Thanksgiving dinner might leave you stuffed, but costly holiday airfare is likely to leave your wallet lean.
According to Travelocity, the average domestic airfare price will cost 10 percent more than last year with flights over the November holiday costing an average of $384 for a round-trip ticket.
Expect airfare prices to be stuffed with holiday surcharges as well.
Some airlines are adding an extra $30 on peak travel days, so the days you travel could make a significant difference in costs.
Holiday travelers leaving the day before Thanksgiving and returning on Sunday can expect to pay a whopping $554 more for an average priced ticket.
Those hoping for last-minute deals are not going to have much to be thankful for either. Though airlines have seen rising demand, they have also been reluctant to add additional flights, meaning that last-minute sales will be few or non-existent.
Last year, the airlines cut airfare prices as a reaction to a dip in travel caused by the recession and fears surrounding the outbreak of the H1N1 virus. As the improving economy has lured more passengers to the skies, however, the airlines have made sure that availability doesn’t exceed demand.
That means competition for low-priced seats is going to be fierce this year. Both Travelocity and Bing Travel recommend booking tickets early this year: start looking at fares now and into early October. Be as flexible as possible with your itinerary, i.e. traveling on Thanksgiving Day and returning on Saturday or even the following Tuesday, rather than Sunday.
Another good rule of thumb is to look at alternative airports whenever possible. Look at all the airports in your community to see which one will have the lowest prices. Connecting flights are also a cost-saving alternative, pricing at 25 percent to 40 percent cheaper than direct flights.
You might have to miss prepping Thanksgiving dinner with grandma, but by changing your itinerary you avoid paying for a real turkey of an airline ticket.
Related Links at PeterGreenberg.com:
- The Trouble With Traveling Near Thanksgiving
- Budget Travel Tips for Holiday Season Travel
- Airline Cut Backs Deciphered: With Map
- Holiday Travel 2009 & How To Get The Best Holiday Deals
- Holiday Travelers Face Additional Airline Fees
By Adriana Padilla for PeterGreenberg.com
