While we’re all still dealing with what’s shaping up to be a chaotic summer in the travel industry, it’s already time to start thinking about the 2024 holiday season.
You may not be able to make a bucket list trip and involve the whole family like you did last year. Maybe a new holiday tradition is going to a German Christmas market (with a strong dollar and Europe becoming…a budget destination?) or watching the ball drop in Times Square. You may end up doing so.
If you’re planning a vacation trip, now is a good time to start researching and booking flights, rental cars, and hotels. You may want to keep these tips for booking vacation travel in mind, especially if you haven’t traveled much this year.
1. Book early before prices go up
If you don’t mind waiting to make a reservation, you can find last-minute deals on hotels and car rentals. However, this move is risky, as inventory may not be available by the time you start your search.
Domestic airfares are higher during Christmas week than they have been for the past five years, according to data from travel app Hopper. The cheapest time to buy these tickets is until October 20th, but travelers should book by at least Thanksgiving to avoid the highest prices.
Similarly, flights during Thanksgiving week will be cheaper if you book by the same day (October 20th). Hopper expects airline ticket prices to rise by an average of $10 a day from early November through Thanksgiving.
2. Save money by flying on holiday
To get the best deals, consider traveling during the holidays. Flying on Christmas Day means you’ll be celebrating Christmas before and after, but you’ll often find more seats available and lower costs, as well as the busiest days to fly around Thanksgiving.
If you don’t feel like traveling on the holiday itself, avoid peak travel days to minimize the chance of delays impacting your trip and time with friends and family. Keep this timing in mind for your return flight as well. Hopper recommends flying a few days in advance and returning home the following week, but no later than New Year’s Eve. That could save you money on airfare.
To avoid delays and cancellations, book an early morning flight. You’ll be less likely to be affected by delays to other flights throughout the day. Plus, if your flight is canceled, you’ll likely be able to get to your final destination the same day.
3. Redeem points for flights and hotel stays
If you’re considering price and thinking about using points instead, some of the same strategies for finding cheap cash rates apply.
Loyalty programs like Southwest Airlines use dynamic reward pricing systems, so you may be able to save points by booking early or traveling on low-demand days. If the cash price is lower, you will need fewer points or miles.
Unfortunately, if you don’t have enough points to make a reservation, it’s too late to open a new credit card and earn your welcome bonus in time. Many cards have a three-month period before you get the welcome bonus, and it can take up to another eight weeks for the bonus points to be credited to your account.
However, it is possible to open a travel credit card and book a trip. Airfare and lodging costs can be a significant portion of your minimum spend to qualify for the welcome bonus.
4. Check cancellation and change policies
As the general health situation remains unpredictable, it is worth checking the change and cancellation policy before booking.
Several major U.S.-based airlines have eliminated change and cancellation fees on most fares except for basic economy tickets.
Third-party airfare aggregators like Expedia and Travelocity are a great way to view flights with multiple airlines, but you’ll often have better protections and access to customer service if you book directly with the airline. No matter where you book, be sure to keep an eye on when you’ll receive a refund or credit if you or the airline cancel.
You may also consider purchasing travel insurance, but read the fine print carefully as many policies may not cover COVID-related issues. Many credit cards offer limited travel protection, so be sure to understand the benefits of the card you use to book your tickets.
Buying expensive travel insurance typically costs 4-8% of the total estimated trip cost, but it’s smart money and one of our favorite holiday travel safety tips. there is.
5. Prepare travel benefits for the holiday season
As the holiday season approaches, you’ll be glad you took advantage of all the perks available and earned them in advance.
If you’re traveling this year and are close to earning elite status or a Southwest Companion Pass, think about how you can plan a fall trip to earn these benefits ahead of the busy months. It may be easier to earn money than you think. Hotels and airlines continue to lower requirements for elite status this year. Simply moving the mattress slightly may be enough.
Elite status benefits not only apply as soon as you earn them, but they’re valid until the end of next year, giving you more time to use them.
Planning a vacation trip in 2024?
If there’s only one tip for booking your vacation, it’s that the earlier, the better. You’ll find lower rates and more availability. Plus, relaxed cancellation policies mean you can adjust later.
How to maximize your rewards
You need a travel credit card that prioritizes the things that matter to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards for 2024.
