Holiday travel—just the thought of it can send shivers down your spine. Crowded airports, expensive flights, and all the stress that comes with trying to get from Point A to Point B when everyone else is doing the same thing. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back with some easy tips to save money on holiday travel. Let’s dive into it.

1. Book early… but not crazy early

Everyone always says “book early,” but what does that even mean? Don’t panic and book a year in advance—that’s overkill. Airlines usually have a sweet spot around 1-3 months before departure. This is when they start offering decent deals, but they’re not desperate yet. Sign up for fare alerts and keep an eye on prices—Google Flights or Hopper can give you a heads up on price drops.

2. Fly on off-days

Holiday rush? Pass. If you can be flexible with your dates, you can save big. Flying out the day before or after the main holiday rush (like on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve) can save you hundreds. No one likes to travel ON the holiday itself, but if you can handle a Christmas morning flight, it might be your golden ticket to cheaper airfare.

3. Use incognito mode for searching flights

You know those times when you look at flights, and then a day later, the price has magically gone up? Yeah, airlines and travel sites track your searches. Sneaky, right? To avoid this, search for flights in incognito mode or clear your browser cookies. This way, you’re not giving airlines a heads-up that you’re desperate to book.

4. Go for budget airlines (just be smart about it)

So, no one’s saying you need to fly in total luxury. If it’s a short flight, sure, go for a budget airline. But here’s the thing—read the fine print so you know what you’re getting into. These airlines make up for low ticket prices by nickel and diming you for things like bags, seat selection… they’ll even charge for snacks. (Snacks!) No problem, just pack light, bring your own snacks, and enjoy the savings.

5. Play the points game

Got frequent flyer miles or credit card points stacked up? This is the time to cash those in. The holidays are pricey, so using points can make a real difference in what you pay. But remember, rewards seats are limited, so try to book as soon as you know your travel dates. Waiting too long might mean you miss out.

6. Be open to alternate airports

Flying into a major city? There’s a good chance there’s a smaller airport nearby that could be way cheaper to fly into. For example, instead of LAX, check flights into Burbank or Ontario (California, not Canada). Sure, it might be a little out of the way, but if it saves you cash, it’s worth it.

7. Pack light and skip the baggage fees

Baggage fees are the silent killers of budget-friendly travel. The less you bring, the better. Try to stick with just a carry-on—it saves you the hassle of waiting at baggage claim and, more importantly, avoids checked baggage fees.

8. Don’t forget about ground transportation

Car rentals during the holidays can get ridiculously expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute. If you know you’ll need a car, book it early—like, as soon as you book your flight. Better yet, check to see if rideshare apps or public transit make more sense for where you’re going.

9. Look for package deals

Sometimes, bundling your flight with your hotel can save you a lot of cash. Sites like Expedia or Travelocity often offer package deals that seem too good to be true but can be real money savers. Just make sure you do a quick comparison to see if you’re actually getting a deal.

10. Consider a red-eye

Red-eye flights aren’t glamorous, but they’re often cheaper. If you can tolerate the inconvenience of flying late at night or super early in the morning, you might be able to score a deal. Bonus: If you’re lucky, you might get an empty row to yourself so you can stretch out and catch some Z’s!

11. Use credit cards with travel perks

If you’re already booking holiday travel, why not get some perks out of it? Use a credit card that gives you travel rewards or benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, or airport lounge access. These little extras can make a big difference in how stressful (or not) your trip feels.

It’s all about being flexible

The key to saving on holiday travel is flexibility. Whether it’s your flight dates, airports, or even how many bags you bring, the more open you are to changing things up, the more money you’ll likely save. And a little extra patience and planning now means more cash for holiday gifts or that post-holiday splurge.