5 tips for how to save on holiday travel this season

5 tips for how to save on holiday travel this season5 tips for how to save on holiday travel this seasonNow that Brad and I moved to Colorado, heading home for the holidays is no easy feat. Both our families are from the east coast, and flights home during the holidays are crazy expensive. But this year we spent a whopping $11 on our round-trip flights. And last years werent much more either.The beauty of spending as little as possible on holiday travel is that it affords youmore funds to spend on gift-givinginstead.Here are some of my go-to strategies for saving big on holiday travel1. Book EarlyThe savviest travelers have already booked December flights in September or earlier. Its true I remember an interview I heard on NPR in late achter monat des jahres with a money guru who said he had already booked his familys flights for Christmas2. Track Fluctuating Flight PricesI like setting up alerts onKayak.comand usingGoogleFlights, which in my opinion as a frequent traveler are some o f the most user-friend travel booking sites available. Alerts help remind you of your intention to book early, too. Its one of those things you remember you have to do while youre in the shower or something, but before you know its November and theyre not booked yet. Set alerts not only too see what the pricing trends are, but also just to remind you to tackle this chore3. Use Points WiselyIve probably mentioned before whatSouthwest Airlinesloyalist I am, and let me tell you why. brde fall, I was just a few hundreds points shy of earning the covetedCompanion reisepass,which is essentially a fly-for-free card you can give to any one person for the year, to join you on whatever flights youre booking at no extra cost.In talking with an agent on the phone, we realized that if I just booked one pricier business class ticket for the final business-related flight I had on my calendar, I would hit the threshold and could start using that Companion Pass right away. As a result, I had enough points saved up to book my holiday flights home with almost no real cash,andsecured Brad a seat on the same flight for free using our newly-earned companion pass, too.One of our New Years Resolution for 2018 was to put that Companion Pass to good use, and we definitely did. With points, vouchers, and the Companion Pass this year, we booked flights that would have cost us over $2,000 in cash, only having to spend a few dollars on processing fees.As a frequent business traveler, its easier for me to stack up points than the average person, for sure. But another way I work the Rapid Rewards points game is by using theSouthwest Rapid Rewards credit card by Chase. And no, this is not sponsored, Im just a huge fan.I mean, for full disclosure, some of my retirement fund is invested in Southwest stocks (LUV), thats how much I adore this company.Whatever airline you double-down on, commit to it and commit to figuring out how to maximize your points and rewards and save them for the most exp ensive travel time of the year.4. Fly On the HolidayAnother way to save serious coin? Flyonthe holiday itself. Truly. The airport is EMPTY on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas, too. Flights tend to bewaycheaper and youll still make it in time for holiday celebrations. Dont let your family pressure you into flying in the night before if it means youll miss out on thousands of dollars of savings.5. Be Smart About SuitcasesThe way that airlines are really making money unterstellung days is by charging you for every single add-on they can. Dont fall victim to the over-packers tax. Try your best to pack everything you need into carry-on size baggage only. Most airlines give you a carry-on and personal piece of luggage (which could be a fairly large backpack or purse) at no cost. Maximize that Wear your bulkiest coat on the plane if it means saving on luggage space. And keep in mind, even if you end up having to check your luggage at the gate, as long as its small enough to get through the s ecurity line, theyll check your bag there for free.Ship your gifts to your destination ahead of time and save the hassle of wrapping everything for when you get there. Sometimes TSA has to unwrap your stuff if you try to take it through the security line anyway, so save yourself the trouble and Amazon Prime that ish to your relatives homes or wherever youre heading to.If theres no other way to make it work and you absolutely must check luggage, try to pay for that at the time of purchasing your tickets or in the days leading up to travel. Some airlines will offer a discounted rate when you sign up to check your bag online than if you wait to decide upon arrival at the airport.This article was originally published on Bossedup.org.