If you are trying to find the best airfare deals for this holiday season, here are some tips:

1. Book your flights early: If you must or want to travel at a particular date or time and/or have your choice of seats on the plane. The best seats and most popular routes book up first leaving you with flights with longer connection times, red eye flights and middle seats.

2. Keep Checking Fares Throughout the Day: While there is some truth to the fact that airfares tend to be higher if you are checking on-line on weekends, unfortunately there is no rule as to the best day or time to check; airlines frequently change their fares throughout a single day.

3. Travel on a Holiday: If you don’t mind traveling on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day or on New Year’s Day, you will likely find cheaper fares and more available seats.

4. Combine Your Airfare With a Hotel Stay: If you are not planning to stay with family or friends, try to combine your flights with a hotel stay in a package deal. These packages often save you on both the hotel and the airfare. Purple Light can help you find a package that works for you

5. Fly Internationally: The holidays are good times to travel internationally as many overseas flights are cheaper than fares within the U.S..

6. Fly Business Class: If you are looking for an upgrade to business class, the holidays are a good time to find deals on these seats. The businesses who usually fill up these seats will be slowing down for the holidays, leaving vacancies and as a result, reduced fares.

7. Check Alternate Airports: If you are flying to/from a city that has multiple airports, don’t forgot to try all the airports. Flying to/from an outlying airport can save you a bundle.

8. Look for Last Minute Fares: While there are no guarantees, sometimes there are some pleasing last minute fares on certain routes particularly if you are flexible as to the specific date/time of travel.

Happy Holidays and Safe Travels!

About the Author

Jonathan Geen is the President of Purple Light Vacations. He received his travel agent certification from Career Quest and has also been awarded the designation of Elite Cruise Counselor, (the highest certification), by the Cruise Line International Association. He is a member of the Travel Leaders consortium and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). He graduated from ASTA's advanced travel advisor certification program and is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. He is proud that his company offers added value at no cost to all travelers. Travel in the Know Wherever You Go!