Holiday Airfares Are at Decade Highs: Why Booking Before Halloween Matters

Thanksgiving and Christmas airfares for 2026 are running well above last year, with Hopper's Holiday Travel Index putting average round-trip Thanksgiving fares at $402 and Christmas at $452. Hopper advises travelers to book flights and hotels before Halloween, October 31, which is 11 days away. If you book through a travel agency, the fare rules you accept now will decide how much help you get if a schedule changes later.

What the 2026 holiday fare data shows

Quick facts: Thanksgiving round trips average $402, up 31% from last year; Christmas averages $452, up 23%.

Hopper's figures, reported by Fox 13 News on September 30, 2026, were carried by other Fox stations, including Fox 5 New York and Fox 7 Austin. Because the report is three weeks old, treat these as a baseline and check live fares before you commit.

Hotels are rising too

Quick facts: Thanksgiving stays hold near $170 a night; Christmas stays rise 18% to $197 a night.

Hopper's data shows the increase is not limited to airfares. Thanksgiving hotel rates are roughly flat at $170 per night, while Christmas rates climb to $197. Budget for lodging as well as flights when you compare the total cost of a holiday trip, and see the Fox 13 report for the full hotel comparison.

Why fares are climbing this season

Quick facts: The Points Guy says average airfares are up about 23% since the war in Iran began, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

In an October 9 guide, The Points Guy urges readers to book "as soon as possible," warning that "every day you wait risks a big jump in prices." The guide ties the increase to that period but does not isolate each cause, so read the explanation as the publication's framing rather than a settled finding.

The days that cost the most

Quick facts: Monday, November 23 is the cheapest Thanksgiving departure, while Sunday, November 29 runs about 40% above Black Friday.

The Points Guy, citing Points Path data, names Monday, November 23 as the cheapest day to leave and suggests Black Friday or the following Tuesday for the return. It also warns that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will likely be the most expensive and crowded day at airports. For Christmas, the weekends around the holiday and Sunday, January 3 look most expensive, so searching weekdays on either side of the holiday can pay off. Fox 13 advises leaving on the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas for the lowest rates.

Why Halloween is the booking deadline

Quick facts: Hopper's advice is to book all flights and hotel rooms before October 31, 2026.

Waiting for a holiday sale is a gamble when fares are already at decade highs. Earlier coverage from Stacker, carried by KEYT on August 14, made a similar early-booking case, and The Points Guy has argued that it may be time to book holiday flights already. Booking early only protects you if the fare also allows changes, which is why the fare type matters as much as the price. If you have already booked and the price drops, a fare-tracking tool can help you capture the difference.

Track prices after you book

Quick facts: The Points Guy says most major carriers allow ticket changes after booking, and AI fare-tracking tools can catch later price drops.

Per The Points Guy, you can change a ticket after purchase with most major carriers, or cancel and rebook. Basic fares are the exception, because they block itinerary changes and penalty-free cancellations. A price-tracking tool helps only with fares that can be changed, so check the fare type first.

What this means for travelers who book through an agency

Quick facts: Basic fares can block changes; a schedule change should trigger a rebooking or refund decision, not just a new price.

Schedule disruptions are where an agency earns its fee. The October Saudi disruption shows why. TravelDailyNews reported on October 13 that Lufthansa cancelled Riyadh flights through October 16, Air France-KLM suspended Riyadh services until the end of October, and Philippine Airlines extended its suspension through November 29. Separately, Khaleej Times reported that Etihad had cancelled all Riyadh flights until October 19, and The National covered the Riyadh closure on October 12. Khaleej Times reported on October 16 that Air India passengers were eligible for full refunds on extended cancellations, while Air India Express offered either free rescheduling or a full refund. Ask your agent to confirm three things before you pay: the fare class and whether it is basic, the change and refund rules, and who handles rebooking if a flight is cancelled. The Points Guy also recommends a credit card with travel protections, which can help recover hotel, taxi and meal costs if you are stranded. For more on disruption support, read our guide to airline schedule disruption help. To talk through holiday options with United Travels, email travel@unitedtravels.ca.

People also ask

Should I book holiday flights before Halloween?

Hopper advises booking flights and hotels before October 31, 2026, because holiday fares are already sharply higher than last year. Booking early helps most when the fare allows changes. Confirm the fare type and change rules before you pay, and use price tracking afterward if your ticket is changeable.

Is Monday before Thanksgiving the cheapest day to fly?

Points Path data cited by The Points Guy names Monday, November 23, 2026 as the cheapest day to depart for Thanksgiving. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 29, is described as the most expensive and crowded day, and fares that day run about 40% above Black Friday. Prices can change, so compare nearby dates before booking.

What is a basic fare and why does it matter?

A basic fare is the lowest-priced ticket category on many airlines. According to The Points Guy, basic fares block itinerary changes and penalty-free cancellations, so a schedule change can leave you paying to rebook. Ask your agent whether the fare is basic before you buy, and compare the total cost of a changeable fare.

Can a travel agent help rebook me if my flight is cancelled?

Often, yes. An agency can usually work with the airline to rebook a cancelled ticket, but the options depend on how the ticket was issued and the fare rules. Ask the agency how it handles disruptions and who holds your refund before you travel.

Are hotel prices rising during the holidays too?

Yes, according to Hopper's data. Thanksgiving hotel rates hold near $170 per night, while Christmas rates rise 18% to $197 per night. Compare lodging alongside flights, because a cheaper flight can be offset by a higher hotel rate on the same dates.

Should I track fares after I have already booked?

It can help if your fare allows changes. The Points Guy notes that AI fare-tracking tools can capture savings when a price falls after purchase. Check your ticket's change rules first, because a non-changeable fare will not let you use a lower price.

Facts checked against current sources as of October 20, 2026; confirm fares and fare rules before booking, traveling or deciding.