• Introduction
• 1. Factor New Airline Fees into Travel Costs
• 2. Monitor Your Route for Best Fares
• 3. Don’t Hold Out for Last-Minute Deals
• 4. Be Flexible: Avoid Peak Travel Days
• 5. Book a Flight & Hotel Package for Overall Value
• 6. Fly on the Holiday Itself
• 7. Consider Alternate Airports
• 8. Shop Around on Many Sites, Including Airlines’
• 9. Be Prepared to Layover to Cut Costs
• 10. Get Grounded: Look into Trains, Buses & Cars

Be Prepared to Layover to Cut Costs

Airlines’ recent route cutbacks mean quite simply that there are fewer non-stop flights out there right now, leaving those that do remain in higher demand – and therefore, pricier. If you come across a reasonable non-stop flight, we highly recommend booking it on the spot – the peace of mind and ease of travel alone may be worth a slightly higher price tag. But it’s more likely that booking an itinerary that includes a layover will be the real money-saver, in which case you’ll need to be conscientious of booking wisely. Always allow for sufficient time during the connection, particularly during the busy holiday season when delays are expected and winter weather is a factor – we recommend a minimum of 2 hours. Also, attempt to use the same airline for both legs of the journey, so that their personnel will be more likely to assist you in the event of a botched connection. Finally, avoid delay-prone airports if at all possible – those in the NYC area and Chicago’s O’Hare are among the worst culprits. Being stranded at the airport is certainly no way to spend your Christmas (and how would Santa ever know where to find you?!)

See United States Travel Guide