‘Tis the season to head out of town. That’s right – NOW is the time to start planning Thanksgiving, holiday, New Year’s Eve and winter vacation travel plans.

Wait a little longer and be prepared to pay much more. Headed to the mountains of Colorado to enjoy some fresh powder? How about to New York City to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting? Or, does some time down in the Caribbean, enjoying those white sandy beaches and azure waters seem like the perfect cure for those wintertime blues?

Regardless of where travelers are headed this winter season, the time to book those tickets is now. But, before booking those tickets, do some homework. Those traveling this season shouldn’t just go with the first flight they see. It isn’t hard or too time-consuming to find cheap flights these days.

Be flexible with the dates. Usually, the most expensive days to fly are Fridays and Mondays. Mid-week flights can cost a considerable amount less. With Thanksgiving being on a Thursday, and Wednesday being the most busy day at the airports, why not head out on Monday or Tuesday, then leave on the Saturday after Thanksgiving instead?

Try an early morning or a red-eye flight. So, instead of heading out at 5 p.m. on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, try for the first flight out that morning, or the last flight out that night. The early/late flights may not be ideal, but the money saved can be worth it, especially if you’re booking these flights well in advance.

Smaller airports. Depending on where people live, there are often times a variety of airports to fly from and in to. The DC area has three, the Los Angeles area has four, New York can have quite a few depending on how far people are willing to commute. And, there are plenty of others, too. Check out the options and try a smaller airport for the cheaper flights.

Don’t wait until the last minute. We’re talking about the holiday season – one of the busiest times of the year to travel. People book tickets early. Waiting until the last minute with the hopes of cheap airfare opening up is risky. Instead, book early. Start booking now!

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