BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) If you're constantly checking airfares, waiting to pull the trigger on Thanksgiving travel, the AAA of Western and Central New York
is out with its "best time to book forecast."
"Some people have already purchased their tickets, while some people are still waiting, hoping that airfares come down," said Elizabeth Carey, Director of AAA Corporate Communications. "New AAA research shows that prices might come down about two weeks before Thanksgiving."
Carey cautions, however, that by waiting, you're taking a risk that the flight could sell out.
There are other things you can do to save money on a holiday trip.
"You always see reporters at the airport the day before Thanksgiving. It's very busy and people pay big bucks to travel that day. But if you wait until Thanksgiving Day itself you can save money." Again, Carey cautions your flight could be delayed or canceled.
With Christmas and New Year's coming up, the travel period is spread out a little more. Airfares are going to be high but Carey said if you can be flexible and avoid travel on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, you're going to save money.
According to Forbes, for Thanksgiving, domestic airfare will cost $350 on average round-trip, up 22% compared to 2019 and 43% higher than last year. International airfares are also up 25% compared to pre-pandemic times and 41% compared to last year, averaging $795 for a round-trip.
Carey herself admits she is obsessed with checking airfares. She has noticed that a lot of times it is cheaper to book a ticket on a Tuesday, and sometimes on a Saturday morning. Sunday is the most expensive day to travel.
Travel bookings are more complicated than ever this year due to delayed or canceled flights. Airlines are also limiting the number of flights to make sure that they have crews to fly them. In the end, it means fewer planes in the sky and higher prices for seats.
Hurricane Ian threw a wrench in travel last week with several airports shut down in Florida.
For anyone with plans to travel to southwest Florida, Carey offered this advice. "If your flight is canceled, you're entitled to a refund. But if your flight is going to the Tampa Airport and you can't get to your vacation destination at, for example, Sanibel Island, that complicates things. That's when you would want to make sure you had travel insurance to protect your investment."
Carey also notes that she is seeing flexibility. "Some hotels and motels along Florida beaches were really blown away. They obviously can't accept guests. You can't get to Sanibel. So airlines are offering a lot of flexibility to travelers right now."
Many people are inquiring about upcoming Florida trips with the AAA. "A lot of snowbirds who are ready to go down there are asking, should they wait, should they go? It's really a personal decision," said Carey. "Some property owners want to go and assess the damage. Others have decided to stay away and let crews focus on the cleanup."
Where are Buffalo travelers going for Thanksgiving?
1 - Orlando
2 - New York City
3 - Anaheim, Ca
4 - Ft. Lauderdale
5 - Atlanta.
Maui, Hawaii made the top ten this year.
Detroit did not make the list. The Buffalo Bills play the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.
