Now that October is over, the holiday rush begins! With these tips to save money traveling during the holidays, you can make it home for Thanksgiving and Christmas without breaking your bank. Traveling frugally during some of the busiest times of the year will let you save money for gifts…or a post-holiday vacation!

Related: Travel Hacks for Air Travel and Hotel Stays

Rule Number 1

The golden rule of saving money while traveling is to book early. That is generally true for airfares any time of year, but is a must during the high-demand holiday season. Solo seats are easier to find, so if you’re traveling with group, booking early can make a huge difference. Thanks to the increase in travel as the economy rebounds, supply and demand gives airlines the power to increase prices.

Ditch Baggage

With the popularity of a la carte airfare and airlines cashing in on baggage, every item you pack matters. The goal is to eliminate paying for luggage by ditching baggage, but it can’t always be an option. Make sure you factor in luggage pricing into that super-low airfare. You might find that cheaper airfare isn’t the better deal after all. Also consider gifts. Mailing your presents might be a money-saving tactic versus trying to allot precious space in your baggage.

Look Beyond Metacrawlers

Metacrawlers like Kayak are very useful tools, but make sure you check out the actual airline’s website and call if you can. Not all of a carrier’s inventory is online, so that sold out flight may not actually be sold out. The same is true with hotels. I can’t tell you how many times I have preached the sentiment – “Never book a hotel through a third party website.” You can find more on why here at Travel Mistakes That Will Bust Your Vacation and Budget.

Social Media

If you want insider scoop and the heads up on those money-saving flash sales, keep your eyes on your airline’s social media. Often, sales are announced via Twitter and Facebook and sell out before you discover there was even a discount available. Also sign up for newsletters to get notices directly in your email.

Related: Hot Travel Trends for 2017

What tips do you use to save money while traveling? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.