By: John Rauser - Farecast Fareologist
High Christmas airfares got you down? The most popular Christmas trips, those departing on Saturday December 22, have averaged well over $400 so far this year. It will come as no surprise that trips departing after the holidays are a lot cheaper. The period between New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day is among the cheapest time to fly all year long. As of today, the national average for a three-day trip over the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21st, 2008), is averaging just over $250. For example, here’s a chart you can get from our flexible travel tools, showing the drop off in prices after the holidays for a trip from New York to Miami; while a flight departing on the Saturday before Christmas is currently $600, flights in January are available for just $200.
This steep drop off in price leads many consumer advocates to suggest that you postpone your holiday visit to family until January. This is a route to guaranteed savings, if you can convince your family that celebrating in January is really no different than celebrating in December. If celebrating in January is a non-starter, giving the gift of travel is another great way to take advantage of inexpensive post-holiday airfares.
Giving An Experience
About the last thing most of us need is more stuff. Personally, I actively avoid acquiring stuff because, as Paul Graham writes:
…once you’ve accumulated a certain amount of stuff, it starts to own you rather than the other way around. I know of one couple who couldn’t retire to the town they preferred because they couldn’t afford a place there big enough for all their stuff. Their house isn’t theirs; it’s their stuff’s.
When thinking of gift ideas, I try to give experiences that leave behind no stuff. Food and drink are good options, as are tickets to a show or tuition for a class. For folks who enjoy travel, a mid-winter trip can be a perfect experience gift.
A Trip To The Sun
For those who live in Northern climes, a trip to a sunny destination is an obvious choice. Some possible destinations include: Miami, Orlando, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. For a Friday to Monday trip over Marting Luther King Jr. Day weekend the average cost per seat is about $300. Honolulu will typically be the most expensive of these, and your nearest coast will be cheaper.
A Trip To The Snow
Another good choice is a trip to the snow; perhaps to try out a new pair of skis, or a new board. Some of the major Rocky Mountain destinations include Denver, Salt Lake City, and Reno. All the big Dillon County resorts are an easy drive from Denver, including Vail, Keystone, Beaver Creek, and Copper Mountain. Similarly, Park City is a short drive from Salt Lake City and plays host to Deer Valley and The Canyons, among other resorts. Finally, Lake Tahoe is near to Reno, Nevada. Collectively these destinations average $265 for a Friday to Monday trip over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.