Brian Kelly shares tips for navigating expensive summer travel

Summer travel is getting more expensive just as demand is climbing, and Brian Kelly’s advice is built around one simple idea: do the unglamorous work now, before prices, lines and fees get worse. Domestic round-trip economy fares are running about 27% above last year, summer award pricing is up nearly 25%, and some international routes have surged even more, with London fares up nearly 45% and Milan roughly 38% higher. Higher jet fuel prices and a recent pickup in inflation are feeding the pressure, which means the best savings this summer are likely to come from avoiding mistakes, not chasing a bargain that may already be gone.

Why the cheapest move is often the earliest one

Kelly’s message is especially relevant because the market is already signaling a crowded season. Major routes to Paris, Rome, Dublin and Amsterdam are also more expensive, so the usual approach of waiting for a last-minute deal is riskier than it has been in years. For many travelers, the practical answer is to book the flight first, then organize everything else around it, instead of treating air travel like the last item to lock down.

That is the sharpest way to think about where travelers can still save money. When fares are rising this quickly, the biggest savings come from preventing the price from moving against you. If you have a trip in mind, get the flight and seats handled early, and do not assume that points will automatically shield you from inflation in the air travel market, because award prices are climbing too.

The booking mistakes that matter most this summer

The costliest mistake is delay. Kelly’s summer checklist puts flights, seats and hotels near the top for a reason: the later you wait, the more likely you are to pay more, settle for worse schedules or miss the exact cabin and seat you wanted. That is especially true during a summer that is starting with record demand, after AAA projected 45 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend 2026, including 3.66 million by air, the highest total ever for that holiday period.

Another expensive mistake is assuming your passport and trip documents will sort themselves out. If you are headed abroad, check passport validity before you book, not after. The State Department says travelers going abroad in less than three weeks should make a passport appointment, and that appointment must be within 14 calendar days of travel, a detail that can turn a cheap itinerary into a costly rush job if you ignore it.

How to cut airport friction before it starts

For travelers who want the easiest savings, the lowest-hanging fruit is time. TSA PreCheck is designed to move trusted travelers through security faster, and it lets you keep shoes, belts, light jackets, electronics and 3-1-1 liquids in your bag. The program costs $85 or less for five years, which is a relatively small outlay if it helps you avoid missed flights, extra airport meals and the stress that usually comes with summer security lines.

Kelly’s checklist also points to Global Entry and Clear as other ways to save time, especially when the summer calendar gets tight. The point is not luxury for its own sake; it is reducing the odds that a crowded terminal, a slow line or a missed connection erases the value of an otherwise good fare. If you are traveling even a couple of times this summer, the hours you save can be worth more than the application fee.

Do not ignore passport and packing rules

The easiest disruptions to avoid are often the ones that happen before you leave home. The Transportation Security Administration recommends checking packing rules and using its travel checklist, because small mistakes at the checkpoint can create delays that ripple through the entire trip. The same is true for passport renewals: the State Department says the official online renewal site is opr.travel.state.gov, and using the wrong site can be more than an inconvenience when travel dates are close.

For international trips, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says to review destination-specific health recommendations, travel notices and any vaccine or medicine needs before you go. That matters because a last-minute health requirement or a missed vaccination can be as expensive as a high airfare once you factor in rebooking, extra lodging or missed plans. The cheapest protection is advance planning, not improvisation at the airport.

Why disruptions are still a real risk

Travelers are not just facing higher prices, they are facing a rougher operational environment. U.S. flight cancellations rose nearly 15% in 2025 versus 2024, and early 2026 data suggest the trend could worsen because of weather and operational challenges. That means the summer travel problem is no longer limited to cost; reliability has become part of the budget.

Kelly also pointed to the 2026 World Cup and the broader summer demand surge as reasons to expect more pressure on popular routes and travel infrastructure. When demand is strong and cancellations are elevated, the best defense is to reserve earlier, build in more time between connections and avoid leaving essential arrangements to the last minute. This is the summer to treat flexibility as a financial strategy, because every avoidable delay now has a price tag attached to it.

The clear lesson is that expensive summer travel rewards preparation and punishes procrastination. Book the flight, secure the seat, check the passport, and strip out the avoidable airport frictions before the season gets even busier.