DENVER (KDVR) — More than 80 million people are expected to travel during the upcoming holidays. Consumer experts said this is not the year to wait until the last minute to buy your holiday tickets.
Colorado extended the Thanksgiving holiday travel period from five to seven days in 2024 due to a resurgence of travel after a lull during the pandemic.
“Anytime you go to the airport, you can’t even find parking,” one traveler told FOX31.
Travel experts said those looking to secure the best deals and have a better choice of flights should try to book their trips before October.
“You’re in the sweet spot for year-end holidays, so I would say you’re about a month out from where you really want to get those plans locked in for Thanksgiving, for Christmas,” AAA of Colorado Regional Director of Public Affairs Skyler McKinley told FOX31.
The key to saving money is to monitor fares across all airlines and be flexible.
“The rule of thumb, if you’ve got to be at grandma’s house at 4 pm on Christmas Eve, book those really soon. If you can get there a week early, you can leave whenever,” said McKinley.
Once you’ve found the right fare, have a backup plan in case of any delays, and be aware and prepared for TSA airport security changes.
“Any mobile hairstyling tool that uses butane gas or lithium is no longer allowed in your checked bag. The reason for this is simple: these tools can start fires,” said McKinley.
Travelers can reduce the impact of cancellations and delays by booking the earliest flight of the day, booking with a credit card and considering trip insurance.