Last-Minute Thanksgiving Flight Deals: When to Book for Best Savings

Find the Best Thanksgiving Travel Deals with iBestTravel

The most wonderful time of the year is quickly approaching, which means the time to secure the most stressful travel of the year is already here. However, even if you’re only considering your Thanksgiving travel plans while scrambling to put together a last-minute Halloween costume, it’s not too late to score a great deal.

Flight Pricing Insights

Flight analysts from Scott’s Cheap Flights have compiled essential insights for obtaining the best deal on your Thanksgiving flights. Generally, travelers should aim to plan their domestic travel one to three months in advance; however, this year, last-minute travelers may find themselves at an advantage.

According to the guide, “In general, we are seeing many more last-minute-ish fares than we have in years past.” This trend is largely attributed to the lingering effects of the pandemic, which has affected many people’s willingness to fly this November. Therefore, even though demand for travel has rebounded since March 2020, it has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, resulting in lower prices for several routes this year.

Notable Flight Deals

The Scott’s team found remarkable deals such as:

  • Non-stop flights between Las Vegas and Chicago for only $98 round trip (typically around $300).
  • Travel from New Orleans to Miami or Fort Lauderdale for an impressive $65 (usually over $275).

Timing Your Bookings

Nevertheless, these deals will not last long. Thus, it is advisable to book as soon as possible. For Thanksgiving travel, securing your flight in early September usually yields the best rates. However, if procrastination continues, flight prices will likely increase. Once the three-week mark before Thanksgiving is reached, prices are expected to rise significantly.

Moreover, keep in mind that airlines typically raise flight prices seven, 14, and 21 days prior to travel. Therefore, if you have been monitoring a flight, set reminders for these crucial days to help you book before prices spike.

Holiday Travel Considerations

Even if you have not yet finalized your Thanksgiving flights, consider this your reminder to prioritize your winter holiday travel plans as soon as possible.

Security lines at Denver International Airport are long but moving fast, November 26, 2014. The airport was busy with thanksgiving travelers.
RJ Sangosti/Getty Images


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