The BEST days to travel during the holidays revealed: Experts reveal top tips for flying during the holidays – from the quietest and CHEAPEST dates to the best ways to pick up a bargain

Peak season is quickly approaching, but there’s still time to employ some tried-and-true tricks to keep costs and stress levels down.

DailyMail.com has rounded up a whole host of top tips from experts, covering everything from the best days to fly to how to deal with covered delays.

For US travelers, the experts highly recommend spending $78 on TSA PreCheck as this will speed up wait times at airport security and as a general rule it’s best to arrive up to 2.5 hours early for flights to take delays into account.

Get out there and find out how you can make vacation travel a little easier with these tips and more.

Best and worst days for air travel

Looking for the best day to travel around Christmas? Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, recommends traveling on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day because “these are the least busy and cheapest days to fly.”

At the other end of the spectrum, she says December 21 and 22 will be the busiest days, “with more than 3.7 million seats departing from U.S. airports.”

She added: ‘Airports will remain busy throughout the week after Christmas as some holidaymakers return home from Christmas trips and others head off on New Year’s trips.’

The earlier the flight, the better

There can be a lot of travel disruptions around peak times, but Hayley says planning ahead can help you deal with any setbacks.

When it comes to booking flights, she recommends taking the first departure of the day.

She explains, “It’s always best to take the first flight of the day.

‘This is because flights departing after 9am are generally twice as likely to be delayed than flights scheduled between 5am and 8am. Fly as early in the morning as possible to avoid travel disruptions.’

Early travel also applies to road travel as more backups will occur as the day progresses.

This is how you score a holiday flight deal

When it comes to domestic travel, Hayley Berg says the cheapest days to depart are December 19, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and travelers can save up to 20 percent or about $114 per ticket.

To return, Hayley recommends booking a flight on December 28.

She cautions against “waiting too close to the weekend as prices will be higher for trips returning just before New Year’s Eve.”

December 26 will also be one of the most expensive days to return, as “travelers will pay about $30 more to fly home right after Christmas.”

Plan ahead for disruptions

Travelers can expect delays during the holidays, Hayley says, and make the necessary preparations.

When making plans, she recommends adding travel protection. ‘And some travel providers, like Hopper, offer a flight disruption guarantee that allows you to immediately rebook a new flight, regardless of airline, if you are delayed, canceled by the airline or yourself. missing a connection.’

She adds: ‘This is a foolproof way to ensure you get to your destination as quickly as possible if your journey is disrupted!’

Some plans let you cancel or change your itineraries immediately without incurring additional charges.

If you can, Hayley recommends building in a buffer day, as “this provides some wiggle room should delays or disruptions get in the way of your travel plans.”

Arrive early and sign up for TSA PreCheck

Experts at Expedia US say there are a number of things travelers can do to make the airport experience more enjoyable.

First, they recommend arriving as early as possible, with at least 2 to 2.5 hours to spare before your boarding time.

For international flights they recommend adding another hour.

Second, travel pros recommend signing up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to skip the lines at busy airports.

For new applicants, the TSA PreCheck fee costs $78 and appointments can be scheduled online.

Sara Rathner, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, also reveals that some airlines offer expedited security access for an additional fee.

She explains: “United’s Premier Access offers exclusive security lanes, dedicated airport check-in lines and priority boarding from $15 per ticket.

‘With Southwest’s Fly By Lane, you get access to the front of the ticket counter and security checkpoints at select airports. You will receive this if you purchase a Business Select Fare or have A-List or A-List Preferred Southwest elite status.”

Finally, if possible, try to pack only carry-on luggage.

An Expedia spokesperson told DailyMail.com: ‘I always advise my friends and family to pack light and take carry-on luggage.

‘This reduces the chance that your luggage will be lost in the event of delays or cancellations.’

Stay alert on the day you travel

Sign up for alerts and check flight status before heading to the airport, says Hopper’s Hayley to find out about delays and cancellations as early as possible.

She reveals: “Most US airlines allow passengers to sign up for text, email and/or in-app notifications about any changes to their itineraries, including delays and cancellations.

‘It is also wise to know what options you have before you travel.

“Make sure you check the airline’s policies. Many airlines will waive change fees if there is a weather advisory or provide compensation/travel credit if your flight is canceled within a few hours of departure.”

What to do if you are stranded

If you do find yourself stranded, Hayley recommends taking the ‘multitasking approach’.

She says: ‘The first thing you should do if your flight is canceled is queue up to speak to an airline representative, while simultaneously calling the customer support centre.

‘During a major disruption, there may be hundreds of other travelers at the same time trying to get support from airline representatives.

‘Line up to speak to an agent at your terminal at the same time you’re on the phone calling the support center. An agent can often reach you faster in the queue than an agent at the airport!’

If there are no flights until the next day, Hayley recommends skipping the airport hotels and opting for something close by for better prices and availability.

To get to your destination faster, Hayley also suggests checking alternative airports or renting a car may also be an option.