Farecast Says: Holiday Airfares Going Up This Year

Airfares for the holidays are up over 30% percent from 2007. Travelers could be spending upwards of $100 more per ticket than last year. So it is important to keep these tips in mind:

• Be flexible with your travel dates. If you have flexibility you will be rewarded with big savings. Returning on Monday or Tuesday versus Sunday may save you more than $90 per ticket.


• Watch October for holiday price drops. Most previous late December itineraries saw price drops in the first two weeks of October. Farecast data suggest there are 50% more price drops during the holidays than other times of the year, so alerts are critical to catch elusive deals.


• If you're traveling from a big market you should wait. Major markets are much more likely to see price drops this Fall, and you should closely monitor for lower fares before purchasing. If you're flying out of smaller/regional airports, you should buy as soon as you find a fare you're comfortable in.

You will pay more this year. Unless you find the deal of the season, you will pay more for holiday flights than in years past. You should accept this and not hold out for a lower fare. It likely won't come, and the cost will just continue to rise.

Check Farecast for more airfare predictions >