We don’t want to alarm anyone, but there are 14 more weekends before Thanksgiving and 18 more weekends before the Christmas holiday! If you were planning on traveling during the holidays, or sneaking in an early December vacation before Christmas, now is your time to book. With a little flexibility there is still availability and still deals to be found. Here are our tips for booking holiday travel :
- Seek Expert Assistance: Holiday travel presents its own set of challenges and we can’t stress enough the value of using a professional travel advisor. You’ll be able to leverage our knowledge, experience and contacts to your advantage while booking your holiday travel.
- Book Early: Holiday travel is in high demand, and prices increase as the dates approach. Booking flights and accommodations early ensures better availability and potentially lower prices. While it’s not too late to book, you definitely want to do it now.
- Be Flexible with Dates: If possible, avoid peak travel days like the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve. Traveling a few days before, after or even on the major holiday dates can save you money.
- Consider Alternate Airports: We get it, we would much rather fly out of Dulles versus one of the other DC Metro airports, but now is the time to check your nearby airport options to see if it’s worth the drive. Traveling from smaller or nearby airports can sometimes offer better deals.
- Be Flexible with Destinations: Popular holiday destinations book up fast. Now is the time to be open to destinations that may not have been on your list to begin with. This also goes for accommodations as well.
- Bundle Your Travel: Package deals, like the ones we provide for clients that bundle air, hotel and transfers can often save you money compared to booking each separately.
- Pack Your Patience: Busy airports and roads are inevitable during the holidays. When you are booking holiday travel always give yourself extra time for check-in, security, and any potential delays to minimize stress. It is better to relax pre-flight with plenty of time versus barely making your flight and increasing your stress level.
- Pack Light: Avoid baggage fees and the hassle of checking bags by packing light. This also makes navigating crowded airports and trains easier and faster.
- Purchase Travel Insurance: With the unpredictability of holiday travel you really do want to have a travel insurance plan in place that covers cancellations, delays, and other disruptions. It can provide peace of mind during a busy travel season.
Following these tips can help you make the most out of booking holiday travel. For assistance booking your holiday vacation visit our contact page and submit your vacation request!