10 Best Ways To Discover Affordable Holiday Flights

In most cases, people prefer traveling over Christmas or Thanksgiving rather than at other times of the winter. Everyone can appreciate a good deal, but unfortunately, airlines are typically booked and have to charge higher prices for seats at these times of the year due to the increased demand for flights.

However, it’s still possible to get an affordable seat on a plane. Take a look at these ten ways to help you find cheap Christmas flights so that you and your family can make more memories together on your next holiday vacation:

1. Flexibility is the Key to Affordable Flying

Finding cheap flights requires being flexible and open to traveling on days you might not consider otherwise. If you aren’t willing to do this, you might have difficulty getting a cheap seat.

The costliest time to take a flight is when everybody else is traveling. You may want to rethink your plans to fly on December 21st and 22nd and return on December 31st at midday. Instead, fly several days earlier, particularly on the outbound, and return one day later. The prices will be as low as 50% on these days. If you’re willing, you can push the dates even further.

2. Identify the Best Time to Fly

You’ll also need to be flexible when you choose to depart. Everybody may be planning to leave when school closes, or after work, so you might want to avoid a time you’d typically prioritize. Also, remember that the most expensive times to take a flight are peak travel hours, such as 5 pm-7 pm or 8 am-10 am. Cheaper seats are primarily available during early morning hours, such as 5 am-7 am, noon,, or late evening (past 8 pm).

3. Investigate Alternate Airport Options

Make sure that your flexibility stretches to airports, too. For instance, instead of flying out or into the beautiful city of Miami when traveling to South Florida, consider Fort Lauderdale Airport, which is located 25 miles north. Using an airport you wouldn’t normally consider can be cheaper than using one of the major airports.

4. Steer Clear of Basic Economy Fares and Low-Cost Carriers

When conducting a flight search, avoid going for the lowest fare, particularly from a low-cost carrier, as you may eventually spend more than you expected. To avoid extra charges, look at your fare’s fine print before purchasing a ticket, regardless of whether it is a low-cost carrier or a mainline carrier.

5. If You are Checking Bags, Use Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines was the first low-cost carrier (LCC). Hence, it is ironic that they are the only carriers not charging a fee for checked bags. They offer both the first and second bag free of charge, unlike most carriers that would charge $120 extra, especially for a roundtrip ticket. If you are planning to check bags but you lack elite status or an airline-branded credit card where one of the benefits is free baggage, Southwest Airlines might be a good option for you.

6. Register for Fare Alerts

If you struggle to check airfares regularly, signing up for airfare alerts is the way to go. Most services, including Hopper, Kayak, and Google, provide this service for free.

7. Hold Your Fares for 24 Hours

Bear in mind that the Department of Transportation, or DOT, stipulates that all United States and foreign air carriers ought to give consumers the ability to reserve their seats for free at the stated fare for a maximum of 24 hours or even allow the cancellation of the ticket within the same duration without any fine.

Keep in mind that this rule is inapplicable if you book an air ticket less than a week before your travel date. Also, note that American Airlines is the only carrier that allows customers to hold their reservations for 24 hours without a credit card.

8. Take Advantage of Credit Card Points or Regular Flier Miles

Using your frequent flier miles during holidays can be virtually impossible unless you are willing to utilize double or even triple the regular amount or are flexible with travel dates. Use credit card points if you do not intend to reduce your trip’s stay.

9. Seeking Consultation From a Travel Agent

Although bargain hunting is time-consuming, it can be lucrative, especially when traveling with several other individuals. Generally, a travel agent’s fee is at least $25.

10. Hidden City Trick

This technique can give you considerable discounts on airfare. It entails booking a plane past your target place, with your desired destination as a stopover on the route. Direct route flights charge a higher fee for their tickets.

Ultimately, the best thing to do, especially when traveling with little ones, is to plan.  Planning and strategically choosing your destination and time of travel will be the most significant factor in snagging affordable flights.  While it isn’t always the best way to go, flying on the actual holiday can give you perks not typically available on regular flights (like free food and beverages).   With all this in mind, you can make holiday travel fun and get to your destination so you can start making memorable moments with friends and family at an affordable price.