On his podcast, Clark Howard answers real reader questions on money, credit, debt, retirement, travel, and more, along with co-host Christa DiBiase.

Clark's answer: Because you live in Florida and the Middle Eastern routing isn't ideal right now, your most economical strategy is booking two separate tickets. First, buy a domestic flight from Florida to the West Coast, checking fares out of Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Then, look for a completely separate ticket from the West Coast to Thailand. Since January is generally cheaper for an exotic vacation than February, and you're already in the prime booking window, you still have a decent shot at finding a good rate.

When searching for flights, I like comparing prices across Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper to see what options exist to get you across the Pacific. Just make sure that when you actually buy the ticket, you book directly or through a reputable site — don't get lured in by sketchy, unknown third-party vendors.

As for whether I like Thailand, I absolutely love it. I’ve visited over and over again, and we’ve even taken two company staff trips there over the years. You are going to love being there; I don’t know anyone who’s visited who didn't fall in love with it.