11 Pro Tips for Scoring the Best Holiday Travel Deals to an NFL Playoff City

2. Use Predictive Playoff Data to Pick Backup Dates and Airports

Playoff probabilities change week to week, so plan with backups. If your preferred host is Boston, you might also search Manchester, NH flights and car options. For Denver, compare Denver International Airport with nearby regional airports for different price points. Having alternate dates and airports gives you room to move if the bracket announcement pushes prices for a single day. This approach reduces the chance of overpaying for a single high-demand departure window. Set up flexible search rules that include +/- three days and multiple airports. Airlines and booking tools often show cheaper fares when you allow a day or two of leeway. When stadium dates are uncertain, prioritizing travel windows that avoid peak holiday departure days helps, too; for example, shifting a trip by 24–48 hours can cut costs while keeping game attendance feasible. When you book, record your backup plan and keep cancellation windows in mind so swaps remain cheap.