Travel Advice: Why August 25th Is A Magic Date For Travelers

Air Date:
Heard On The Larry Meiller Show
airport, Michael Kappel (BY-NC)
Michael Kappel (BY-NC)

Larry Meiller finds out why August 25th is a “magic day” for travel. Plus, advice for your upcoming trips as well!

Featured in this Show

  • Fly On Or After This ‘Magic’ Travel Date To Save Money, Travel Expert Says

    Travel is a fun activity, but sometimes, the stress of planning a trip and trying to get a good flight at a decent price can make it less enjoyable.

    One way to make sure your flight is less expensive is keep a “magic travel date” in mind: Aug. 25. Rick Seaney, the CEO and co-founder of FareCompare.com, said that he sees fares drop 20 to 40 percent for flights on or after that date.

    “It roughly corresponds with kids going back to school,” he said. “People have less flexibility … and there’s just less travel demand during the fall period. Airlines have to continue to fill those empty middle seats, and cheaper prices help them do that.”

    Moreover, because there are fewer people flying, Seaney said that the flights are also more comfortable. Besides the time around Thanksgiving, flights in November and December “can sometimes be a ghost town.”

    Another incentive for flying after Labor Day but before Thanksgiving is that there are fewer blackout dates. Seaney said that sales on flights during that period rarely have the frustrating no-fly dates that make sales at other times of the year hard to take advantage of.

    Another way to save a significant amount of money on a plane ticket is to choose an itinerary with a connecting flight, instead of opting for a nonstop flight. Seaney said that this summer’s prices have shown an even more stark difference between those two types of itinerary than usual. Seaney has seen nonstop flights that are 50 to 70 percent more expensive than a trip that includes a connection.

    “They are really charging a super, super hefty premium for convenience,” he said.

    Seaney encouraged people think of the connection as a plus instead of a minus. On international flights, including to the Caribbean, a layover can be up to 24 hours. That allows for travelers to take in the sights in another city for a day, while also breaking up the trip.

    Moreover, for those traveling with children, breaking up one long flight into two shorter ones can be a lifesaver. Seaney said that Parenting magazine has a handy list of activities and sights for children in different airports.

    Adults often appreciate a break during long travel as well. Seaney said that when he would fly to Asia, he “rarely would fly over the Pacific without stopping on the west coast and taking an actual night. That’s one of the roughest flights out there.”

Episode Credits

  • Larry Meiller Host
  • Judith Siers-Poisson Producer
  • Rick Seaney Guest