Your flight is about to get more expensive. These tips could save you.

Your summer travel plans may soon be affected by the war in the Middle East.

In addition to widespread flight cancellations in the region, the ongoing conflict is driving oil prices higher. Higher oil prices impact jet fuel prices and, in turn, how much airlines charge for travel.

Oil prices now hover above $100 per barrel, a steep increase from around $70 before the conflict began in late February. Simultaneously, jet fuel spot prices have risen from around $2.42 per gallon at the end of February to nearly $4.00 by mid-March.

If you have upcoming travel, you could see airfare costs rise in response to the war in Iran. Here’s what we know about increasing fares so far and how you can still save on summer travel.

Read more: 5 ways oil prices over $100 a barrel could hit your wallet

Rising fuel costs can directly affect airline operating costs, which is why your flight ticket price can change. According to the International Air Transport Association, aircraft fuel and oil are the largest costs for airlines across the globe, making up nearly 30% of airlines’ expenses.

“These rising costs are likely to be reflected in ticket prices and passed along to air travelers, especially those booking longer, international routes,” Jesse Neugarten, CEO at Dollar Flight Club, a travel membership service designed to help save on airfare, said in an email to Yahoo Finance.

Already, some international airlines are warning of — or already implementing — price increases in response to rapidly rising oil prices.

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) increased prices last week due to fuel costs, calling the hike temporary. Air France-KLM, too, said it would increase prices for long-haul flights in response to high fuel costs.  Cathay Pacific recently announced an increase in fuel surcharges for tickets on specific routes, more than doubling this fee in some cases.

In the U.S., United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby last week predicted that rising fuel costs would lead to increased airfare and would “probably start quick.” Already, reports show airfare prices have increased across airlines since the start of the Middle East war, even if major airlines haven’t announced explicit price changes.

Airfare price increases in reaction to oil prices aren’t unprecedented. Airlines similarly increased fares when jet fuel prices rose as a result of sanctions on Russia after the start of its war on Ukraine in 2022. Then, demand remained high even as airlines increased ticket prices, thanks to a major travel boom following the pandemic.

Travel demand

On top of direct jet fuel prices leading to higher airfare, demand can play a part, too. High costs may leave airlines to cut some flights or routes from their regular schedules, which leaves travelers with fewer options when they’re ready to book.

But that demand may not be as strong this year; economic uncertainty was already affecting travel demand in the U.S. even before the Middle East war. In its 2026 Travel Industry Outlook, Deloitte said travel demand could be “showing signs of strain.”

That doesn’t mean demand for travel is altogether down. “Signs do not point toward a major slowdown or decline in travel demand,” the report said. Even if some economic factors could lead to a “travel metrics plateau,” Americans across age groups and income levels still prioritize travel.

“Spring and summer are always peak travel seasons, and with major events like the World Cup in North America driving additional demand on certain routes, we will likely see higher ticket prices,” said Adam Morvitz, founder and CEO of point.me, in an email to Yahoo Finance. “When you have a surge of travelers competing for the same flights, prices can jump up quickly.”

You may not be able to do anything about global fuel prices or increased airline operating costs, but there are still some ways you can ensure you get the best deal on your upcoming travel. Before you book, keep these tips in mind:

If you have a rewards credit card and you’ve been saving your points and miles, now could be a great time to cash them in.

If you have a general travel rewards card that earns flexible points or miles within an issuer’s rewards program — like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards — you’ll have multiple options to use your rewards. Often, you’ll get the best value when you transfer points to partner airlines and book directly with the airline. But you may also find good deals through the issuer’s travel portal, which you can book using rewards or a combination of rewards and cash.

Morvitz does warn that new airline fuel surcharges could affect award tickets, too, with higher taxes and fees on tickets booked with points. “In many cases, airline loyalty programs apply those same surcharges to award tickets as well … which can increase the out-of-pocket cost even when you’re redeeming points.”

But using your points is still one of the best ways to save. “If cash prices increase, you’re often getting even more value from your points because you’re avoiding those higher fares,” said Morvitz. “Some airline programs still offer relatively fixed award pricing and minimal taxes and fees, which can be especially valuable right now.”

Some credit cards also offer additional benefits, including annual credits for airfare, airline incidental credits, increased discounts on award flights, and more, which can go a long way toward reducing your overall flight cost.

Read more: Best travel credit cards

Anytime you’re planning a trip that involves air travel, it can pay to plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your flight.

“I always recommend booking one to three months out for domestic travel and two to six months in advance for international trips,” Neugarten said. “The closer you get to the travel date, there is more demand and less availability, which drives prices up.”

You can also save money by staying flexible with your plans. For example, if you set flight alerts for your trip, you may find that leaving a day or two earlier, or returning on a different day, could make a big difference in the overall ticket price. You might also consider alternative airports near your destination, Neugarten said.

Read more: How to save big on your next vacation with travel credit cards

If you’re planning a trip later in the year, it could pay to book now if you think fare prices will increase. Choose a fare type that allows you to get a refund or a credit with the airline if you cancel your ticket. That way, if things change and your trip’s fare ends up dropping, you can score the lower price in the future without penalty.

For example, if you’re flying on Delta Air Lines within the U.S. or starting from the U.S. to another destination worldwide, you can change or cancel your ticket without any added fees when you book Delta Main Classic fare class or higher. Depending on the specific ticket you have, you’ll either be eligible for an eCredit with Delta or a refund.

Other major airlines have similar rules, and award tickets booked with points are often flexible, too. Just make sure you read the fine print before you book so you know all of your options.