Memorial Day weekend is upon us — but if you’re worried you’ve missed your chance to book a fun getaway that won’t break the bank, never fear — because one travel expert is opening up the most budget-friendly ways to to take advantage of the holiday.
Jeff Klee, the CEO of budget travel site CheapAirtold DailyMail.com there are a number of ways to keep costs down, with some of his tips including traveling with hand luggage only, opting for a road trip instead of flying, and locking something in as soon as possible.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts that 42.3 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, a seven percent increase from 2022, so airports and hotels will be busier than ever.
Despite rising costs, it is expected to become the third busiest holiday weekend since 2000 and could become the busiest at airports since 2005.
If you’re still looking for a last minute trip, scroll down for some of Klee’s expert tips around saving some dollars during this Memorial Day holiday travel period — defined as the five-day period from Thursday, May 25 to Monday, May 29.
Book now and don’t wait any longer
An estimated 42.3 million Americans will travel this Memorial Day weekend, a 7 percent increase from 2022, according to new findings
Klee says that “airfares continue to rise as travelers get closer to their departure dates, and holiday weekends are statistically more expensive than non-holiday weekends because of the influx of travel.”
With this in mind, to save big on Memorial Day flights, he suggests booking travel as early as possible and jumping on a deal when you see one.
Set aside some time to plan your travel plans and you can book whatever day it is.
Thrifty Traveler’s team of travel experts emphasizes that there is an “obsolete myth” within the travel community that Tuesday is the cheapest day to book flights, but “there’s just one problem: it’s not true.”
Instead, they instruct travelers to do several searches throughout the week, as there is no reason behind deals and they can pop up at any time.
The flight deal analysts say they find “crazy cheap flights, erroneous fares and unannounced price sales every day of the year.”
And no, airlines don’t track your searches or raise your prices based on the number of times you search. That means you don’t have to search for flights incognito either.’
Book smart if you can’t book early
AAA booking data for Memorial Day weekend shows tourist hot spots like Orlando, New York City and Las Vegas as top domestic destinations
If you’re looking for a last-minute flight, Klee says it’s best to consider a getaway to destinations or markets with many flights.
“These usually offer better airfares and the best hotel deals,” he reveals.
AAA booking data for the Memorial Day weekend shows tourist hotspots such as Orlando, New York City and Las Vegas as the top domestic destinations, while European cities such as Rome, Paris, Dublin, London, Barcelona and Athens are the most popular international travel destinations.
It is also worth considering where you are from in the US.
If you’re looking to travel to an international destination, Going’s experts previously revealed New York JFK, Newark, and Chicago as the top three US airports with the best deals.
So it may be worth traveling to another airport by train, car or a low-cost airline to save on costs.
Use a site that protects your prize
If you can, Klee recommends booking through a travel website that offers a price guarantee.
Google Flights, Priceline, and Orbitz all promise partial refunds under certain circumstances, while CheapAir.com offers a Price Drop Payback feature.
Klee explains, “When airfare prices drop after purchase, CheapAir.com issues a travel voucher up to $100 so travelers can book early with the peace of mind knowing their airfare is protected.”
Some travel sites warn you about better deals, while others require you to look for better prices and file a claim yourself.
Do not check a bag
To avoid having to pay extra for luggage, Klee recommends traveling with hand luggage only
More and more airlines are introducing checked baggage fees for long-haul travel.
Where in the past it was a given that tickets from the US to Europe included at least one checked bag, now many base fares only come with one piece of carry-on luggage.
To avoid having to pay extra for luggage, Klee recommends traveling with hand luggage only.
If you can, try to carry larger items to the airport, and if you’re traveling with friends, family, or colleagues, see if items can be shared among the group.
Klee says an “added bonus” of traveling with hang luggage is that “travelers don’t have to worry about lost luggage and can relax in the knowledge that their bags will arrive at their destination.’
Book a midweek flight
If you can be flexible with your Memorial Day travel plans, Klee says it’s best to book midweek flights, as they’re generally cheaper.
The lowest rates, he reveals, are usually found on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Departing on Wednesday can save travelers up to 22 percent on average compared to departing on Friday.
Traveling mid-week also helps you avoid busy airports.
Take a road trip instead of flying
The AAA says INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Friday, May 26, to be the busiest day on the road over the long Memorial Day weekend
Instead of venturing out for long weekends like Memorial Day, Klee says it might be worth “considering a shorter drive or even staying at a hotel with great vacation amenities like a spa or pool.”
Keeping travel closer to home can save you significant savings.
With gas prices lower this holiday than last year, when the national average was more than $4 a gallon, the AAA says Memorial Day road trips are 6 percent higher than in 2022.
It is predicted that 37.1 million Americans will drive to their destination, an increase of more than 2 million.
If you’re considering a road trip, it’s worth planning your travel times to avoid delays.
The AAA says INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, expects Friday, May 26, to be the busiest day on the road over the long Memorial Day weekend.
Meanwhile, the best times to travel by car are in the morning or evening after 6pm and the days with the least traffic are Saturday and Sunday.
In major metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York, Seattle and Tampa, commute times are likely to double from normal.
Consider going all inclusive
Costs can add up quickly when you’re on vacation, so Klee suggests opting for an all-inclusive hotel to make sure you stick to a budget.
Isabel Sobel, concierge site luxury travel consultant Two nights inalso comes with the idea of an all-inclusive resort or all-inclusive cruise for added peace of mind.
She told DailyMail.com, “If you spend more upfront for an all-inclusive experience, you can reduce the overall travel spend.
Many resorts and hotels now offer both all-inclusive plans and room-only options, and all-inclusive is good for both your wallet and eliminating the need to make budget decisions while on vacation.
“There are still a lot of great all-inclusive deals for this Memorial Day, so it’s worth getting started on this one as soon as possible.”