Travelocity Identifies Cheapest Travel Days This Thanksgiving

SOUTHLAKE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Thanksgiving draws near, Travelocity data proves flexibility is the key to savings. A day-by-day analysis of both flight and hotel bookings from Nov. 22 thru Dec. 1 shows a slight fluctuation in hotel rates and a dramatic decrease in airfares, dropping from $459 to $280 when travelers adjust their plans to stay just one extra day. The most expensive days to take a return flight are the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving, when costs have been inflated by major airlines implementing holiday surcharges. While average hotel rates don’t change greatly around the holiday weekend, they are down 16 percent from last year, continuing to show steep declines and representing a great value for travelers.

“There are a few tricks travelers can use to find the cheapest days to travel,” Genevieve Shaw Brown, Travelocity senior editor, said. “Online tools such as Travelocity’s Flexible Dates search tool for flights and calendar shopping for hotels help travelers determine which dates are best for travel savings any time of year.”

Thanksgiving Airfare Analysis

As illustrated in the table below, the costliest flight itineraries a passenger can purchase ($459 on average) are for departure on Nov. 22 and return Nov. 29 or for departure on Nov. 25 and return on Nov. 29. Adjust plans to depart Nov. 26 and return Dec. 1, staying just one extra day, and the average fare drops to $280. Using Travelocity’s Flexible Dates search tool for flights keeps shopping to a minimum, enabling travelers to compare prices for various dates with just one search.

		Return on 11/27		Return on 11/28		Return on 11/29		Return on 11/30		Return on 12/1
Depart on 11/22		$318		$400		$459		$399		$318
Depart on 11/23		$303		$368		$420		$377		$298
Depart on 11/24		$308		$381		$445		$380		$319
Depart on 11/25		$311		$381		$459		$387		$333
Depart on 11/26		$288		$325		$401		$344		$280

Prices above are averages based on domestic flights booked by October 17, 2009. Taxes and fees are included. Fares change daily, so please check Travelocity.com for the latest available fares.

“Being flexible with your travel dates is a proven tactic for getting the best deal at any time of year,” Brown said. “Flexibility is even more crucial in nabbing the best airfare when you travel during a busy holiday season such as Thanksgiving.”

Thanksgiving Hotel Rate Analysis

Unlike Thanksgiving airfares, which have increased substantially when compared to fall travel costs, average nightly hotel rates are on par with rates this fall, averaging $131 for the duration of the holiday.

Average Nightly Hotel Rates for Thanksgiving
11/22		11/23		11/24		11/25		11/26		11/27		11/28		11/29		11/30
$132		$129		$126		$126		$123		$128		$133		$136		$145

For instructions on finding and using flexible dates shopping tools for flights and hotels, visit www.travelocity.com/insidersguide.

About Travelocity Global:

Travelocity® is committed to being the traveler's champion -- before, during and after the trip – and provides the most comprehensive and proactive guarantee in the industry. This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, competitive prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity one of the largest travel companies in the world with annual gross bookings of more than U.S. $10 billion. Travelocity also owns and operates: Travelocity Business® for corporate travel; igougo.com, a leading online travel community; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel; and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel marketing and distribution.