How to beat blackout dates and save a bundle

— -- When it comes to travel, it's not just about location, location, location. It's also about timing, timing, timing. And veteran travelers know tweaking your itinerary by as little as 24 hours can make or break a trip—as well as your budget.

But whether your vacation plans overlap with blackout dates, peak seasons or holiday premium surcharges, it's clear not all travel dates are created equal. In all cases, knowledge is power before you book.

Hot dates?

In recent years, blackout dates have been a classic "good news-bad news" for airline frequent flier members. While many airlines and branded credit cards have boasted of the elimination of blackouts and this news has been widely reported, experts say securing award seats is no easier during crunch periods such as the holidays. In fact, in many cases it's harder, as airlines and other travel suppliers still employ sophisticated capacity-control tools to limit availability, even when they don't declare official blackout dates.

In some cases, airline blackout dates remain very much in effect, or they require additional mileage on certain days. US Airways still lists 15 days in 2012 when they apply throughout North America. But that list is supplemented by much more extensive lists for individual cities throughout the U.S., as well as Hawaii and international destinations. And Southwest Airlines notes Rapid Rewards Freedom Awards are subject to "limited" blackout dates.

Even when blackouts have been eliminated, it's still necessary to read the fine print. For example, United Airlines states it has no blackouts on any award bookings; however, its Star Alliance partner airlines do have such dates. The Delta Air Lines SkyMile program notes " blackout dates may apply and are defined by individual carriers." And blackout dates still apply with the American Airlines AAdvantage Vacation Awards Program.

As SmarterTravel.com advises: "Planning around blackout dates is pretty straightforward. The bigger challenge is getting an award seat on a popular flight with severely limited award availability." But blackout dates don't just figure into frequent-flier program redemption. They also signify specific times when sale prices will not apply and discounts will not be applicable.

Airlines for America provides a sobering view of how passenger load factors have soared in recent years. And those high seat occupancies are particularly acute during holidays, especially between Thanksgiving and the first week of a new year, when many flights are maxed out by paying revenue passengers. It's an exceptionally tough time to seek reward seats, nonrevenue travel and deep discounts.

Blacking out the industry

Blackout dates and peak pricing are also common in other travel sectors. Consider the following:

• Rail: For 2012, Amtrak's Guest Rewards program has imposed 24 blackout dates, though members in the elite Select Plus category can redeem during these periods.

• Motorcoach: In recent years Greyhound has imposed both holiday premium surcharges and blackout dates on its lowest advance purchase fares. This year there are 23 blackout days, with a cluster surrounding Christmas and New Year's.