Winter isn't too far away, and KNKX travel expert Matthew Brumley is thinking about where he's going over the next few months.
That includes both holiday travel, trips he plans to take in early 2019. Brumley has one clear message for people planning some travel between now and the spring: Book now.
“If you wait until November, chances are rates will go way up, and many places you were hoping to stay at are already booked up,” he said. “If you wait until two weeks out, or a month out, you might pay double for the same flight.”
Also, consider travel on Saturdays and holidays. Fridays and Sundays are notoriously expensive – and busy – times to fly. You might find a little relief by booking your travel on Saturdays. Holidays can also provide some cheaper travel if you make your trip on the day itself, rather than the days on either side of it.
Secondary airports can also be a help. Heading to New York City? You can try flying into JFK or LaGuardia. But if you’re willing to do a little ground travel, there’s also Newark and Hartford, for example. Heading to Chicago? Try Milwaukee’s airport. It’s possible the difference in airfare will more than compensate for the price of ground transportation.
The opposite can also save you money – flying to a nearby hub rather than directly to a smaller destination. The point is to play around with some options.
Brumley also advises travelers to begin with a hotel reservation. The cancelation policies are more lenient if you change your plans, and besides getting a firm lock on a room, having a hotel reservation can often motivate you to book the rest of the trip.
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"Going Places" is 88.5's weekly exploration of travel. Our travel expert, Matthew Brumley, is co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions on Bainbridge Island, which provides small group travel to clients including KNKX. Never miss an episode again. Subscribe to Going Places with iTunes, Google Play or Stitcher.
