How to get a better bad deal for Thanksgiving flights
Some airfare shopping rules are timeless; a couple of examples are the cheapest days to fly and the best time to shop for tickets . There's always an exception, though, which brings us to Thanksgiving: This unique American holiday plays by its own rules.
There are no good Thanksgiving deals, only better bad deals
Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 27) is the most popular flying holiday of the year. Kids come home from college and families flock to Grandma's. It's a short holiday, too - basically a very long weekend - so the airlines have us right where they want us.
Don't get discouraged, and you might if you look for good deals. The truth is, there aren't any. What you're looking for are the best of the bad deals.
You can't shop too early
Shopping early is how to find the best of the bad deals. Normally, shoppers should not purchase tickets earlier than three months before departure, but when it comes to Thanksgiving you can shop virtually year-round. Prices will be high and will only get higher as we move into October. If you plan on flying for Turkey Day, buy tickets now.
The cheapest day to fly isn't the one you think
Normally, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Don't follow this rule at Thanksgiving because the Tuesday and Wednesday before the holiday are among the highest-priced days of the year.
• Cheapest day to fly: Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27)
• Mid-range price days to fly: Saturday to Saturday (Nov. 22, 29)
• Most expensive days to fly: Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Sunday after (Nov. 26, 30)
Factor in some inconvenience
Grit your teeth and factor in additional time in the air (and airport) by forgoing the nice, easy non-stop in favor of a connecting flight. This could save you as much as 50%. Note: This isn't true for every route, so compare the cost of non-stops vs. connections as you shop.
If you live in a smaller city with not-so-cheap airfare during the best of times, consider driving to the nearest hub airport; this too could save a relative bundle (but don't forget to factor in gas and parking costs). Or, if Grandma lives in a less-accessible destination, suggest going to Aunt Mildred's in Chicago for the festivities. Chances are it'll be cheaper and Grandma might enjoy the break.
FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney is an airline industry insider and top media air travel resource. Follow Rick (@rickseaney) and never overpay for airfare again.