Why you need to book a holiday now

If you want to save money on your vacation, money expert Clark Howard says you need to act fast.

First, Clark says you should know this good news about travel. This upcoming holiday season is expected to be much better than expected, with not as many delays and cancellations as have plagued the airline industry this winter.

Not only are airlines reducing their flight schedules to keep things running smoothly, fares are starting to come down after the peak summer season.

Holiday travel 2022: what to expect

As a result, Clark has high hopes for a cheap trip later this year.

“I want you to know, fall is better on all fronts,” Clark said. “Many reasons for flight delays and cancellations are not available.”

When is the best time to book a vacation?

Clark advises you Vacation now.

“This is an issue that I don’t think is worth delaying,” he said. Because airlines reduce their flight schedules in the fall, low-cost tickets will be available earlier — not later. That’s why procrastination is important.

How to save when booking travel later this year

Clark said he has been analyzing prices in the fall and beyond to get an idea of ​​how airline tickets are looking for the holidays. Here is his process.

Research flights with calendar maps

Some travel sites use calendar maps that show how fares change throughout the month. One of Clark’s favorites is Google Flights and you can use the site. Date grid (image below) To see the prices in a certain period. Since Google Flights does not include Southwest Airlines fares, you can also check Southwest’s low fare calendar.

“You bring out a calendar for November and December, and you look and see what the rates are day by day,” Clark says.

Read our guide on how to use Google Flights to save on travel.

Avoid these 4 days when booking a holiday

For your wallet, there are four days of Thanksgiving when you don’t want to travel, Clark says.

“What are those four days of Thanksgiving? of Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving,” he says. “Those four days are historically the highest traffic days of the year, and airfares in turn reflect that. “

Final thoughts

If you’re trying to snag cheap flights for the holidays, Clark says you shouldn’t delay booking your ticket.

Check your rates before you buy to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

And be flexible with your itinerary if you can. “Unless you fall outside of the four most expensive calendar days of the year, you don’t have to sell a family member to buy the ticket,” Clark said.

Want more travel tips? Read Clark’s guide to planning a money-saving trip.