Finding Thanksgiving Travel Deals More Difficult for 2011

If Turkey Day comes with travel plans attached, finding Thanksgiving travel deals usually calls for early planning and off-week booking. Nevertheless, looking to find the best holiday travel bargains is a bit tougher this year.

Priceline Issues Dire Travel Forecast

Priceline -- made famous by iconic spokesperson William Shatner of Star Trek fame -- issued a recent press release pointing to a four percent increase in Thanksgiving airfare costs. With a current national Thanksgiving ticket average sitting at $400 per ticket, Christmas travelers thus far only face a one percent increase over last year's costs.

The problem is compounded due to an industry cut in fourth-quarter flights by major airlines. Thanksgiving travel deals subsequently go by the wayside, as there are more consumers competing for seats on fewer planes. Estimated domestic flight reductions of the United and Continental conglomerate total between two and three percent. Delta and American are planning on a four percent to five percent reduction.

Will There Still be Thanksgiving Travel Deals and Steals?

Consumer behavior is likely to determine whether travel bargains are plentiful. If more consumers opt to compete for available flights, the chance of finding marked down tickets diminishes. At this time, Price Line identifies good Thanksgiving travel days to be November 19, 20, 21, 24 and 25.

The best days, at this time, are November 29 and 30. If you are willing to time your departure as well as arrival days and times accordingly, you have a better chance of finding good deals. Red-eye travelers can expect to shave additional costs off their ticket prices.

Budget for Surcharges

Fare Compare has been tracking the airfare hike matching game played by the unholy trinity of United, Continental and Delta. Adding insult to injury, holiday surcharges result in consumers' having to dig even deeper into their pockets. Confirmed Thanksgiving travel surcharges affect Delta, United/Continental and America. They vary between $20 and $40. US Airways has issued notice of surcharges ranging from $10 to $50, depending on the date.

How to Save on Thanksgiving Airfare

• Book early. Do not wait until the week of turkey day to try and score a couple of miracle tickets at rock-bottom prices.
• Fly on Thanksgiving. If your hosts do not mind rearranging the festivities -- or if you do not mind arriving for leftovers only -- travel on the actual holiday for cheap deals.
• Follow your favorite airline on Twitter. For example, JetBlue Cheeps updates hot travel deals each Tuesday.

Be prepared to make a ticket buying decision on the spot! Deals do not last and ticket quantities are usually limited.