GARDEN CITY, NY (April 21, 2021) AAA is one of the nation’s largest leisure travel agencies and booking data show reservations for flights, rental cars, cruises and hotels for Memorial Day are up 122% over last year. “Despite inflation and higher gasoline prices, people want to travel and are finding ways to do so,” said Robert Sinclair, Jr. of AAA Northeast.
Recent AAA data show the best time to purchase airfare is about two weeks before Memorial Day with travelers paying an average of $445 per ticket. Those who like planning further before traveling will pay slightly more since flights reserved 28 – 60 days ahead of the holiday are coming in at an average of $470 each. Travelers looking for a last-minute deal by waiting to book the week of Memorial Day will end up paying almost double – an average of $845 per flight. Average airfares for Memorial Day weekend this year are $160 higher compared to 2021.
Travel agent advice for booking trips this year include: Fly at off-peak times/days. Pick a hidden gem closer to home or opt to stay at an all-inclusive resort with plenty of on-site activities which limits the need for a rental car. Book early, the earlier the better to lock in the best rate, and make sure to ask about discounts for pre-paying. The first step to planning a trip is to purchase travel insurance. This provides a safety net should something unexpected happen before or during travel.
Top five destinations: Orlando, Hawaii, Alaska, Bermuda and Aruba.
Top international destinations are Ireland, Iceland, England, Italy and Mediterranean/European (river) cruises