No travel plans for Labor Day? No worries! All you need is vacation time or a couple of days off and a bit of cash or rewards miles.  And, you’re ready to take advantage of this time of the year. As summer ends and we go into the “shoulder season” (the time between the busy summer travel period and the start of winter holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas), you can find deals and more deals with airlines looking to get you in seats and flying off to see family and friends.  

Why travel now?

• According to Hopper.com – airfare is 9% less than last year this time. The airlines are getting the message.  A family of four has to empty the bank account to take a trip. It’s about time airfares are lower and now is the time to take advantage of low fares to great destinations.  Have you thought about visiting a friend? Or maybe a family member. So many of us are connecting on social media – take a trip and meet-up with old high school friends face-to-face.
• Time your  holiday flights for the best fares to see family and friends.  Save money by taking a trip two weeks before or after the upcoming holidays.  The weekends before and after Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most expensive. Most people want to travel during those days to get the most of their holiday time with family. If you travel a bit earlier, you can start the celebrations early or travel after the holiday to extend the joy and merriment. Be creative around the holidays to save money while spending precious time with those you love.
• Hipmunk.com is reporting an average savings of $106 by traveling during Sept. Follow websites which keep you up-to-date and on top of great fares.  There are several I like to follow on social media to make sure I’m notified right away and can respond quickly. Many airfare deals go fast. It’s smart to get updates so you can have a better chance to grab a great trip! My favorite site is www.airfarewatchdog.com.  
• I’m sure you have heard the saying “It’s just arithmetic!” and, that is true when it comes to tracking airfare.  A lot of this is pure math – more demand = higher prices, less demand = lower prices. Sept. through November there is less demand. Go visit buddies, see the changing of leaves, experience a relaxing walk grandparents in their favorite  park on a cool afternoon, spend the weekend with a college student or getaway to the mountains to disconnect. Now’s the time and you can do it for less.
• Depending on your destination – low season and high season can be different. When it’s low season in one place it is high season in another place. The perfect example (although not during the fall) is New York and the Caribbean.  During the month of January it’s low season in New York with cold winds and snow;  travel to the Big Apple is not too trendy.  But, travel from New York to the Caribbean is popular with North Easterners wanting to escape the boots and scarves for beach towels and sun hats. During the shoulder season or anytime of the year, keep in mind low-season and high-season.  Fares and rates are higher during high season when everyone wants to go and lower when that same destination is not so trendy.
• College students like visitors from home as well as a quick trip back to visit family. Destinations to academic locations can be higher during the holiday.  Especially Spring Break and the winter holidays; those special times of the school year when students are on the move. It’s math again – the demand drives the fare up or down
• Choose days when most people would rather be home – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Head out on those days when most folks want to be home-bodies. You can take to the road and leave others behind to enjoy time at home.
• The question is often asked, “When is the best time to purchase my airfare?” While that is a smart question, the answer is usually given based on what people think is the best day to purchase the ticket.  More important is the day you will take-off on your trip. Make your purchased based on when people are traveling (here’s the math again – more demand = more money, less demand = less money.)  Sundays are active days with business travelers getting in place for Monday meetings and leisure travelers are heading home from their vacations and getaways; there’s more demand! Fridays are “return home” days for business travelers who have been away handling their business and getting things done. And for the leisure travelers, it’s time to head-out and start the trip they have been planning and have been excited about for weeks. Long weekend trips are a great option for not touching your annual vacation days, while still having a quick getaway with friends and family.
• Go for the less popular early morning flights where fares are less expensive and the red-eye flights (overnight flights) are also not too popular. I think this can be a great way to travel for a couple of reasons:
  • Red-eye flights allow you to stay in your destination enjoying a full day and taking a late night flight. For me, when visiting family on the west coast, I get an extra day by taking the red-eye and I’m back home the next morning, just in time to start my day.
  • Early morning flights should be your choice when flying during the winter  months.  They are less likely to be delayed.  The reason is – you don’t have the rolling delays (arriving flights and air crafts which are delayed will cause further delays for flights and aircraft scheduling.) 

This time of the year is a wonderful choice for travel. There are less travelers out and about and with airlines and hotels offer great deals, you can have fun, visit and not worry about your wallet being flatten.