Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching – but if you’re worried you’ve missed the chance to book a fun getaway that won’t break the bank, fear not – as a travel expert opens up on the most economical ways to enjoy the holidays.
Budget travel site CEO Jeff Klee cheap airtold DailyMail.com that there are several ways to cut costs, with some of his advice including traveling with hand luggage only, opting for a road trip over flying and locking something down as soon as possible.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that 42.3 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, a 7% increase from 2022, so airports and hotels are expected to be busier than Never.
Despite rising costs, it is expected to be the third busiest holiday weekend since 2000 and it could be the busiest at airports since 2005.
If you still want to book a last-minute trip, scroll down to find some of Klee’s expert advice around to save a few bucks this Memorial Day holiday travel period — defined as the five-day period from Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29.
Book now and don’t delay
An estimated 42.3 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, a 7% increase from 2022, new findings show
Klee says that “airfares continue to increase as travelers get closer to their departure date, and holiday weekends are statistically more expensive than non-holiday weekends due to the influx of travel” .
With that in mind, to save big on Memorial Day flights, he suggests booking travel as early as possible and jumping on a deal when you spot one.
Set aside some time to validate your travel plans and you can book any day.
Thrifty Traveler’s team of travel experts points out that there is an “outdated myth” within the travel community that Tuesday is the cheapest day to book flights, but “there is no only one problem: it’s not true”.
Instead, they ask travelers to try different searches throughout the week because there’s no reasoning behind the offers and they can come up at any time.
Flight deals analysts say they “find crazy cheap flights, wrong fares and unadvertised reward sales every day of the year.”
“And no, airlines don’t track your searches and raise your prices based on the number of times you search. That means there’s no need to search for incognito flights either.
Book smart if you can’t book early
AAA booking data for Memorial Day weekend shows tourist hotspots like Orlando, New York and Las Vegas are top domestic destinations
If you’re considering a last-minute flight, Klee says it’s best to consider a jaunt to destinations or markets with lots of flights.
“These will offer better airfares and the best hotel deals most of the time,” he reveals.
AAA booking data for Memorial Day weekend shows that tourist hotspots like Orlando, New York and Las Vegas are the top domestic destinations, while European cities such as Rome, Paris, Dublin, London, Barcelona and Athens is the most popular international travel location.
It’s also worth considering where you’re from in the United States.
If you’re planning on flying to an international destination, Going experts previously revealed that New York JFK, Newark and Chicago were the top three US airports with the best deals.
It may therefore be worthwhile to travel to another airport by train, car or low-cost airline to try and cut costs.
Use a site that protects your price
If you can, Klee recommends booking through a travel website that offers a price guarantee.
Google Flights, Priceline and Orbitz all promise partial refunds under certain circumstances, while CheapAir.com offers a price drop refund feature.
Klee explains, “If airfare prices drop after purchase, CheapAir.com will issue a travel voucher for up to $100, so travelers can book early with confidence knowing their airfare is protected.”
Some travel sites warn you about better deals, while others ask you to find better prices yourself and submit a claim.
Do not check a bag
To avoid paying extra for luggage, Klee recommends traveling only with hand luggage
A growing number of airlines are implementing checked baggage fees for long-haul travel.
While in the past it was obvious that tickets from the United States to Europe would include at least one piece of checked baggage, today many base fares only include one carry-on bag.
To avoid paying extra for luggage, Klee recommends traveling only with hand luggage.
If you can, try to carry larger items through the airport, and if you’re traveling with friends, family, or co-workers, see if the items can be distributed within the group.
Klee says that an “additional benefit” of traveling with hanging luggage is that “travelers won’t have to worry about lost luggage and can relax knowing their luggage will arrive at its destination.
Book a midweek flight
While you can be flexible with your Memorial Day travel plans, Klee says it’s best to book midweek flights because they’re usually cheaper.
The lowest fares, he reveals, are usually found on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
On average, a Wednesday departure could save travelers up to 22% compared to a Friday departure.
By traveling mid-week, you’ll also avoid crowded airports.
Take a road trip instead of flying
AAA says INRIX, a transportation data and information provider, expects Friday, May 26 to be the busiest day on the roads during the Memorial Day long weekend.
Instead of heading out for long weekends like Memorial Day, Klee says it might be worth “considering a shorter drive or even a stay at a hotel with great vacation amenities like a spa or swimming pool”.
By keeping trips closer to home, it could save you a lot of money.
With gas prices lower this holiday than last year, when the national average was above $4 a gallon, the AAA says Memorial Day road trips were up 6% from to 2022.
It is expected that 37.1 million Americans will drive to their destinations, an increase of more than 2 million.
If you’re planning a road trip, it’s worth planning your travel times to avoid delays.
The AAA says INRIX, a provider of transportation data and information, expects Friday, May 26 to be the busiest day on the roads during the Memorial Day long weekend.
In the meantime, the best times to travel by car are in the morning or evening after 6 p.m. and the least busy days will be Saturday and Sunday.
Major metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, Seattle and Tampa will likely see commute times double from normal.
Consider going all-inclusive
Costs can quickly add up when you’re on vacation, so Klee suggests opting for an all-inclusive resort to ensure you stay on budget.
Isabel Sobel, luxury travel advisor of the concierge site two nights inalso promotes the idea of an all-inclusive resort or an all-inclusive cruise for added peace of mind.
She told DailyMail.com: ‘Spending more up front for an all-inclusive experience can help reduce overall travel expenses.’
“Many resorts and hotels now offer all-inclusive packages as well as room-only options, and all-inclusive is good both for your wallet – and for eliminating the need to make budgetary decisions while on vacation.
“There are still plenty of great all-inclusive deals this Memorial Day, so it’s worth getting in on as soon as you can.”
