Experts agree: Summer travel chaos is coming - airline industry analysts give tips on how to pay less for flights

Travelers looking to fly to some far-off destination this year are having to confront higher ticket prices. According to NerdWallet, the cost of U.S. airfares were nearly 21% more in April than they were a year ago, and it doesn’t look like the upward trend will be reversing anytime soon.

Among the myriad of economic consequences President Donald Trump’s ‘mini war’ with Iran is having, the throttling of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has strangled the supply of oil reaching foreign markets. This has resulted in higher fuel costs for airlines and drivers alike.

Spot prices for jet fuel prices are still elevated, up around 65% from before the war with Iran began, according to data from Argus. This input accounts for roughly a fifth of carriers operating costs, and any increases show up quickly in ticket prices. Furthermore, airlines are tacking on additional fees to help recoup previous losses from more expensive fuel.

Experts are warning not to expect airfares to come down anytime soon either, with predictions of the disruptions and higher prices likely to carry into 2027. However, the travel experts have some tips on how to secure the best price when booking tickets.

How to find cheap airfare as prices soar

Volatility in the price of oil usually shows up quickly in the price of airline tickets says Becca Blond, a travel writer who is constantly booking flights for her work. Because of the current situation, you may want to consider booking earlier than during the general “sweet spot” for domestic flights of one to two months before a departure. That way you can lock in a lower price if airfares continue to rise as expected.

But you should also try to be flexible and book tickets that “allow changes or cancellations without major penalties.” Most major airlines nowadays let travelers book a standard economy ticket which in most cases you can rebook if the price drops at a later date. The airline will then return to the customer the difference in the form of an airline credit.

She also recommends checking to see if it would be better to pay in cash or use points or miles that you’ve accumulated. “When airfare prices surge, redemption values sometimes improve — meaning the same number of points can suddenly cover a much more expensive ticket,” she says.

And don’t count on prices being better on a Tuesday. This is a myth as airlines are constantly updating their fares based on a number of factors and not, as it is believed, releasing a slate of new prices once a week. Blond says the best day to book is “whenever you find a good price.”

If you can travel later in the season, she also points out that peak travel season is in June and July, and typically August is cheaper.

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