Top 10 Tips for Booking Holiday Flights

• Introduction
• 1. Expect (and Accept) To Pay More This Year
• 2. Book Now: Last Minute Fares Won’t Happen
• 3. Be Flexible: Avoid Peak Travel Days
• 4. Fly on the Holiday Itself
• 5. Consider Alternate Airports
• 6. Factor New Airline Fees into Travel Costs
• 7. Shop Around on Many Sites, Including Airlines’
• 8. Be Prepared to Layover to Cut Costs
• 9. Book a Flight & Hotel Package for Overall Value
• 10. Get Grounded: Look into Trains, Buses & Cars

The holidays are just around the corner, and if you're anything like us, you’re probably hoping you won’t have to pay an arm and a turkey leg to get home to celebrate. Indeed, there's good reason to say "bah humbug" this holiday season, as the current economic crisis hit the airlines even earlier this year (thanks to rising fuel costs), and their response — hiking ticket prices, adding new in-flight fees, and cutting the number of flights servicing various routes — pretty much guarantees we'll pay more for our holiday trip than we're all used to this year. But there is some good news: While you'll need something of a miracle to find a decent Thanksgiving deal this late in the game (Tip: Our editors found some great deals by comparing rates online), our money-saving tips for booking holiday flights will definitely help you get away for less than you'd expect over the December holidays. Here's to a merry money-saving holiday!

See United States Travel Guide