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It was supposed to be a big year for travel. Four in 10 Americans were planning more vacations in 2026 than last year, a late-winter survey by AAA showed.

Then things took a sharp turn at the end of February. Tensions in the Middle East erupted into a full-fledged U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, igniting a surge in crude oil prices and throwing everything off.

The chain reaction has been quick, with the cost of oil-based fuels climbing in all corners of the global economy. Among airlines, the increase in jet fuel costs — their largest single expense — is translating to higher airfares, surcharges, and baggage fees for travellers. At the end of March, the average transatlantic fare was up about 40%, flights to the Caribbean were up an average of 58%, and some cross-country fares had more than doubled in a single week, according to Deutsche Bank data cited by Business Insider.

It hasn't helped that a U.S. raid on Venezuela temporarily closed Caribbean airspace at the start of the year or that a partial government shutdown has created hourslong lines at some TSA airport checkpoints. Between the costs, safety concerns, and the hassle factor (some airlines are also cutting back on flights) it's a lot to digest.

So what?

In mid-March, a quarter of people surveyed by The Points Guy were booking their summer travel early to avoid further price hikes. Nearly as many said the war and other global events had them rethinking their upcoming travel plans.

If you're weighing what to do, keep in mind that a little resourcefulness can go a long way to helping you keep your travel costs in check this year. Here's how flexibility and creativity can be your friends:

When you book

The standard advice is to book 1-3 months in advance for domestic flights and 2-8 months in advance for international trips. But since it's not clear how high airfares could go, you may be better off booking sooner rather than later, especially if you choose a flight with some flexibility. In other words, this may be the year to pay extra for a refundable fare, since some airlines allow you to rebook at a lower price if the fare drops. (Google Flights also has a pilot "price guarantee" program.)

When you go

•   Although shoulder and off-season travel isn't as "off" season as it used to be, being flexible with your dates can still help you save money if you look in the right places (read: not on that viral social media post).

•   You can also often save by booking your flights on certain days of the week (i.e. avoiding weekends.)

Where you go

Now might be the time to try a new destination, or at least avoid certain ones. (Not surprisingly, more than two-thirds of TPG respondents were reluctant to go to the Middle East this summer.) Even if you have a certain locale in mind, check flight prices in and out of nearby cities too. Driving a short distance may be a worthwhile tradeoff.

How you go

•   Check to see if flying with two different airlines — one each way — is more affordable than a round-trip with one.

•   Consider a longer flight. Ahead of the 2025 holiday season, flights with layovers were an average of 22% cheaper than nonstop flights, according to Google Flights data.

•   Weigh getting travel insurance. It's an added cost, but the peace of mind may be worth it, especially given all the unknowns right now. That said, the fine print is crucial with these policies, so make sure you know exactly what will and won't be covered. Standard policies don't typically cover delays caused by acts of war, for instance.

Related Reading

How to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards for Travel (SoFi)

Travel Inflation Report: March 2026 (Nerdwallet)

Travel Trends Making Waves This Summer, Including Staycations and Short Road Trips (Yahoo Travel)

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