As you nail down your travel itinerary, it doesn’t hurt to fly earlier in the week, either. Jet-setting on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday can be 13% more costly for domestic flights and a whopping 20% more expensive for international flights.
So, if you’re able, departing on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday may save you a nice chunk of change.
You should keep various airports in mind, too. Of course, it’d be nice to arrive at an airport located mere minutes from your hotel, Airbnb, or relative’s home.
However, if you’re looking to make your travel more affordable, another airport farther away from your destination may have more budget-friendly flight options.
Compare different flights arriving at a few airports near your destination and weigh whether the longer travel day (possibly involving a less direct flight or a ride on a train or shuttle) would be worth it for the cash savings.
Finally, before you pull the trigger on a plane ticket, you might want to select a refundable option.
This will allow you to lock down a seat and have the peace of mind that you’re making it to your holiday celebration this year.
At the same time, you can continue monitoring other flight prices and rebook if you find a better rate.
Just be sure to review your airline’s refund policies carefully so you aren’t hit with any surprises later.
