Christmas Flight Alert: Price Drop for Sunny Destinations

Always on the lookout for value-oriented travel, Senior Editor Patricia Magaña has trekked throughout the States, Latin America, and Europe. Follow her on Instagram @PatiTravels.

Since joining the editorial crew in 2005, Magaña has pounced on incredible deals to Amsterdam, Madrid, and San Pedro Sula—each for less than $300. Her favorite travel experiences involve discovering street art while meandering a city, chatting up locals, and day drinking.

Her stories have appeared on USA Today, Huffington Post, Yahoo!, TripAdvisor, AirfareWatchdog, and other publications.

Email Patricia at editor@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Patricia Magaña

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According to AAA, 90 percent of all Thanksgiving travelers are packing the car and driving to their feast. Of the remaining 10 percent, 8 percent are flying. Eight percent of travelers is no small number, however. If you’re among those 3.4 million taking to the skies, you’ve probably already booked, but if you haven’t, you’ve already kissed off affordable rates. This week’s Thanksgiving flights are 16 percent more expensive than last, and 19 percent higher when compared to 2010. (All percentages rounded to nearest whole number.)

Christmas fares, on the other hand, are still relatively affordable. Though a good chunk of the Christmas flights rose since last week (42 percent), they only did so by about 4 percent. Don’t delay nailing down a flight though, prices are only due to steadily climb.

If you’ve been especially nice this year, meet Santa at the beach. Because everyone’s heading to their hometown, my research shows that the warm-weather destinations are the most affordable of the Christmas routes I’m tracking. Routes to Ft. Lauderdale, Honolulu, Maui, and San Juan are either considerably less than, or on par with, last year’s fares.

You might also like:

Last entry from this series: Travel Report: Christmas Flights Still Affordable
Need a comfy bed for grandma?: Hotel Deals
If at all possible, avoid these traps, er, airports: America’s 10 Worst Airports

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