I am planning a trip to Italy and France for the next holiday season. My plan is to fly to Rome the day after Christmas and return from Paris in January. My question is, given it's the holiday season, when is a good time to make an airline reservation? I haven't traveled at that time of year and am assuming the usual approach to reservations may be somewhat different compared to other times of the year. Any help would be appreciated...thanks.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23666 posts
There is no magic time. If there was, everyone would do it and it no longer would be magic. That time period is a min peak time so don't expect $500 fares. I would watch for maybe a month and grab a fare that is reasonable. It is like buying stock. You can never buy at the bottom or sell at the top unless very lucky. Generally earlier is almost always better.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
If you are using miles, the best time may be when the calendar opens up, about 11 months in advance. When "Saver" fares sell out, the number of miles required for the flight goes up substantially, and/or the route may require connecting flights (with possibly long layovers.)
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I usually book Christmas travel in May, sometimes as late as August, and find plenty of seats.
Posted by
OP
US
605 posts
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll keep monitoring prices for a while longer, but not too long.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3310 posts
When searching for fares, Christmas Eve and day are substantially cheaper than the 26th. There's heavy booking on the days following the holiday because of folks returning home.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2699 posts
Yes, Phillip speaks the truth. If you can leave a day earlier you'll likely save a ton. I often find myself flying on Christmas Eve/Day and/or New Year's Eve/Day....or buying tickets for my daughter to come visit for the holidays...at a really reasonable price. I haven't ever done it for international travel but it's a consistent bargain for US east coast to west coast.