Selecting a bucket-list trip destination might be expensive. Instead, consider less-known travel destinations and have an open mind when it comes to choices. For example, while Myrtle Beach is a popular holiday destination for many, picking from other, less popular East Coast beaches or lakeside communities might result in significant savings.

Travelers might also experiment with different days and times of day to travel. Furthermore, even after booking tickets, airlines may change routes or schedules to satisfy demand.

Be Aware of COVID-19 Restrictions

While domestic travel has not required substantial limitations thus far, overseas travel is likely to impose constraints.

Those planning a trip to Iceland, for example, should provide a certificate of full COVID-19 immunization or a certificate of past COVID-19 illness. In addition, passengers will be required to take a coronavirus test upon arrival.

There is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding overseas travel for the rest of 2021. Though the European Union indicated that it would welcome vaccinated Americans this summer, experts predict that additional travel restrictions will be imposed. And, as COVID-19 infection rates fluctuate around the country, destinations may change their conditions at the last minute.

Consider Seasonality Before Making a Reservation

Travelers can get good airfare deals throughout the offseason or the shoulder months between the offseason and peak season, just as they did before the epidemic.

According to Keyes, those planning a trip during a popular season, such as midsummer, Christmas, or New Year’s, should seek domestic flights two to five months in advance — a little sooner than is usually recommended.

Though flight fares are rising now, the epidemic isn’t always to blame.

“Summer fares will rise, partly because everyone is eager to travel again, but largely because summer fares are always higher,” Keyes predicts. However, he claims, “The outlook for affordable flights appears to be very promising. Those variables that contributed to the golden age of cheap airfares will continue to emerge as a result of the epidemic.”