As the summer travel boom approaches, the race to book a superb vacation is on.
“If you're planning to travel to the United States, I think you should book a summer trip now,” Clint Henderson, travel expert and editor-in-chief of The Points Guy, told “GMA.”
Earlier this month, while reporting quarterly results, Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastian forecast “record advance bookings for the summer,” saying CNBC that the carrier's credit card data and reservations show that customers are very interested in air travel.
A surge in low-cost airline routes that has created more competition, coupled with a slowing post-pandemic wave of revenge travel, means travelers could benefit from more deals.
“Overall, prices are down from what they were when we just had the pandemic boom,” Henderson said. “So things are more reasonable.”
Hopper, the flight booking app, has shown that expected prices for flights to Europe will be down 10% compared to the same period last year.
Google recently announced its Top 20 trendiest summer destinationswhich saw some newcomers on the list and Paris moved up to second place.
With the Olympics taking place there from July 26 to August 11, a slight increase in airfare and hotel prices is expected during the Games.
But those willing to wait until after the Olympics could score big savings on flights to the host country.
The Points Guy featured deals from Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte to Paris for as little as $515 from August through fall.
Amsterdam, Prague, Spain and Iceland are among the most reasonably priced European destinations, as Hopper shows.
Tips for booking a summer trip
Remember to stay flexible with travel dates and keep the middle of the week in mind for possibly lower fares.
There is also a period during the post-summer rush, known as the “shoulder season”, between September and October, when rates can drop by up to 30%.
When it comes to timing of purchasing plane tickets, experts at The Points Guy have found that prices drop eight to four weeks before the outbound flight, but after a month, prices rise again.
