When to Book 2024 Holiday Flights, According to Google Flights  

First, some good news: If you haven’t finalized your 2024 holiday travel plans yet, you’ve still got time to score an affordable flight. Now, the bad news: The window for booking Thanksgiving or Christmas airfare at a reasonable price is closing fast.

That’s according to a new report from Google Flights.  The company’s 2024 Travel Trends report, which pulls four years of flight data from the top 4,000 U.S. markets, shares when to book holiday flights to land the lowest prices. 

Ahead, we’ve shared key takeaways from Google’s findings. 

When to Book Thanksgiving Flights 

We’ll be straight with you: It’s a little late to find a deal on Thanksgiving airfare. Average prices for domestic Thanksgiving flights are typically lowest in Early October. 

The window for the best prices on Thanksgiving flights within the U.S. is 26 to 59 days from departure, with prices hitting their lowest around 45 days before departure, according to Google Flights. This would make late September through the first days of November the best time to book Thanksgiving airfare. 

Did you miss the booking window? Don’t worry, there are other ways to save on holiday travel. (More on that, later.) 

 When to Book Christmas Flights 

You have a little more wiggle room when booking Christmas flights. The window for the best prices on Christmas flights within the U.S. is 36 to 72 days from departure, with prices hitting their lowest point around 58 days before departure. This would make the end of October through mid-November the best time to book Christmas airfare. 

 When to Book International Flights

You might be surprised — and pleased — to learn that the holiday season is a great time to land international airfare deals. With so many people traveling domestically, you may find that flights to far-flung destinations cost the same or less than flights to U.S. locations. 

That said, you should generally try to book international flights as soon as possible. Low prices start around 101 days before departure, but you can land reasonable prices up to 50 days before your flight, according to Google Flights. 

Another thing to keep in mind? The best time to book might vary depending on your destination. Flights to Europe from the U.S. tend to be cheapest 94 days before departure, while trips to Mexico or the Caribbean are lowest 44 days before departure, finds Google Flights data.  

Tips for Saving on 2024 Holiday Travel 

Booking at the right time matters, but it’s not the only way to save on holiday travel. Ahead, we’ve shared additional  strategies to help you save on holiday travel in 2024:

1. Travel on Weekdays

Travel midweek, rather than on weekends, to land better rates and avoid crowds. Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday departures tend to be around 13% cheaper than over a weekend, according to Google Flights. 

2. Consider Flights with Layovers

Booking a flight with a layover can be 25% cheaper than booking a nonstop flight, according to Google Flight data. Still, it’s important to keep in mind layovers can generate extra hassle and travel time, and you run the risk of missing your connection due to inclement winter weather. 

3. Include Nearby Airports in Your Search 

Consider including nearby airports in your search for holiday flights. For example, you may land a better deal flying out of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport than the Austin–Bergstrom International Airport. Many major flight search engines — Google Flights included — give you an option to add additional airports to your search. 

4. Set Price Alerts 

Setting price alerts is a smart way to keep tabs on airfare deals without having constantly check prices yourself. Google Flights — along with platforms like Expedia,  Skyscanner and Hopper — let you to set alerts for specific routes. When the price drops significantly, you’ll receive an email or app notification so you can snatch up the fare at its lowest.

5. Use Points or Miles

Using credit card points or miles for holiday travel can be a fantastic way to save money. However, it’s critical to book early — the availability of award flights during the holidays can be limited. Your best bet is to try to book with points/miles on weekdays and other less popular travel periods. Not only will you find more availability, but booking during off-peak days and times will typically eat up fewer points and avoid holiday surcharges.

Pro tip: Some airlines let you book award tickets on partner airlines, sometimes giving you access to additional seats and potentially lower point costs. Check with your airline loyalty program for details.

6. Take Advantage of Cash Back Offers

Be sure to visit the RetailMeNot page for the airline or travel booking site you will be using to check for any cash back opportunities. You can basically get free spending money to use on future purchases, if you take advantage of our cash back offers.

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