Holiday travelers looking for the best deals online should book before late October, according to Priceline.com, a leader in online and mobile travel. With flight and seat reductions creating more competition for available seats over the holidays, booking sooner rather than later is key. To narrow down the best deals, follow these tips.

Depart and return on less expensive days. For Thanksgiving travelers, the best days to depart are November 20, 21, 24, 25 and 27. For returning trips, the best days to book are November 27 or 28, or Dec. 2

Pick times of the day that are normally less busy. Keep in mind the time of day that you'll be flying. Travelers will find the most affordable seats departing early in the morning (5 to 7 a.m.) or late evening (after 8 p.m.). Mid-day (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is a bit more expensive, but still reasonable. Most expensive are the peak business travel hours (8 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.).

Send those presents on ahead. Gifts for loved ones can mean extra baggage fees, not to mention the security screeners will not be happy to see those wrapped boxes. Save yourself the hassle by mailing or shipping presents in advance (after you've wrapped them, of course).

Weigh and measure your baggage. Check your airline's maximum requirements for checked and carry-on bags to make sure you won't incur extra fees. Note: baggage fees are charged separately for your outbound and return flights.

Source: Priceline.com