The world is gearing up for what could be one of the busiest holiday travel seasons yet, as airfares continue to fluctuate and travelers seek the best deals. With increasing numbers of people hitting the skies, knowing when and how to book flights has never been more important. According to Clint Henderson, managing editor at The Points Guy, getting the timing right can save travelers not only money but also some headaches as the peak season approaches.
Nearly 3 million people passed through U.S. airports on one recent Sunday, marking the TSA's new seasonal screening high. It’s clear the holiday spirit is kicking off with serious momentum. Henderson recently shared insights during his discussion with “Good Morning America,” highlighting findings from their latest holiday travel survey.
First up, when is the best time to book those much-anticipated trips? According to Henderson, the so-called "Goldilocks period"—neither too early nor too late—is the ideal timeframe for booking flights. That means now is the time for Thanksgiving travel, with Christmas bookings recommended to be completed by Halloween. "You want to book before prices hit the high marks, but you shouldn't wait until the last minute," he advises.
For those lucky enough to be on the cutting edge of seasonal deals, Henderson suggests checking out discounted airline gift cards sold at places like Costco. These cards often provide solid savings on ticket prices, sometimes even reaching 10% off. It’s like gifting travel without having to decide the destination on behalf of someone else.
While focusing on booking accommodations, Henderson remarked on current airfare from major airlines to European hotspots, calling them extraordinary deals. He shared examples of flights under $500, such as United Airlines offering tickets to Paris from Chicago for as low as $511. American Airlines also advertised fares as low as $364 to Madrid and Barcelona from New York City.
Interestingly, Henderson also dispelled some common myths surrounding airfare booking. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no magic day of the week to book flights — it doesn’t really matter if it’s Tuesday or Wednesday. The real trick to finding the best fare is centered on when you plan to travel, not when you book. And forget about using incognito mode to search for flights, as Henderson reassured viewers: airlines aren’t tracking individual flight searches.
What’s more, if travelers find themselves with tickets they booked only to discover a more affordable fare after the fact, there's good news. Airlines have become more accommodating, providing trip credits or refunds quite easily. This means there's potential for passengers to capitalize on price drops without panic.
Meanwhile, travelers also have their eyes on Cathay Pacific, which recently released its September traffic figures. The airline celebrated carrying 1,816,908 passengers, marking an impressive 17.8% increase from September 2023. This record continues the upward trend set over the first nine months of 2024, during which the airline reported over 21 million passengers carried altogether.
The air cargo side of Cathay Pacific's operations is also thriving. Cargo tonnage increased by 10.9% from the previous year, with notable upticks during the festive Mid-Autumn Festival. Their traffic and revenue figures reflect broader trends of recovery and growth circulating within the travel industry.
Clint Henderson isn’t the only expert emphasizing the importance of timing and smart shopping. Experts are buzzing about the return of many travelers to more environmentally conscious transport modes, particularly rail travel. A recent event showcased Eurail's incredible growth, which saw sales growth of 93% post-pandemic, indicating travelers are favoring the convenience and environmental friendliness of train travel.
For travel agents, this shift provides fresh opportunities to educate clients, encouraging them to explore lesser-known destinations and take their time visiting places rather than speed through. With flexibility, Eurail passes offer hop-on, hop-off privileges across 33 European countries; the options are abundant.
Spain’s unique cultural offerings are also starring as travel highlights. A recent event for VIP travel agents included various showcases featuring Spanish gastronomy and flamenco performances, hinting at the vibrant experiences awaiting travelers who choose this diverse destination.
While holiday travel planning is exhilarating, it’s clear there's significant demand for various travel options, whether travelers opt for air, land or immersive efforts to cultivate conscious travel experiences. With air traffic rising and cargo operations demonstrating solid growth, the nuances of the travel industry seem poised for another active season as the year winds down.
It remains imperative for travelers to keep abreast of their options and be resourceful as they head toward the holiday travel rush. They should take Henderson's advice to heart: take advantage of timely information and opportunities to snag those should-have tickets without the stress of bad timing. Here’s to happy traveling as we look forward to the holidays!
