These Expert Holiday Travel Tips Can Save You Time And Money On Your Next Flight

Today's sky-high fares are enough to make a grown woman cry.

According to the latest CPI report, average fares have increased by more than 42% over the past year. People are also spending more on airlines and travel agencies. At the same time, flights are becoming increasingly unreliable and passengers face serious problems ranging from flight delays and cancellations to long waits and lost luggage.

"The travel industry as a whole around the world is under tremendous pressure and is nearing the point where it will explode," said Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, CNET's parent company. "I've never seen in my life how the infrastructure of the tourism industry has let consumers down on a daily basis."

Kelly would know. He visited 85 countries of the world and completed more than 500 flights. Hoping to get advice from my So Money listeners (and myself), I turned to him for professional advice. In the podcast episode, Kelly shares his thoughts on the state of the airlines and why passenger conditions may improve over time. To get the best deals, it's best to book as early as possible and use comparison tools like Google Flights. Some flexibility with travel dates can also be helpful.

I was struck by his insight. Here are some of their secrets to help you take care of yourself and save money and hassle on your next trip this holiday season.

1. Don't be fooled by travel protection offers

There are many reasons why you may need to cancel your trip and in some cases travel insurance can be a wise investment . Travel insurance can provide financial coverage for rental damage, lost baggage, flight delays, medical bills, and ticket cancellations. However, beware of the travel protection programs that airlines typically sell at the checkout, which come with many strings attached.

Kelly called this coverage "bullshit," noting, "If you want real travel insurance, never buy it directly from the airline." Instead, she recommends looking at the benefits of your credit card travel insurance, which can provide excellent coverage at no additional cost , or compare policies on the independent marketplace InsureMyTrip.com.

2. Buy a return ticket

With so many unknown factors beyond our control, sometimes a cheaper alternative to airline insurance is a return flight, which you can cancel for any reason (change of plans, illness, etc.) and receive a full refund. "People don't realize that sometimes it's just $50 more," says Kelly, who also favors cash-back hotel bookings.

One trick he recommends is to buy a refundable ticket first and then wait a day or two before traveling to see if a non-refundable airport or hotel room is available at a lower rate. In this case you can cancel your ticket and book again to save money.

3. Know your rights as a passenger

Airlines are more likely to experience flight delays and cancellations due to staff shortages. If this happens to you, don't think your only options are to rebook or take out a flight loan. Kelly says most customers don't realize that if their flight is delayed or canceled, they need a 100 percent cash refund.

“Airlines are terrible at refunds. Don't get it given as a coupon. You need to get cash," he said.

Even if you miss your flight for personal reasons, you can request a refund through the airline's website, Kelly said, and there's a good chance you'll get one. Sometimes the quickest way to find airline instructions on how to request a refund is to go to Google, search for your airline and "request a refund".

"It never hurts to ask," Kelly said.

4. Direct flights can save you money

While adding stops can lower the overall cost, it adds uncertainty to your trip, which can mean additional costs if one of your connecting flights is canceled and you need to book accommodation. "Every time you add another flight that you don't need, you create problems for yourself," says Kelly.

But if for some reason you need to catch a connecting flight, make sure you have at least two hours to transfer. For international flights, Kelly recommends four hours between connecting flights.

5. Book alternative flights with card miles

For events you can't miss, like a wedding, cruise, or engagement, Kelly recommends using a credit card to book flights and redeeming your miles to reserve a seat on another airline that will depart from the same airport a few hours later. . "In the worst case scenario, if my original flight is delayed or cancelled, I'll be given an alternative flight because today's flight was fully booked," he said.

Providing replacement flights with miles means you can cancel and redeem miles for free as most airlines waive award cancellation fees.

“Airlines are putting pressure on consumers. So that I can give myself and my readers a head start to protect myself, I'm not upset about it," Kelly said.

For more travel tips this holiday season, check out My Favorite Ways to Save Money on Grocery, Gas, Travel and More . Also find out about the cheapest flight days and how to avoid crowded airport lines with TSA Precheck, Global Entry or Clear.