If you're planning to fly to see family this year, hang on to your wallet. Travel app Hopper says holiday airfare is the highest it has been in a decade. The average domestic round trip for Thanksgiving is running about $402, up 31% from last year. Christmas tickets average $452, up 23%. Hopper blames stubbornly high jet fuel prices, and CNN noted there are fewer low-cost options since Spirit Airlines shut down in May.
➡️ There is one bright spot for retirees: the cheapest days to fly are often ones working families can't use. Hopper says the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the priciest day to fly home, with fares topping $600, while Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are off-peak. For Christmas, leaving the Monday or Tuesday before the holiday gets the lowest rates.
Hopper advised booking before Halloween. If you missed that window, four travel experts have ideas for trimming the bill.
Use Your Miles, But Run the Numbers First
Sitting on a pile of frequent flyer miles? Not so fast, says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO of Points Path. His data shows holiday award prices climbing right along with cash fares, so a pricey ticket doesn't automatically make your miles a bargain.
His rule of thumb: subtract the award ticket's taxes and fees from the cash fare, divide by the miles required, then multiply by 100. At 1.35 cents per mile or better, use the miles. Below that, pay cash. A 30,000-mile award should be replacing at least $410 in airfare.
➡️ Two exceptions. If paying cash means adding $700 to a card balance you already carry, a so-so redemption can still be the smarter move. And don't hoard.
"Points are only worth something when you use them, and they generally lose value over time as airlines raise award prices," Kheel says.
Buying miles for a holiday flight, though, is almost always a losing deal, since airlines sell them for more than they're worth.
Gary P Guthrie
Pack light and shop around for airports
Lisa Chen, CEO of ToursByLocals, told Smart Senior Daily that the cheapest fares you see online come with a catch.
"The lowest advertised fares never include luggage," she says.
Grandparents hauling presents, take note. Shipping gifts ahead, or ordering online for delivery to your family's door, can save you a bag fee and your back.
➡️ Chen also suggests checking nearby airports on both ends of the trip, since some carry higher taxes that push up fares. And budget for the ride from the airport. Rideshares add up fast, so public transit or a family member willing to make the airport run can save real money.
Know What Your Travel Insurance Actually Covers
Winter flying means winter delays. Daniel Green, co-founder and CTO of Faye Travel Insurance, says a travel policy can reimburse "up to 100% of refundable costs" if your trip is canceled for a covered reason.
Covered airline reasons can include a government-ordered airport or air traffic control shutdown lasting six hours or more, or an airline going out of business more than 14 days after your coverage starts.
Trip delay coverage can help with meals, a hotel, and local transportation if you're stranded. Faye covers up to $3,500 per trip ($250 a day) and pays $200 to your phone's digital wallet for any delay of six hours or more.
➡️ After 60, a few more things matter. Keep several extra days of medication in your carry-on. If you have a health condition, ask about a pre-existing condition waiver and how soon after your first trip payment you have to buy it. Heading abroad? Medicare generally doesn't cover care outside the U.S.
Or Skip the Airport Altogether
Fiorella Yriberry of RVshare says a rented RV lets you "leave on your own schedule" and bring every gift on the list. Rentals average about $180 a night before fuel, campsites, and fees, so the math works best when several people share one rig on a manageable drive. Many campgrounds close for winter, so check before you book.
The Bottom Line
Holiday travel will cost more this year no matter what. But retirees have an edge most travelers don't: you can fly on the off days and skip the Sunday stampede. Use that flexibility, check the math on your miles, and read the fine print before you buy anything extra.
Each expert quoted here works for a company in the business they're discussing. Smart Senior Daily did not receive compensation for including them.
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