When's the best time to book summer travel?
We’re only a couple weeks into spring, but if you’re already daydreaming about your summer vacation, 5 On Your Side spoke to a travel expert about how to find the best deals.
With more people expected to travel this year, expect limited options and higher prices if you wait too long.
"The travel outlook for this year is everybody everywhere all at once," says Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, a travel expert who also goes by the name Jet Set Sarah.
A survey from Grand Welcome says 46 percent of people will get to their vacation destinations this year by car, 44 percent will fly.
If you need to reserve a flight, there is a best time to book.
"The sweet spot for booking your flights to get the best price, and the most choice for domestically, is between 28 and 35 days before you want to travel," Greaves-Gabbadon told 5 On Your Side.
It may not be worth your time to wait around for a sale either. You likely won’t see deep discounts on airfare this year, so find a price you can afford and book it!
While an estimated 80 percent of travelers will stay in the U.S. for their vacation; if you’re considering flying international, get your passport now.
"Eight to 11 weeks for regular passport processing, and then five to seven weeks if you pay to expedite," Greaves-Gabbadon said. "But, as summer approaches, those processing times are increasing by a few days to a week."
If your flight is delayed, you can do three things:
- Call the airline
- Walk to the rebooking desk at the airport, while calling
- Reach out to the airline on social media
Those are the best bets to get the help of a real person.
If you’re driving to your summer getaway, look at memberships you already have for discount gas or rental cars. Consider AARP or your grocery or gas station fuel points programs.
