Quantcast
Explore Japan for free? Japan Airlines offers free domestic flights to foreign travelers
Delta named Official Airline Partner of Birmingham City Football Club
American Airlines to Cut These Routes to Las Vegas, Orlando, and More — Here's Why
Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, expanding benefits and choice for travelers
Southwest wouldn't really start charging for bags — right?
JD Power ranked this Midwest airport as the best among largest airports in North America
Air Canada could begin suspending flights soon as strike deadline nears
JetBlue's new ticket policy entitles every passenger to a carry-on bag
Why United Airlines’ CEO makes as few decisions as possible
American invests in the future of aviation maintenance with new jobs, additional work
DOT probe seeks to determine if frequent flyer programs are fair to travelers
American Airlines flight diverted after passenger starts vaping
Russian Airline Wants $100 Million From Canada for Seizing Its Giant Cargo Plane
Here's where American Airlines is adding flights to Europe in summer 2025
Major airline grounds Airbus A350 fleet, citing faulty engine component
Airline CEO wants airports to cap passengers at 2 alcoholic drinks to limit on-board disruptions
Regulator cuts Malaysia Airlines' air operator certificate duration after probe
United Airlines flight attendants are prepared to strike. Here's why it's still unlikely.
2 workers killed, 1 injured in tire explosion at a Delta Air Lines shop in Atlanta
Emirates Will Buy 5 Airbus A380s From Lessor For $200 Million
Delta Air Lines named official airline of the WNBA
Pair Of C-Suite Officials Depart Wheels Up
LAX Receives Final Cars for People Mover Train
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger clears Justice Department hurdle, now faces DOT
Alaska Airlines flight attendants reject new contract, union says there's 'more work to do'
Elliott Investment To Push For 10 New Boardroom Directors At Southwest Airlines
Alaska Air Backs JetZero Blended-Wing Design
AI in Aviation Line Maintenance: A Strategic Response to Delays, Satisfaction, and Staffing Challenges
Air taxi service plans for 2026 Los Angeles launch at USC, SoFi and LAX
VistaJet Flight Brings Home Americans in Prisoner Swap

Seven mistakes travelers should avoid when booking 2024 holiday flights

Research
Webp n1qx7d1fpm4lan1kb1v40dkq0dhw
Tarah Chieffi Senior writer | The Points Guy

With the holiday season approaching, now is an ideal time to book flights to avoid premium prices. According to a Google Flights forecast, Thanksgiving flights should be booked by early October, and Christmas and New Year's flights by late October. However, timing is just one of several factors that can impact travel costs and experiences.

Flexibility in travel plans can lead to significant savings. "Being inflexible with travel plans keeps you from being able to take advantage of the lowest possible airfare," notes Sean Cudahy from The Points Guy. For example, changing departure or return dates and considering different airports can reduce costs significantly.

Avoiding peak travel days is another strategy to consider. The Transportation Security Administration reported record passenger volumes during past holidays, particularly on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. To save money, travelers are advised by booking app Hopper to fly on less busy days like the Monday before Thanksgiving or on Black Friday.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

For those not ready to finalize their plans, setting airfare alerts can prevent missing out on price drops. Google Flights offers a "Track prices" function that notifies users of any changes in flight costs.

Using the right credit card for bookings is crucial as well. Some cards offer rewards for travel purchases or include travel insurance benefits that cover trip cancellations or interruptions.

Travelers should also be cautious about using too many miles or points for holiday trips. Dynamic pricing models can lead to spending more points than necessary, potentially leaving travelers with fewer resources for future vacations.

Packing efficiently can help avoid extra charges during the holiday season when costs tend to rise. It's advisable to be mindful of luggage weight limits and fees associated with budget airlines' baggage policies.

Finally, making reservations that allow for changes or cancellations without penalties is essential in unpredictable times. Many airlines offer full trip credits even for nonrefundable tickets if canceled in advance, but basic economy tickets may have stricter rules.

###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

American Airlines experienced a temporary grounding of all flights on Christmas Eve due to a "technical issue," as reported by the BBC.

Dec 24, 2024

The United States Air Force is advancing its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, aiming to develop the first sixth-generation fighter jet.

Dec 24, 2024

Airlines worldwide are gearing up to offer free WiFi services to their passengers in 2025.

Dec 24, 2024

Supersonic combustion propels hypersonic scramjets, enabling them to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5.

Dec 24, 2024

United Airlines is set to resume a regional connection between Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and Chicago using Bombardier jets operated by SkyWest Airlines.

Dec 24, 2024

Delta Air Lines operates some of its longest Airbus A319 routes from Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, connecting to destinations such as Mexico City, Tulum, San Jose, Vancouver, and Harlingen.

Dec 24, 2024