When Is The Cheapest Time To Book Flights
Real talk, flights are expensive. That’s a fact. And when it comes to travel, I’m all about shopping around to save money. Finding the absolute cheapest time to book flights can be challenging since prices are influenced by various factors like the destination, airline, time of year and demand.
But, there are some general trends and strategies you can consider to get the best deal on flights!
The Cheapest Time To Book Flights
- Tuesday Afternoons: Historically, Tuesday afternoons (between 3 pm and 5 pm Eastern Time) have been considered a the cheapest time to book flights. This is because airlines frequently announce deals and promotions on Monday evenings, and competitors tend to match or undercut these prices by Tuesday afternoon.
- Wednesday Mornings: Some experts also suggest that Wednesday mornings can be a good time to find deals as airlines may adjust prices based on competitor pricing earlier in the week.
- Weekdays Over Weekends: Prices for flights are often cheaper on weekdays compared to weekends. But in general, I’ve found that booking flights that depart or return on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday are less expensive.
- Early Morning or Late Night: Consider booking flights that take off during less popular times of the day. Like early morning or late at night. Flights during these times are often cheaper because they are less desirable for many travelers.
- Avoid Peak Booking Times: Try to avoid booking flights during peak booking times, like holidays, school breaks or major events. During these times, demand is high, and prices rise.
Other Tips for Booking Flights
- Use Fare Comparison Tools: Utilize fare comparison websites or apps to compare prices across different airlines and travel dates. Websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kayak can help you identify the cheapest options for your desired itinerary.
- Set Price Alerts: Sign up for price alerts or newsletters from airlines and travel agencies to receive notifications when prices drop for your preferred routes. This can help you capitalize on discounts and promotions as they become available. I like to set google price alerts for different flights that work for my travel. Then, I wait for email updates when prices drop.
- Book in Advance: While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, booking your flight several weeks to a few months in advance is generally better for securing lower prices. However, it’s essential to balance this with monitoring price fluctuations and being flexible with your travel dates.
- Consider Alternative Airports: Flying into or out of alternative airports near your destination or departure city can sometimes result in cheaper fares. Be sure to compare prices for different airports in the area.
- Use Airline Rewards and Miles: If you’re a member of an airline loyalty program or have accumulated travel miles, consider using them to offset the cost of your flights or to book discounted fares.
- Consider Package Deals: Sometimes booking flights and accommodations together as part of a package deal can be cheaper than booking them separately. Be sure to compare prices to see if this option works for you.
A Few Websites I Recommend:
CHEAPOAIR | A leading provider of airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars and vacation packages.
TRIP.COM | Includes a flight network with over 2 million individual flight routes that connect more than 5,000 cities around the globe. Also features 24/7 English customer service and various other travel products.
AVIASALES | An innovative flight search to help you find the best option for your specific dates, that also offers another period when the cost may be even lower.
COMPENSAIR | A service that offers refunds for flight delays, cancellations or denied boarding.
WAYAWAY | A flight aggregator that provides travelers with the best rates on airline tickets. Users can also purchase the WayAway Plus membership plan, which gives cashback on flights, accommodation, car rentals, tours and more.