I have some great news. Air travel in 2018 is coming in at a much lower price point than it did in 2017. I’m going to use the space in this article to help you determine the most cost effective ways you can travel in 2018.

The Dominican Republic has been in huge demand for the past two years, and even though supply is increasing it still doesn’t meet the demand, meaning flight pricing can be exorbitant. Last year I was invited to attend the Romance Travel Forum. They pay my travel expenses, and purchased flights in February for me (the meeting was in June) that were an astonishing $1196 per person. In coach! Right now flights to the DR for summer 2018 travel are coming in over $600 per person for an undesirable schedule and over $800 for a good one. I love the Dominican Republic and so will you, but we need to get you booked early, prices there are only going to get higher for 2018 travel.

Jamaica is also offering better pricing for 2018 than it did for 2017. I just priced flights in August for just over $500 per person; last year the best we found were over $600 per person and up to $1000 per person when booked closer than 90 days to travel dates. Again, Jamaica is a fantastic destination but booking early is essential to finding the best deals.

Flights to Cancun and other areas in Mexico are coming in at great prices for summer 2018 travel, less than $350 per person. Mexico has always been the most cost effective vacation destination for those of us in the Midwest. My agents and I travel to Mexico many times every year, in fact we had a team trip back in October to Cancun where we toured 21 resorts in 9 days. It was terrific.

Hawaii flights this year are high, about $1000 per person for Saturday flights during the summer months. Those too are only going to get higher as we approach summer vacation season.

Right now air to Europe purchased through one of several river cruise specials is unbelievably inexpensive. We have flights as low as $295 per person, round trip from Tulsa when paired with a European river cruise of 8 days or longer. High season is higher priced, up to $695 per person, and some itineraries are even offering free airfare. As you know, river cruising is my all-time favorite way to travel, so please make 2018 your year to experience a river cruise, this great airfare offer may not be available beyond 2018.

Escorted tours in Europe are also offering the best pricing I’ve seen in years. It’s literally amazing what they include in these terrific tours, at prices that almost too good to be true. I love a road trip, and escorted motor coach tours are one of my favorite vacation experiences.

Speaking of motor coach tours, did you know there is a dizzying assortment of motor coach tours all across the USA and Canada? I’ve been featuring some of those on my Facebook page and the price points are extremely affordable. Is 2018 your year to see more of our great country?

Alaska pricing is the best it’s been in years. Flight costs are reasonable, cruise and land packages are very competitively priced. If Alaska has been on your bucket list 2018 should be the year you see our last great frontier.

Even for destinations with great supply, such as Cancun, if you wait until the last minute the supply will be so low you’ll pay through the nose to get there. If you ever listen to anything one thing I tell you please listen to this-book early! Sit down with your special someone and get your 2018 vacation planning underway. If you wait the only thing it’s going to cost you is money, and who wants to spend hundreds more than necessary for a vacation?

Joy Gawf-Crutchfield owns and operates The Joy of Travel. Contact Joy at 918-339-4805

Top Travel Deals in 2018