How to Save Money by Knowing When to Purchase Holiday Flights

Every year, flight costs increase. In fact, they’re increasing beyond the rate of inflation. However, said costs can and do fluctuate. With that information in mind, when is the best time to lock in holiday travel flights for the 2024 Thanksgiving and Christmas season? According to USA Today, average prices are generally lowest in October. 

As of the writing of this article, it’s not yet known how low October prices will dip, but last year’s costs can be very revealing. Per a CNBC article from fall of 2023, you’re looking at average domestic round-trip fares being at $268 for Thanksgiving and $400 for Christmas.

Even if purchased in October at a lower price, you’re still looking at a significant investment. And that’s just flights. When you tack on Uber, taxi, bus, shuttle, subway and similar charges, meals, lodging, incidentals, etc., your vacation fund could easily be in the thousands.  

That’s a lot of cash on the line, says Dan Drennen, Director of Sales and Marketing at Travel Insurance Center^®. Drennen poses the question: What if you’ve booked nonrefundable costs like plane tickets and suddenly can’t go on your trip? It happens, says Dan. Maybe severe weather cancelled all flights. Or, perhaps an earthquake strikes, making it impossible for you to arrive at your destination.

How do you hedge against the financial risk associated with holiday travel?

Drennen offers a viable solution to this dilemma. He recommends obtaining suitable travel insurance coverage.

How much should you pay a travel insurance agent to help protect your holiday travel?

Honest and ethical travel insurance agents get paid by the insurance company when they sell one of their clients a policy. You never need to pay them directly. In fact, Dan warns that if a so-called travel insurance agent requires up-front payment for services, don’t walk away – run.  

Travel Insurance Center offers a wide selection of travel insurance solutions:*

• Coronavirus-Friendly Plans
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• Trip Cancellation and Comprehensive Packaged Plans
  Comprehensive travel protection plans including Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical, Emergency Evacuation, Travel Delay, Baggage Protection, Baggage Delay, and more.
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  Travel Medical Insurance reimburses you for emergency medical expenses incurred when you are traveling or living in a foreign country.
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  Not all medical facilities were created equal. Depending on the plan, emergency medical evacuation covers the cost of transporting a seriously injured or ill person.
• Global Risk Insurance
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• Annual Multi-Trip Insurance
  Designed for year-round peace of mind for people who love to travel, annual multi-trip travel Insurance plans provide coverage for all of your trips throughout the year, subject to a maximum trip length of 30 to 45 days per trip depending on the plan selected.
• Group Insurance
  Group Travel Insurance protection plans are designed to cover groups of people traveling on the same trip itinerary.

If you are interested in protecting your holiday travel investment, consider working with Travel Insurance Center. Call 1.866.979.6753 or complete this form to get a no-cost, no-obligation quote.

*Do contact Travel Insurance Center at 1.866.979.6753 for a more complete rundown of product benefits, features, limits and exclusions.