8 expert travel hacks to save time and money in 2026

Booking travel can be tricky, but insiders know the hacks that avoid delays and snag the best prices. That comes in handy as flight prices have jumped year over year. On May 11, average domestic airfare prices for round-trip economy seats were $383, a 23.2% increase from last year, according to data from the travel search engine Kayak . The average international flight cost $1,097, a 17.8% jump. CNBC Select interviewed three travel experts to learn how you can save while prices are high. …