The Consumerist.com website has neatly summarized some analysis done using Farecast.com. I’m the first to stand on the shoulders of giants so use this information as you will.
Key Points:
- Best deals Aug 22-Sept 15
- Last year fare sales in many markets started mid-Sept
- Nov 21-25 Will be the most expensive, with an average national price of $414.
- Extend your trip to Monday or Tuesday after Thanksgiving to save $60-$100
- Departure date affects price less than return date. (For example, leaving on Monday before Thanksgiving will only save around $30)
If you’re a frequent flyer with miles to spend, try and get ahead of the curve by booking your Thanksgiving holiday trip before the best deals hit the market. This should give you a better chance of securing a mileage seat before the airlines are sold out of all classes.
I find that the best airfare deals are at www.airfarewatchdog.com. These guys hand search thousands of fares each dayand post the best deals on their site. Unlike most others, they cover the discount airlines like Southwest, Skybus and Allegiant. Worth checking out…
Mike