Save Money on Christmas & New Year’s Fares

The time for decorations, dinner parties and marathon shopping trips is upon us. But before you can start arranging your holiday calendar, it is time to get those December flights booked. Below is a list of great tips for finding savings on holiday airfare.

If you’re flying around Christmas consider adjusting the dates of your trip: depart midweek before Christmas Day and return home either on the holiday or several days after Christmas weekend (or extend your trip through the New Year). By allowing flexibility with your travel dates you’ll find the best prices and avoid the crowds at the airport. 

This holiday season, we've found that Dec. 18-19, 25, 31; and Jan. 1-2 are the least expensive dates to fly. Some of the best fares we've seen this week are:

Sample Roundtrip Fares from the West (incl. tax):

• Las Vegas-Los Angeles ... $88
• San Francisco-Long Beach ... $139
• Orange County-Phoenix ... $140
• Denver-New York ... $142
  
• San Francisco-Palm Springs ... $158
• Oakland-Phoenix ... $172
• Denver-Atlanta ... $257
• Phoenix-New Orleans ... $325

Sample Roundtrip Fares from the East (incl. tax):

• Baltimore-Fort Lauderdale ... $108
• New York-Chicago ... $138
• New York-Myrtle Beach ... $143
  
• Washington, D.C.-Tampa ... $146
• Boston-Chicago ... $186
• Philadelphia-Denver ... $187
• Buffalo-Orlando ... $188
  
• Boston-Las Vegas ... $220

Sample Roundtrip Fares from the Midwest & Texas (incl. tax):

• Minneapolis-Chicago ... $90
• Chicago-Denver ... $137
• Chicago-New York ... $138
• Dallas-Las Vegas ... $208
• Detroit-Orlando ... $208
  
• Dallas-Atlanta ... $212
• Detroit-Las Vegas ... $249
• Chicago-Los Angeles ... $281
  

Sample Roundtrip Fares from the Southeast & Florida (incl. tax):

• Fort Lauderdale-Baltimore ... $108
• Atlanta-Charlotte ... $135
• Charlotte-Boston ... $160
• Raleigh-Chicago ... $180
• Atlanta-Denver ... $224
• New Orleans-Phoenix ... $240
• Charlotte-San Francisco ... $272

The best fares are based on availability, so book quickly if you find one. Christmas will be here before you know it and great fares are available now.

By doing a little extra research, being flexible, and booking your December holiday flights as soon as you’ve nailed down your travel plans you’ll find the best deal for your trip.