NEW YORK — Flying over the holidays is going to cost more this year. And the longer you wait to book, the pricier it’s likely to get.
The average domestic airfare for the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas is $383, 4 percent higher than last year, according to Expedia.
As airlines fly fewer routes and planes to cut costs, there are fewer seats available. Flights are fuller than ever, and airlines can charge more.
Airlines have an additional reason to charge families more during the holiday season: There are fewer high-paying business travelers, and airlines need to make up for that loss of revenue.
But fliers can save money by manipulating travel websites, planning itineraries that are a little less convenient and taking advantage of airfare refund policies.
A simple but valuable strategy: If you find a good fare, jump on it. The price might drop later on but not much.
How to save
Be flexible: Avoiding peak travel days can lower fares significantly. So can flying on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or early on the morning of New Year’s Day.
Look for connecting flights: An itinerary that includes one stop could save $100 round trip. Just make sure to leave plenty of time to connect — and be careful flying through a cold-weather city.
Fly, then drive: Try smaller airports as much as 100 miles from your destination, then rent a car.
Pick two airlines: Most airlines now sell one-way flights at reasonable prices. One airline might be cheaper for the outbound flight and another for the return.
The 24-hour rule: Alaska, Continental, Delta, Southwest, United, US Airways and Virgin America allow passengers to cancel and rebook tickets purchased through their websites within 24 hours without penalty. After you book, check the next morning and see whether the price fell.
