How To Save Money On Holiday Travel In 2024

Photo by Jermaine Ulinwa: Pexels

Traveling for less can be difficult after holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day. For 2024, you can keep a lot of your travel money, if you know how to do it.

This article will show you how to save money on travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas if you’re an apprehensive traveler. Here’s what you need to know about flying this holiday season.

How To Save Money On Travel This Year

For the fall, there have been some good sales, especially with Southwest Airlines, so you can save money if you want to. The real issue is whether you’re ready to risk it all to fly to a vacation destination or home for the holidays.

If you want to know what safety measures airlines have put in place, here’s what to know:

Typically, you may be asked to quarantine from 10 to 14 days, so you’d better have some vacation days to spare.

How To Save On Holiday Travel

Let’s talk about some ways you can save on holiday travel. Always check Southwest’s Fare Calendar for days with cheaper prices. If you’re traveling abroad, I love Scott’s Cheap Flights as well. Here’s how to save on airfares for cheap travel anywhere in the world.

1. Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates

The Sunday after a holiday weekend is always the most expensive day to travel. Make sure you remain flexible so that you can book the cheapest travel days, which are typically a few days earlier or later than the weekend.

The cheapest days to buy travel is typically a couple days before a holiday — except when those days happen to fall on any of the three weekend days. So that means buying on Tuesday through Thursday is typically your best bet.

2. Pack One Bag Only

If you want to save money, always only take one travel bag with you. Most airlines charge between $30 to $40 for a carryon bag. That’s up to $80 coming and going.

For example, Delta Air Lines charges $40 for a second checked bag.

Even if you have to wear the same thing for a day, it’s worth it to save on baggage fees.

3. Look For Travel Bundles

If you need a rental car, you can save money if you bundle that purchase with your airfare. The same is true for hotels, although you typically won’t need one if you’re going home for the holidays.

Travel sites like Priceline and Orbitz has deals galore on trip bundles that include flights and hotel itineraries.

4. Compare Prices

Consider alternate airports or destinations that may have lower fares.

Check prices for nearby airports, as they might offer more affordable options.

For example, flying out of New Orleans may be more affordable than flying out of Baton Rouge.

Final Words

Money-saving travel is more of an art than science, but you can save for the holidays if you put your mind to it.

The main thing you need to remember is that airline travel has changed drastically since early 2020. You will need to pack differently, including bringing plenty of masks and gloves.

You will also need to adjust your eating habits as many restaurants close their kitchens earlier or still have limited menus.

Whatever you do, try to have fun and be safe on your travels.

To New Orleans is one of the most convenient places to travel to and from. A large part of that is because Louis Armstrong International Airport is so accessible.

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Keisha Smith

Keisha Smith is a Contributing Writer who attended college at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge. She is currently writing a book on south Louisiana culture.