It’s time for the chaotic holiday travel season again. If the in-laws have not reached out yet, hounding for an itinerary, that call or text is probably imminent.
More than half of Americans plan to travel during the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or both this year, a recent study by Hopper found. If you are one of them who have not booked your flight or hotel already, you’ll likely end up paying more than you’d like to visit family and friends.
While there was a brief respite during the fall when prices fell substantially from their summer peak, prices have rebounded about 50% for both Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, according to Clint Henderson, the managing editor at The Points Guy.
“If you see a deal, you should grab it right away because we’re just not expecting deals on holiday travel this year,” Henderson adds. “It’s likely to get worse from here on in.”
Henderson recommends using your reward points and miles if you have them to get their maximum value because cash prices are so high.
If you plan to travel during Thanksgiving or Christmas and have not booked your flight or hotel already, you’ll likely end up paying more than you’d like. Bloomberg via Getty Images
I usually go home to the Bay Area for Christmas from New York,” he said. “Flights that are normally $300, $400 are now $800, $1,200. So, you really got to shop around right now.”
There’s a confluence of factors going on for the price increases, according to Henderson.
First, airlines had to dramatically scale back the number of flights and the number of seats they’re selling to most destinations in order to get operational reliability in decent shape.
“Combine that with increased demand because everyone who hasn’t been going home for Christmas for the past couple of years because of the pandemic … they’re willing to pay more,” Henderson said.
Previous 1 of 2 Next A recent Hopper study found that over half of Americans plan to travel during the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, or both this year. Airlines had to dramatically scale back the number of flights and the number of seats they’re selling to most destinations.
Now, throw in soaring prices for aviation fuel, and it’s a recipe for disaster when it comes to cost.
Henderson said that if you’re willing to take your family vacation during Thanksgiving week or even during Christmas week to travel internationally, there are some extraordinary deals if you’re willing to leave the country.
“It’s just domestic fares that we’re really seeing the spike,” he said. “And remember, the U.S. dollar is so super strong right now that Europe is on sale and places where the U.S. dollar is really strong, like Turkey, Colombia, are really cheap.”
“Generally, prices will be lower if you are willing to travel on Thanksgiving Day or on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and you’re going to get a better deal,” said Clint Henderson, managing editor at The Points Guy. Bloomberg via Getty Images
If you think those travel hacks like trying to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday will spare your holiday budget, Henderson said that is no longer true.
Generally, Henderson said, prices will be lower if you are willing to travel on Thanksgiving Day or on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, and you’re going to get a better deal. Even that hack isn’t working as well as it used to, he said.
“My recommendation to people is if you’re still waiting to book your trips, set a Google alert, monitor it for a couple of days, and if you don’t see the price drop in the next couple of days, if you see it start to go up, then jump on that fare,” Henderson said.
If you aren’t too fond of your in-laws, you could just wait until the last minute and tell your significant other that It’s too expensive for a visit this year. However, that might not sit well on the family reunion next year.
Air travel hacks to use ahead of the holiday season
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer