Whether you\u2019re planning an international vacation or taking the kids to see their grandparents, here\u2019s how to book the best possible trip<\/h2>\n
by Nicole Dieker<\/a><\/p>\n October 30, 2023\u00a0\u00a0|\u00a0\u00a0 Money<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n The holidays are nearly upon us, which means it might be time to start thinking about travel (if you haven\u2019t made plans already). By booking your flights and hotel stays as early as possible, you have the best chance of locking in the best deals.<\/p>\n Flexibility also helps, especially if you have the privilege of choosing not only your travel dates but also your holiday travel destination. If you already know that you can only fly on certain dates or are only planning to travel to a single location \u2014 Grandma\u2019s house, for example \u2014 every day you delay your travel planning could cost you money.<\/p>\n Luckily, we\u2019ve got some expert advice to help you find the best flights and plan the best trip. We asked Gunnar Olson, Flight Deal Analyst at Thrifty Traveler<\/a>, how busy families can save money on holiday travel. He shared his thoughts on when to book, which apps to use and what to do if you don\u2019t have a lot of flexibility in your travel plans.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Flights and hotel rooms fill up quickly \u2014 which is why the best way to save money on holiday travel is by making your plans as soon as possible. No matter when you\u2019re reading this article, the best time to book your holiday travel is now<\/em>.<\/p>\n As you make your plans, keep in mind that certain types of decisions could save you money when things go wrong. Olson suggests looking for early-morning flights<\/a>, for example \u2014 which could help you avoid delays or cancellations, and prevent you from spending extra cash on unexpected airport meals or a last-minute motel.<\/p>\n He also advises holiday travelers to be flexible about their travel dates.<\/p>\n \u201cIn order to get the best deal, adjust your dates a few days here or there,\u201d says Olson. \u201cFlying home the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving instead of Sunday can save you hundreds, not to mention the headaches of flying on the busiest travel day of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to know more? Here\u2019s a guide on the best and worst times to fly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n You might also like<\/p>\n Life insurance is a financial safety net for your partner, your kids, your life…<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n According to the Thrifty Traveler, the best time to book flights for Thanksgiving 2023<\/a> is between October 2 and October 19 \u2014 which means that you may have already missed the biggest money-saving window.<\/p>\n That said, people who are willing to book right away may still be able to find affordable flights.<\/p>\n \u201cThe first thing I\u2019d recommend for travelers who missed the ideal Thanksgiving window is to book ASAP,\u201d says Olson. \u201cPrices won\u2019t likely go down.\u201d<\/p>\n The same goes for any December or January travel you might be planning. Make your booking as quickly as you can, and don\u2019t assume that the fares you see today will be available tomorrow.<\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t able to book right away, you may need to prepare to spend a little more on your trip. Olson suggests using credit card rewards<\/a> like points or miles to cover some of the cost, and families with good credit may want to consider opening a new credit card<\/a> to take advantage of a sign-up bonus that could help them save money on flights.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re stuck in a situation like this, it\u2019s time to empty your toolbelt,\u201d Olson told us. \u201cIf you have points and miles, consider using them.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to know more? Here\u2019s some expert advice on saving money on winter travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are a lot of money-saving apps<\/a> out there \u2014 but if you\u2019re booking flights, Olson recommends using apps that allow you to book directly with the airline.<\/p>\n \u201cBooking directly with the airline, especially around the holidays when flight disruptions are common, is crucial,\u201d Olson says. \u201cIf something goes wrong with your flight, you don\u2019t want to work with a middleman to get your refund or changes!\u201d<\/p>\n With that in mind, Olson suggests using Google Flights<\/a> \u2014 which not only allows you to make direct bookings, but also offers price tracking and alerts that can help you book the best fares.<\/p>\n \u201cIn our experience, Google Flights price alerts are your best shot at tracking exact fares,\u201d says Olson. \u201cOther sites, like Kayak, can give you some insight into the best time to book, but we always recommend Google Flights because Google Flights allows you to book directly with the airline.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to know more? Here\u2019s a complete guide to using Google Flights<\/a> to book your airline tickets.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n You might also like<\/p>\n You budget online. You invest online. Why not apply for your life insurance online?<\/p>\n Read more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n One of Olson\u2019s favorite pieces of travel advice is to find a low-cost flight<\/a> and book the rest of your trip around it. This could mean choosing a different travel destination than you were originally planning \u2014 taking your family to a ski resort instead of a beach resort, for example, or picking Walt Disney World instead of Disneyland.<\/p>\n That said, many holiday travelers have a single destination in mind \u2014 and a limited range of time in which to travel. College students coming home for winter break, for example, may be limited to a specific airport on a specific date. Families taking the kids to visit the grandparents may have to time their trip around school vacations and PTO.<\/p>\n Luckily, Olson has one last piece of money-saving advice.<\/p>\n \u201cFor less flexible travelers, my recommendation is to be flexible where you can,\u201d says Olson. \u201cBooking one day earlier or later can make a massive difference in price. If the college kids can spend one more night in the dorm before heading home, the savings could be enormous. Same goes for family travelers heading to Grandma\u2019s. I\u2019m sure Grandma would love to welcome you a day early or have you stick around one day later! Otherwise, activate that travel toolbelt once again: use your points and miles or look into other travel options.\u201d<\/p>\n Want to know more? Here\u2019s how Haven Life Plus<\/a> can make holiday travel less hard<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Haven Life is a customer-centric life insurance agency that\u2019s backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe navigating decisions about life insurance, your personal finances and overall wellness can be refreshingly simple.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Haven Life is a customer centric life insurance agency that\u2019s backed and wholly owned by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). We believe navigating decisions about life insurance, your personal finances and overall wellness can be refreshingly simple.<\/p>\n Our content is created for educational purposes only. Haven Life does not endorse the companies, products, services or strategies discussed here, but we hope they can make your life a little less hard if they are a fit for your situation.<\/p>\n Haven Life is not authorized to give tax, legal or investment advice. This material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or investment advice. Individuals are encouraged to seed advice from their own tax or legal counsel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ![\"Back](\"https:\/\/blog.havenlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/save-on-holiday-travel.png.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\nIn this article:<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
Make your plans as soon as possible<\/h2>\n
![\"dad](\"https:\/\/blog.havenlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Is-term-life-insurance-worth-it_.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/a><\/div>\nDon\u2019t wait for prices to go down<\/h2>\n
Use apps that allow you to book directly with the airline<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.havenlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Your-guide-to-buying-affordable-term-life-insurance-online.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/a><\/div>\nBe flexible where you can<\/h2>\n
Our editorial policy<\/h3>\n
Our editorial policy<\/h3>\n