if you’re trying to cut costs.
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Transfer to partners. Rewards credit cards that feature transferable points and miles often offer some of the most valuable ways to redeem points for flights and other travel rewards. Take the time to compare redemption values across different airline partners (and other options below) to maximize your rewards.
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Check credit card travel portals. Chase, American Express, and other credit card issuers run airfare sales or offer bonus points for booking through their travel portals. These types of deals have the potential to stretch your rewards further (though transferring rewards to travel partners is often the best bang for your buck).
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Mix points and cash. If you don’t have enough rewards to cover the full price of your trip, consider combining points and cash. Some airlines will let you split your payment between rewards and other payment methods. Or you might be able to cover one leg of the trip with points and pay cash for the other.
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Leverage welcome bonuses. Many credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses for meeting a minimum spending requirement within your first few months as a cardholder. These bonuses have the potential to save you hundreds of dollars off your travel costs. But be careful not to overspend just for the sake of earning a bonus, or you risk offsetting the value of any rewards you earn due to interest charges.
When used strategically, credit card rewards can reduce the amount of cash you need to purchase flights. These perks can provide you with more flexibility and help you stretch your holiday travel budget further.
While you’re saving up money and/or rewards to book your next flight, it’s important to have a smart strategy.
Your credit card issuer will hold on to the points, miles, and cash back you’ve earned until you’re ready to redeem them. (But don’t sit on those rewards too long, or they could lose value.)
When it comes to your travel fund, it’s also important to put that cash in the right place. Look for an account where your money earns interest and remains easily accessible when you need it.
Here are a few options to consider:
No matter which type of deposit account you choose, the goals are the same: Keep your holiday travel savings safe and separate from your everyday spending, while earning as much interest on the balance as possible.
A dedicated account makes it easier to track your travel fund progress and stay motivated. The right account should also help ensure your funds are available the moment you’re ready to book.
Here’s your quick recap and cheat sheet. Keep these simple steps handy when you’re saving and hunting for holiday flights.
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Open a travel fund: Keep money for airfare and other travel expenses in a separate savings account so you can track progress and resist spending it elsewhere.
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Set price alerts: Use tools such as Google Flights, Hopper, or your favorite airline app to monitor and get notifications when fares drop.
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Be ready to book: Have your budget and payment method ready. Holiday flights can fill up quickly and deals sometimes disappear in hours.
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Use rewards: Apply credit card points, miles, or cash back when possible to lower out-of-pocket expenses. Check with transfer partners and your credit card’s travel portal for extra savings opportunities.
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Double-check prices after booking: Some airlines will let you rebook if prices fall, even on reward tickets.
Booking holiday travel can often feel overwhelming, but holiday flights don’t have to drain your budget.
If you’re strategic about when you book your flights, travel during the right windows, make credit card rewards work for you, and keep your savings in an interest-earning account until you need it, you can set yourself up for a more successful experience. Then, when the holiday flight you need reaches its most affordable rate, you’ll be prepared to book with confidence.
Read more: 6 creative holiday savings tips to keep your budget in check this year
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