ELKHART — It's the middle of summer and the last thing you're probably thinking about is booking your holiday travel plans. But some experts say unless you want to shell out some serious cash … book now.

According to an Elkhart Travel agent, 90 percent of their Mexico and Hawaii vacations are already booked for Christmas. And another local agent says warm destinations are only going to get more expensive the longer you wait.

Ronald Schubert, president of TCU Travel, says in the 37 years he's been in the travel business he's seen a lot of ups and downs. But customers may not be ready for what's about to land.

“Chicago to Miami, right now [there are] 10 flights a day, and then in October when the cuts are going to start there are four flights a day — that's going to make a big difference,” Schubert explained.

Analysts predict domestic flights will be cut 9 percent overall come November … just in time for the holiday travel season to take off.

"They should try to make their plans as soon as possible, then they know when they are going and how much it is going to cost,” Schubert added.

With fewer seats to leisure destinations, waiting for the deal is dead. Schubert says to seriously save book your holiday trips now.

“The cruise ships will get full or the flights will be booked,” he said. "You would think on a hot day, sunny day like this, why are people thinking about getting out of South Bend for Christmas and taking a cruise in the sunshine from Los Angeles to Acapulco? But they are, because the veteran travelers realize that the time to make arrangements is now.”

Schubert says another issue that South Bend Regional Airport will have to deal with in the coming days is the Delta-Northwest merger. They could consolidate a lot of flights as well.