A new airfare analysis from Hipmunk shows that Americans planning to travel during the 2017 November and December holidays should book their flights before Halloween to lock in the lowest prices.
Those looking for the best deal should book on the week of September 25 to maximize savings.
Hipmunk's analysis examined historical prices for flights on and around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to determine when travelers can get the best deal.
Early-bird buyers can save up to 27 percent on Thanksgiving and 38 percent on Christmas flights.
Those who waited a month, though, were still able to get great deals: travelers purchasing airfare the week of October 30 still saved up to 24 percent on Thanksgiving flights, and up to 31 percent on Christmas flights.
Hipmunk's analysis also found 64 percent of all Thanksgiving flights and 84 percent of all Christmas flights were not booked until the start of October.
Travelers that are spooked by crowds should fly on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day, historically when the fewest flights are booked. They should also steer clear of the Tuesday before Thanksgiving or December 22 and 23, when crowds peak.
Thanksgiving Methodology: Hipmunk analyzed the median historical round-trip booking prices for US flights departing Nov 20, 2016 – Nov 24, 2016 and returning Nov 25, 2016 – Nov 27, 2016.
Christmas Methodology: Hipmunk analyzed the median historical round-trip booking prices for US flights departing Dec 22, 2016 - Dec 25, 2016 and returning Dec 26, 2016 – Dec 28, 2016.
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