Many times due to work or other commitments, you may be limited to what day of the week you can travel or what time your flight can arrive or depart. If this is the case then at least you can save money by booking your flight when the price is generally the lowest. Studies have shown the following:
Best time to book: Tuesday at 3 PM (EST). Why Tuesday? Well, Tuesday is the busiest day for airfare sales. Since Tuesday is when most airlines release airfare sales you can find airlines competing against each other in price. Weekends are the worst day to buy tickets.
There’s such a thing as shopping too early for a flight — in fact, too many people do so. Cheapest domestic tickets: 6 weeks before departure (6% lower). So don’t feel like you need to get ahead of the game. In this case, slow and steady wins the race.
Cheapest international ticket: 4-5 months before departure. This is not a standard rule across the board for all international travel. International fares are determined more by season than they are by destination, so when you're traveling should be a major consideration, right along with the destination you're visiting. If the month you want to travel is in high demand, then book as far out as possible. The farther away and more exotic the destination, the more people book in advance just because of the sheer logistics and cost involved in traveling. Europe in the summertime is in high demand. Winter is a different story. Many years ago I went to London for $99 each way, but boy was it cold.
Remember seasons can also play a role in domestic tickets. The fares will increase when it’s a more common season that people travel to a particular destination. For example, the fares flying to Hawaii in January when it’s colder would cost you less than flying in June when it would be warmer.
Now the airlines know that many people travel for business. With this in mind the highest priced flights are generally Friday and Sunday. Best time to travel:
Wednesday, followed by Tuesday, then Saturday. Many people can not travel mid-week, therefore this is the cheapest day to fly. Yesterday we learned about Matrix for searching for flights. I have attached a calendar showing a sample trip from Los Angeles to New York.
You may be looking at the calendar and thinking, "You told me Wednesday was generally the cheapest day to fly" but on the calendar above you see that November 21 is one of the most expensive. The reason for this is the 21st is the day before Thanksgiving. The airlines know our travel patterns and habits. You want to be at the relatives before Thanksgiving day and not arriving on the actual holiday. For those who want to save money flying, travel on the actual holiday. You will also find the airports are less congested.
Now what flight should you take? The cheapest flight is generally the first
flight in the morning. A while ago a friend needed to go to Hawaii. She was complaining because of the price of the ticket. Her days were not flexible because of work. Using Matrix I found her a flight for almost $200 less than what the travel agent had told her. The trick was she had to take the red eye. She got off work, went to the airport, slept on the flight and saved $200. So not only is the day of the week important but the time of the flight is also important.
Finally, if you are one of those lucky few who has award tickets the best time to book those tickets is 330 days out or two weeks before your trip (if you can wait). Three hundred thirty days is when award tickets are first released and two weeks out is when the airlines can see what flights have availability. If you want that trip to Hawaii definitely book the 330 days before. If you are still new to the mileage earning game and wonder how to earn award tickets, keep reading the blog.
We have talked a lot about airline travel. Monday lets change the topic to hotel savings.
Recap: (cut and paste and keep as a handy guide)
Best time to book: Tuesday at 3 PM (EST). Don't book on weekends.
Cheapest domestic tickets: 6 weeks before departure
Cheapest international ticket: 4-5 months before departure
Best time to travel: Wednesday, followed by Tuesday, then Saturday
Cheapest holiday flight: On the actual holiday
Cheapest flight: First flight in the morning.
Award tickets: 330 days out or 2 weeks before your trip
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