How to Find Affordable Airfare During the Holidays

Travelling during the holidays can be hectic and expensive, especially when it comes to getting affordable airfare. Due to the high demand for travel during this time, airlines frequently raise their prices. Additionally, holidays like Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve tend to have higher flight costs.

Don’t wait any longer to make your holiday travel arrangements if you’ve been putting it off. Airfares are at some of the highest points they’ve been in years, due to high demand and, of course, a high currency exchange rate. If you’re planning to travel for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, you should ultimately take action sooner rather than later. However, make sure you are aware of the best tips and tricks before making any choices to avoid being forced to pay a hefty price for travel during the holidays.

There are ways to book more affordable flights, whether you’re planning a trip across the country, the continent, or even the globe. We’ve put together a list of the best ways to find affordable airfare during the holidays—here’s what you need to know.

Book your flights in advance

If you want to save money and guarantee your desired flight itinerary, it is a good idea to book your flights in advance.  It’s a good idea to book your flights as far in advance as you can because airfare usually rises as the departure date draws near.

Booking in advance often results in lower prices and a wider range of flight options. Booking ahead of time can also help ensure that you get the flight you want if you have a specific date and time in mind for your trip.

Be on the lookout for flight deals and special offers

Travel agents, companies, and airlines often offer discounts and special deals on flights, so make sure to check their websites regularly to see if you can find a good deal. When the cost of the flights you want drops below a certain level, many airlines and travel websites offer email alerts that can let you know.

This can be a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest deals and promotions. TravelTank also offers a wide range of special offers during the holidays, and you can sign up for our email alerts to get the best flight deals for your next holiday.

You can also search and compare airfares from multiple airlines using our flight search tool. With this, you can easily find the cheapest flights to your desired destination.

Be flexible with your travel dates

Yes, we understand that it’s the holiday season and you may not have the option of changing your dates. But bear in mind that flights around the holidays can be some of the biggest travel expenses of the year.

Thus, being flexible with your travel dates during the holidays can be a great way to save money on flights. During the holiday season, many people have specific travel dates in mind, which can lead to higher demand and prices for flights.

By being open to travelling on different days, you may be able to find lower prices and avoid crowds. Consider travelling off-peak hours as well, such as early in the morning or late at night, as these flights are frequently less expensive. 

In fact, departing on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve results in the most affordable flights, according to Hipmunk’s historical data. With 68% of travellers booking flights leaving between December 21 and 23, people prefer to leave earlier. Regarding departure dates, all four of the days after Christmas are fairly busy. 

The most affordable itineraries (that aren’t extremely brief trips) are typically December 24-28 or December 25-29. The itineraries that cover the entire week leading up to Christmas, such as Dec. 21–29, are the most expensive.

Finally, consider searching for flights to and from alternate airports, as this can also help you find the best deals. You can choose to fly out of Lagos or Abuja, both of which have several international airports. Therefore, when looking for flights, it’s a good idea to also see if your destination has a secondary airport that serves the region. Many times, flying from a secondary airport to those smaller airports can be less expensive than flying into the main airport serving the destination. 

Put your points and miles to use

Using flight miles and points can help you save money on flights, which is one of their biggest benefits. By accumulating and redeeming points and miles, you can frequently find flight deals or even book free flights. So, this is the best time to use those airline points and miles you have been saving up. As a result, you should be aware of your balance and consider how it might help you cut your travel expenses.

Free air travel seems like a fantastic way to significantly cut costs on your holiday trips! Similarly, you can avoid some airline fees by using your points and miles. Some airlines charge extra for services like seat selection and checked baggage. 

However, you might be able to avoid these fees if you have a certain number of points or miles. 

The bottom line

You can play with your travel dates using our flight search tool. Flying on days with less demand could save you money if you have the freedom to work from home or take off around the holidays. Overall, the key to finding affordable airfare during the holiday season is to be flexible, plan ahead, and keep an eye out for deals and discounts.