When Is the Best Time to Book a Flight?
Getting away on a long-awaited vacation or unexpected business trip are times when most people want to get the best deal possible. As anyone who has gone through the process of booking a flight can attest, however, the prices can be unpredictable. That’s why it’s important to understand when the best time is to book a flight. In this article we’ll go over the tips and strategies that could help you find the time that’s best for you – and save money at the same time.
Factors That Impact When The Best Time To Book Flights
There are a number of factors that affect when is the best time to book a flight. Having an understanding of the these factors can help make sure you get the best deal on your flight. The following are some of the most influential:
- The Day of the Week
It’s widely accepted that Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to buy tickets. That’s because on Monday, airlines launch sales for the week. These sales are then adjusted on subsequent days as the airlines respond to competition and deals within the industry.
- The Time of the Day
Buying tickets late in the evening is likely to give you the best deals. That’s when airlines tend to adjust the prices of tickets due to the lack of competition from other airline.
- The Season
During peak travel season, tickets tend to cost much more. This is true for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving but its best to book flights early for these days. Generally, the ideal time frame to book flights for a peak travel period is 2–3 months ahead of time.
- Length of Stay
Longer duration flights tend to cost much more than shorter duration flights. So if you want to save money book the shorter duration flight. As a rule, the shorter the duration of the flight, the better deals you’ll find.
- Flight Route
Flights at popular tourist destinations are usually more expensive than flights on a more common route. Popular international destinations like London, Paris and Rome can have very high ticket prices for flights.
Strategies for Getting Low Cost Flights
Once you’ve fully considered all of the factors that go into booking the best flight, it’s important to have a strategy in mind. Here are a few examples of the strategies that can be used to get the best deals on flights:
- Early Bird
Booking your ticket as early as possible (3 to 4 months in advance) can get you a good deal. Airlines prefer to avoid seating empty, so often times will release seats at discounted rates in order to fill them.
- Last Minute
Booking flights last minute can often times be cheaper because airlines are looking to fill seats that are otherwise vacant and adjust ticket prices accordingly. However, last minute tickets tend to be riskier as chances that your preferred flight has been booked at the lower rates tend to be slim.
- Set Price Alerts
Using online search engines is a great way to keep tabs on the changing flight prices. Almost all online search engines are equipped with a feature that allows you to set price alerts, so that you can monitor the changing prices of your desired flight and book it when the price reaches your desired value.
- Use Points
Loyalty programs are an excellent way of saving money when booking flights. Air rewards points can be accumulated and used to purchase tickets at discounted rates or even for free.
- Sign Up For Newsletters
Signing up for an airline’s newsletter is another great way to stay updated on the latest flight deals. Airlines usually distribute emails letting people know when they can get ticket prices at discounted rates or cheaper.
- Aggregator Platforms
Aggregator platforms are great tools that can help you get the best deals. These platforms are search engine that crawl all of the websites offering flights and present customers with the cheapest options.
- Make One Way Tickets
Buying one way tickets can be cheaper than buying return tickets. This is particularly true when you’re travelling across multiple cities, as airlines tend to offer discounted tickets when travelling from city to city one way.
When it comes to booking a flight, it pays to be prepared. Being aware of the factors that can determine the cost of a flight as well as the strategies that can help you get the best deal could make all the difference when it comes to your travel budget. While there’s no sure-fire way to guarantee the cheapest flight, being aware of the various factors that go into booking the best flight can definitely help you save money.
