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If you haven’t booked your travel plans for the 2022 holidays, do so as soon as possible, say industry experts.
“Despite the chaos and cancellations this summer from nearly every major airline, now is still the best time to book a flight for the upcoming vacation season,” Phil Dengler, co-founder of travel website The Vacationer, told FOX Business.
According to Dengler, the best time to book vacation travel is June and July, though it’s not too late to get a deal before prices go up. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing a nonstop early morning flight, Dengler said.
Travelers line up at a checkpoint in the main terminal of Denver International Airport, Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File/AP Newsroom)
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“Early morning flights are much less likely to be canceled than afternoon or evening flights,” Dengler explained. “Having an itinerary with one or more connections also increases your likelihood of a cancellation or delay, so I always recommend booking non-stop flights.”
Booking early will also give you the chance to “save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars,” according to Dengler.
Clint Henderson, managing editor of travel website The Points Guy, agreed, saying consumers should already set Google Flight Tracker’s price alerts for fall and holiday travel.
“Prices have fallen by a quarter on infighting since peak summer prices according to travel booking website Hopper. The longer you wait to book those Christmas trips, the more you’re likely to pay a lot,” Henderson said.
Security checkpoint in the main terminal of Denver International Airport on August 24, 2021. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski/AP Newsroom)
However, with prices still elevated, Henderson recommends cashing in travel points that have been saved during the coronavirus pandemic.
For Thanksgiving, in particular, consumers should aim to book by late August or early September at the latest. After Halloween, prices will “go up significantly,” according to Dengler.
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Starting Nov. 1, travelers should expect fares to rise 40% to an average of $400 for a round trip, Dengler added. During the week of Thanksgiving, consumers should expect an additional 25% increase, pushing prices to about $500 on average for a round trip.
Meanwhile, he estimates last-minute international fares booked during the week of Thanksgiving will average about $820, a 32% increase from before the price hike.
Travelers move through a security checkpoint in the main terminal of Denver International Airport, Thursday, May 26, 2022. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File/AP Images)
For Christmas, the best time to book is anytime before the big turkey party. However, consumers should aim to lock in charges by late August and early September.
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The best deals for domestic and international Christmas travel are around mid-September, which is roughly 90-100 days ahead. Dengler projects fares will rise 7% to $460 on average for a round trip two weeks before Christmas. During the Christmas holiday week, fares will increase by a further 11% to an average of $510 for a round trip
| TICKER | Safety | The last | CHANGING | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAL | AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC. | 14.17 | -0.67 | -4.51% |
| sprout | DELTA AIR LINES INC. | 33.25 | -1.24 | -3.60% |
| LUV | SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO. | 37,88 | -1.10 | -2.82% |
| UAL | UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS INC. | 37.50 | -1.56 | -3.99% |
International travel prices will begin to rise significantly around Thanksgiving, “so travelers should aim to book Christmas flights no later than Thanksgiving to avoid the biggest price increases,” he noted.
Airfare is estimated to increase by 23% throughout December.
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However, according to Henderson, consumers shouldn’t rush to book a hotel just yet.
“If you’re going to need a hotel, you can probably wait a little while to book them as prices remain high in the hotel space at the moment,” he added.