7 tips for saving on holiday flight and accommodation

NEW YORK – Flying over the holidays will cost more this year. And the more you wait to book, the more expensive it is likely to get.

The national average airfare for the Thanksgiving and Christmas week is $ 383, 4 percent more than last year, according to Expedia.

The airlines fly fewer avenues and plans to cut costs, there are fewer places available. The flights are fuller than ever, and airlines can charge more.

The airlines have one more reason to charge families more during the holiday season: there are fewer well-paying business travelers, and airlines need to compensate for the loss of revenue.

But leaflets can save money by manipulating travel websites, planning of routes that are a little 'less convenient and taking advantage of airline ticket refund policies.

A simple but valuable strategy: If you find a good price, jump on it. The price may fall below, but not much.

Here are seven tips to help you save.

Be flexible addition of a couple of days for the trip before or after peak days can reduce the rates significantly. So you can fly on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year starts in the morning. In these days tend to be less busy.

A flight from Chicago to Seattle, leaving the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and return Sunday, which cost a whopping $ 420 on a recent survey. A budget traveler could leave on the morning of Thanksgiving, return the following Monday and cut the ticket for $ 327.

Most travel websites are search options that make it easier to find the cheapest days to travel.

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Search flights non-stop flight is ideal, but that convenience is not free. Book an itinerary that includes a stop could save $ 100 roundtrip. Just make sure to leave plenty of time to connect so that even if the first flight is delayed, do not miss the second leg.

Reservation and be careful an itinerary that includes a stop in a cold climate-city. Last year, a snowstorm on Christmas weekend on the east coast has caused more than 10,000 flight cancellations, stranding passengers for days.

Fly, then go Some airlines have a virtual monopoly in some airports, allowing them to pay more. One of America's most expensive airports in Cincinnati, which is dominated by Delta. To save money, but many fliers choose airports in Dayton, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., or Indianapolis.

Other airports are expensive to fly in and out, because they lack a low-cost carrier to keep prices under control, or because business travelers are the main customers.

Most search sites can control rates of 50 airports, 75 or even 100 km from the destination. The savings are potentially large enough to make the rental and travel time is worth more.

Choose two different airlines, most airlines now sells one-way flights at reasonable prices. An airline may be more convenient for the outbound flight and another for the return. You might even get to an airport and departing from another. Many sites automatically display these multi-carrier itineraries, while others require separate searches.

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CONSIDER THE 24-hour rule Most major airlines allow passengers to cancel and rebook tickets purchased through their Web sites within 24 hours without any penalty. After booking, check the next morning and see if the price has dropped. Alaska, Continental, Delta, Southwest, United, U.S. Airways and Virgin America all allow it.

SEARCH MULTIPLE SITES The cheapest flight is not always used on each site. Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity is the biggest online ticket sales. Sometimes better deals can be found on sites like Kayak, Hipmunk, AirfareWatchdog, Yapta, FareCompare, CheapOair, and Mobissimo Fly.com.

Some airlines, like Southwest, are not included many of these sites. Most airport websites list the airlines that serve them. Look there to make sure that does not lack a carrier.

SAVE ON HOTEL ROOMS, RENTAL CAR hotel and car rental reservations are generally refundable. Check frequently and rebook if prices fell. Alternatively, if you're willing to commit, many hotels offer discounts for booking non-refundable.

Hotels and car rental companies often offer discounts to AAA and AARP members and government workers. They also have special rates for employees of certain companies. It never hurts to ask.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. May this material not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Submited at Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 at 4:00 am on Tips by sofia
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