You know the feeling when you need to book a flight, but it seems you are trying to solve a secret code for the best deal. Your booking time and travel dates can affect your budget. Ever wondered why that ticket to your favorite spot is cheap one moment and then sky-high the next? We're going to break down the secrets behind flight pricing. We'll cover when to book for the best deals. We'll share tricks for those crazy-low fares. And we'll show you how to pick cheap travel dates.
When Is the Best Day to Book a Flight?
Contrary to traditional belief, there is no single "best" day to book a flight. Airlines used to publish sales on Tuesdays. Travelers knew this was the best day to book the best deals. That's no longer the case. Flight prices fluctuate a lot. Airlines often have flash sales. They also adjust fares based on demand and competition. Ticket prices can change throughout the day. A morning deal may be unaffordable by the evening.
Tuesday isn't the best day every time you want to buy something. Instead, the best day to book a flight is whenever you think you've got a decent price. Technology, luckily, comes into play with this step. This is where setting up price alerts can make a difference. Use services like Hopper, Google Flights, Kayak, or Skyscanner. They will track your airfare and notify you when prices drop. It's like a personal assistant getting you the lowest fare.
When to Fly
The best time to fly depends on whether you are flying within your country or out of the country. Here is a summary of budget-friendly days of travel.
Domestic Flights
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often the cheapest days to fly domestically. Demand is low, and airlines have better rates. In turn, Sunday is generally the most expensive day to travel. If Tuesdays and Wednesdays don't work, then try Saturdays or Mondays. They're the next best days to fly and can save you up to 15% on the ticket.
International Flights
Fare swings aren't as wild for international flights. Flying Wednesdays or Thursdays can help travelers save up to 12%. Sunday proves the priciest international flying day, so skip it to save.
Fly On Holidays, Or As Far From It As Possible
No matter whether it's the Fourth of July or Labor Day, holidays are a different animal altogether. Holidays see more fliers. So, there are fewer plane seats and higher prices.
Book as far in advance as possible for the best deals. With many airline’s liberal cancellation policies, it's wise to book a decent rate now. You can rebook if the flight price drops later. Google Flights' 2023 insights say to book a mid-December holiday flight 71 days in advance. It's the best time.
This can make a huge difference in many cases, so you might get the best day by flying further away from the holiday. If it's a Monday holiday, flying the Tuesday before could be cheaper than flying the Friday before. You could also look at flying on the holiday itself.
More on How to Save Money When You Book a Flight
Considering the best day to book flights and the cheapest day to fly, here are some other ways to ensure minimum cost while booking your ticket. Be flexible with dates; book in advance or don't hesitate to rebook if you happen to spot a better price.
Keep Flexible
Sure, it's not always possible, but flexibility with travel dates can save you sometimes hundreds of dollars. Check for alternative dates of travel to find the best prices. You can usually use the calendar view most airline search pages have to check the price of flights on different days. Besides, it's best if you also consider checking nearby airports that are cheaper to fly into.
Book in Advance
The best time to book a flight in-country is usually one to three months in advance. If you will be flying internationally, then you may want to book even further in advance, two to eight months out. In addition, if you wait until the very last minute, it may be hard to get a good seat or any seat at all on the plane.
Rebook for a Cheaper Price
If you have already booked your flight and then see a flash sale with a better deal, don't worry. You may be able to cancel the previously booked flight and save money by booking at a lower price. First of all, check your change and cancellation policy. Nowadays, many airlines are taking up flexible plans. Check the policy if there is any fee for canceling or changing. Knowing the cost, if any, and what the price is of the new, discounted fare, determine how you can save the most money.
Keep in mind that most airlines will only give you a travel voucher when you cancel. No matter when you book your flights, use an eSIM at your destination to stay connected. With an eSIM from esimmer, you will be instantly joined to a mobile network the moment you arrive. We are also pretty affordable and straightforward to use. Visit the esimmer website. Select a destination and an eSIM package. Then install and activate the eSIM. Easy as that.
