Quick note. Airbnb just changed its house rules, and I have a lot to say about it. That one can wait until next week. This one can't, because the clock on Thanksgiving flights is running out.

Back in 2023, I spent Thanksgiving in Paris.

It was my second time there, and it felt so relaxed. No rush to see everything. No fear of missing out.

I booked it with a trick I'd also used for Morocco the year before. Fly abroad over Thanksgiving.

People gave me funny looks. Isn't Thanksgiving travel expensive?

It is, but only here at home. The rest of the world doesn't celebrate it. So while everyone in the US fights over domestic flights, a lot of international routes are quiet.

I wrote about it back then. This year, it matters more than ever.

Here's why

Two weeks ago, I told you holiday fares hit a 10 year high. Hopper has Thanksgiving flights averaging $402 round trip, up 31% from last year. Going, another fare tracker, puts the jump closer to 15%. Either way, it's up.

Hopper's advice was to book before Halloween. That's this Saturday.

The clock is ticking

You haven't missed it though. Kayak's CEO calls the pattern "a useful guide, not a guarantee." But from here, the trend is up. You don't need the perfect price. You need a good price and a way out if it drops.

Pay a little more for the right to rebook

Skip basic economy. Book main cabin.

Yes, it costs more. About $87 to $113 more on domestic routes, according to NerdWallet.

Here's what that buys you. Delta, United, and American don't charge change fees on main cabin for most flights in North America. If your fare drops, you rebook at the lower price and keep the difference.

The catch? The difference usually comes back as airline credit, not cash. And you can't switch down to basic economy later. Delta doesn't allow it, and I wouldn't count on the others. Basic economy usually can't be changed at all.

So the extra money is worth it when you're booking early and a drop is still possible. In the final two weeks, prices mostly go up, and basic might be the smarter buy.

Either way, you have 24 hours after booking to cancel for a full refund.

Pick the right days

According to Hopper:

Or fly on Thanksgiving Day itself. Kayak found it can cut domestic fares by up to 19% compared to Friday, November 20, the priciest day to go. Your turkey might be a little late, but you'll have more money for pie.

The wild card: leave the country

That same Kayak report found international fares can drop by up to 49% when you fly on Thanksgiving Day instead of November 20.

That's exactly what I was saying back in 2023. The rest of the world doesn't care that it's Thanksgiving, and for much of the Northern Hemisphere, late November is the off season. Plus, most people already have Thursday and Friday off. That's two vacation days you don't have to use.

I don't have plans this year yet. But if I go somewhere, I'm looking at a flight out on Thanksgiving Day.

The takeaway

Going home? Book this week, book main cabin, and fly on the cheap days.

Not going home? This might be the year to go somewhere else entirely.

Would you fly on Thanksgiving Day to save money? Or is that a dealbreaker?

Keep Traveling,

Andrew