Most people will, at some point in their lives, need to book a flight. Whether for business or pleasure, booking a flight can be straightforward or a little more complicated depending on certain factors. Once, I had to book a last-minute flight for a work trip, and with no flexibility, I ended up paying far more than I had anticipated. It was a big reminder of how much timing can affect your travel budget.
If a flight is urgent, then the luxury of booking in advance and saving money is often lost, whereas booking a holiday flight months in advance gives you ample room to shop around for the best deals available at that particular point in time. Other factors that affect pricing include the destination, the time of year of travel, and how far in advance you are allowed to book certain flight tickets. If it is limited to a couple of weeks, then you can expect to pay more, but if you’re allowed to book months in advance, then this is where the most significant savings can be found.
Is there a best time to book a flight with all these caveats to consider? If so, when is it best to do so?
When should you book a domestic flight?
If you have the advantage of booking in advance, then this is the best way to arrange domestic flights. A survey by CheapAir.com discovered that, on average, the best time to purchase air tickets for a domestic flight is 64 days before the departure date.
Furthermore, the survey discovered that seasonality is a major influencer on flight pricing. For example, the cheapest flights for summer vacations can be found 67 days before departure. With winter trips, it is 94 days before the departure date and 89 days before a fall trip.
When tickets are first issued for a flight, the prices tend to be high, and then they fall away over time. Three weeks to three months after these tickets are issued is when they are at their cheapest for domestic flights. However, you can expect a price increase if there is a last-minute rush just before the departure date deadline arrives.
When should you book an international flight?
In general, it is best to book early when it comes to international flights, but pricing is also highly dependent on destinations. CheapAir’s survey found that a destination, such as Canada, has the cheapest airfares if tickets are booked two months before departure.
This early booking approach was also found to help customers save money on flights to other parts of the world, including the Caribbean, Mexico, the Middle East, and Central America. The best time to buy flights to destinations in Asia, Africa, and Europe is three months or more prior to the departure date.
Are there actually certain days and times that are the cheapest?
So far, we have discovered that booking in advance and traveling off-peak can help save those people booking flights hundreds of dollars. But are there certain days and times of the week that are best for booking flight tickets that can also save you even more extra cash?
Some flight analysts believe that there are favored days of the week and times of day that can aid travelers in their search for a bargain flight deal. In the U.S., it’s thought that flights are best booked on a Tuesday or Wednesday. International flights are best booked on weekdays, too, but domestic flights are at their cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
However, the most expensive flights are those that are usually booked on Fridays and Sundays during peak times, such as mid-morning through to the early evening.
Tips and tricks for getting the best deals
1. Use airline rewards
It’s not just department stores that run rewards systems for customers! Frequent flyers can also benefit from signing up for certain programs that repay them with points or airline credit.
Airline credit cards are beneficial to those who frequently fly with one particular airline, according to travel expert Nomadic Matt. If you sign up for their credit card, you can collect frequent flier miles and more on all your purchases with the specific airline. This can eventually lead to free travel and other perks like upgrades from economy class.
These cards often come with other extra offers, such as earning extra miles if you spend a certain amount of money on flights in a set timeframe. But remember, they can sometimes come with an annual fee, so always read the small print!
2. Be flexible with your dates
Travel expert Nomadic Matt also recommends being flexible with your travel dates. Flexibility with flight dates is one of the major factors in finding the best deals on flight tickets. This is because you can book your flight on a day, time, and during a season that can guarantee you will save money.
Not having such a relaxed approach would mean that tickets would have to be booked quickly to meet the agreed departure date, and this could mean traveling at peak periods and paying premium rates for flights.
3. Filter searches based on type of destination
Whatever destination or type of holiday you decide to have, it can be helpful to search for individual aspects of a destination, and this can get you a cheaper deal. For example, suppose you are looking for a holiday in Florida. In that case, you could filter the search to South Florida and then filter it further still to individual beach resorts in South Florida, such as Fort Lauderdale. This resort has its own airport and a whole range of entertainment other than glorious beaches, making it an ideal holiday destination.
4. Get price change alerts
There are many ways of getting price change alerts on flights to your chosen destination. Various price alert tools are there waiting, all you have to do is register with them, and they will automatically monitor pricing and update you on your cell phone or by email of any price changes.
Enter your destination, preferred time and date of travel, your departure location, a few personal details, and the sites will do the rest for you.
5. Sign up for airfare deal newsletters
Another way to leave all the hard work of finding the best flight deals behind is by signing up for newsletters or sites that constantly monitor the market for you and then inform you of the latest and best deals that can save you hundreds of dollars.
Best time to book a flight FAQs
When is the best time to book a domestic flight?
For domestic flights, the best time to book is typically 64 days before your departure date. This gives you plenty of time to find the best deals, as prices tend to drop between three weeks and three months after tickets are released.
How far in advance should I book an international flight?
For international flights, booking at least three months in advance is ideal for the best savings. However, some destinations like Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean can have cheaper fares when booked two months in advance.
Are there days or times that are cheaper for booking flights?
Yes! For domestic flights, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to book, while Saturdays also tend to offer lower fares. For international flights, weekdays are typically better, with Fridays and Sundays being the most expensive times to book.
What if I don’t know my exact travel dates? Can I still save money?
Being flexible with your travel dates can help you save money. Many flight search engines allow you to see the cheapest options based on a range of dates.
How can I get alerts for price changes on flights?
You can sign up for price change alerts through flight comparison websites like Kayak or Skyscanner. These tools track flight prices and will notify you when there’s a price drop for your desired route.
Does booking on weekends make a difference in price?
Yes, flights booked on Fridays and Sundays are generally more expensive due to higher demand during these peak travel days. It’s better to book earlier in the week, especially on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, to get the lowest rates.
Are airline rewards cards worth it for booking flights?
Yes, if you travel frequently with one airline, an airline rewards credit card can be a great way to save money. These cards often offer points for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, or other travel perks. Just be sure to check for any annual fees.
How can I find the best deals for holiday travel?
To get the best deals for holiday flights, aim to book well in advance, at least three months before major holidays. Prices for flights during peak holiday seasons tend to rise, so securing tickets early is key.
Can I get cheaper flights by booking multiple tickets at once?
Sometimes, booking multiple tickets at the same time can result in a discount, especially for group travel. However, this isn’t always the case, so it’s worth comparing individual ticket prices versus group rates.
