SEATTLE - Here are tips on booking air fares for the winter holidays from Farecast.com, which uses past air fare data to predict future air fare patterns.
If you're booking for Thanksgiving (Nov. 22), flexibility with return dates can yield some good deals.
Travelers who extend their trip past Thanksgiving weekend to return on Monday or Tuesday can save $60 to $100 per ticket, according to Farecast.com.
For December holiday travel, flexibility with your date of departure is the key to saving money.
In addition, avoiding the popular Friday or Saturday Christmas departure dates - Dec. 21 and 22 - could save you more than $90 per ticket, Farecast.com said in its analysis.
Avoiding a return flight on New Year's Eve could also save $25 on average.
As for when to buy your ticket, Farecast.com said many Christmas itineraries experienced price drops in the past on Oct. 1, 14 and 15.
But expect to pay more than last year. Farecast.com said fares are running 3 percent to 7 percent higher than in 2006.
Farecast.com's 'Holiday Predictions' utilized historical prices for 2,000 popular routes focusing on Christmas and Thanksgiving trips lasting between two and eight days.
You can sign up for e-mail alerts or get free air fare predictions for your holiday travel at Farecast.com.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement
Advertisement