The Best-kept Secrets of Flight Booking Tips

Booking flights can be tricky, but with smart strategies, you can save a lot. Travelzoo Deal Experts, who have flown over 2 million miles¹, say the secret is in the timing and using airline loyalty programs. These tips can help you get the best deals for your next trip.

When to book your flights is crucial. Flying on the holiday itself can save you a lot, as changing your dates by one day can make a big difference¹. Also, searching for flights midweek is smart, as airlines often start and end sales on Tuesdays and Thursdays².

Booking one ticket at a time, even if you’re traveling with others, can be a smart move. It helps make sure some tickets are bought at the cheapest price¹. For domestic trips, book 6-8 weeks ahead, and for international trips, book about 12 weeks early².

Key Takeaways

• Timing is everything when it comes to booking flights
• Searching for tickets individually can help secure the best deals
• Flexible travel dates can lead to significant savings
• Midweek flights and early morning bookings tend to offer the lowest prices
• Utilizing airline loyalty programs and credit card rewards can maximize your savings

The Ideal Time to Book Flights

Booking flights at the right time is key, whether you’re flying within the country or going abroad. For trips within the U.S., it’s best to book about 6-8 weeks early. This way, you get good deals and a wide choice of flights³.

For flights to other countries, plan even earlier. Aim to book around 12 weeks before you leave. This lets you get cheaper tickets before prices go up³.

Domestic vs. International Flights

For flights within the U.S., start looking for tickets about 28 days early. For trips abroad, look to book around 60 days ahead⁴. Booking early can save you up to 24% compared to last-minute bookings⁴.

Domestic flights tend to be pricier when they first come out, then drop to their lowest price about a month later⁴. For international flights, book no more than four months early. The best time to book is usually around 60 days before your trip. Booking too early can actually cost you more⁴.

The Sweet Spot for Booking

For holidays or busy travel times, book your flights between three to seven months ahead for domestic trips and four to 10 months ahead for international ones⁴. Summer travel should be booked at least six months early⁴.

For summer trips, think about booking in the winter when prices might be lower. Use flight alerts and be ready to book again if prices drop, especially for international flights⁴.

“Airlines often open award space for coveted business- and first-class seats either when the schedules open or at the last minute.”³

The Best Day and Time to Book

Booking flights can be tricky, with prices changing based on the day and time you book. Airlines change their prices often to get more customers and stay ahead⁵. Studies show that booking on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays can save you about 1.9% compared to booking on Saturdays or Sundays⁵. It’s wise to book flights 30-45 days before your trip to avoid last-minute price hikes⁵.

Why Tuesdays are Golden

Many say Tuesday is the best day to book flights. Airlines often start sales on Monday evenings, leading to price matches or drops by Tuesday morning⁶. A study by Expedia found booking on Sunday can save you 5% on domestic and 15% on international flights compared to Friday⁶⁷. Tuesdays and Fridays are good days to book to dodge the early-week rush⁷.

Early Morning Advantage

Booking flights early in the morning can be a smart move. Airlines update their prices overnight, making early morning a great time to find deals⁵. They change prices to draw in customers and beat competitors by the hour⁵⁶. A Google study showed that booking on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays can save you 1.9% on average⁶.

“Booking flights in the early morning hours is the prime time to secure the best deals before others begin their search.”

Cheapest Days to Travel

Choosing the right day to travel can really cut down the cost of your airfare. Smart travelers find that flying out on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is often the cheapest⁸. This is because fewer people travel on these days, unlike weekends when more people fly for both work and fun⁹.

On the other hand, weekends, like Fridays and Sundays, usually cost more. Booking on Sundays can save you about 5 percent on both domestic and international economy class flights⁸. For business class flights within the U.S., Sundays can save you around 7 percent. Booking on Sundays for international business class flights can save you about 24 percent⁸.

Switching your flight to Thursday instead of Sunday can save you about 16 percent on both domestic and international flights⁸. Booking your domestic flight a month early can save you an average of 24 percent. Booking your international flight about 60 days early can save you around 10 percent⁸.

Airlines use complex algorithms to set their prices, considering fuel costs, labor costs, labor shortages, and demand⁸. If you’re flexible with your travel dates and fly midweek or during off-peak times, you can benefit from these price changes and save a lot⁸⁹¹⁰.

In summary, flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or early Thursday mornings can be the cheapest for both domestic and international trips⁸⁹¹⁰.

Maximize Rewards and Loyalty Programs

Travelers can save a lot by using airline loyalty programs and credit card rewards smartly. Being loyal to your favorite airlines lets you earn points for free flights or upgrades¹¹. Many airline credit cards also give big sign-up bonuses and perks like priority boarding and free checked luggage¹¹.

Using “fifth freedom flights” is another smart move. These flights are between two countries not based in the airline’s home country. They can save you a lot of money and give you a better flying experience¹¹.

Airline Credit Cards

Credit card sign-up bonuses can go up to 100,000+ points¹¹. These cards are usually for people with great credit scores (720 and up)¹¹. For example, the American Express® Business Gold Card gives 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $15,000 in the first 3 months¹¹.

Fifth Freedom Flights

Using credit cards that give bonus points for travel can help you earn more points. This is especially true for extra costs like Wi-Fi, bags, food, taxis, and gas on work trips¹². Having airline or hotel status can also give you more perks, like free seat upgrades and extra baggage¹².

Points from credit cards like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, and Capital One Miles can be used in many ways¹¹. You can transfer them to airline partners. Hyatt and Alaska Airlines are top programs for hotels and airlines, respectively¹¹.

“Effective marketing initiatives aid in communicating loyalty program value to members, reducing expectation divergences.”¹³

Learning about airline loyalty programs and credit card rewards can help you save more and make your travels better¹¹¹²¹³.

Beware of Hidden-City Ticketing

“Hidden-city ticketing,” also known as “skiplagging,” can sometimes make flights cheaper. This method involves booking a flight with a layover in the desired destination, but not taking the final leg¹⁴. Many airlines don’t allow this and can cancel your ticket or take legal action if caught¹⁵.

Websites like Skiplagged help travelers find cheaper flights with layovers in places they want to visit¹⁴¹⁵. But, experts warn against it, especially for those who don’t know the risks¹⁵.

Airlines don’t like hidden-city ticketing and might punish passengers¹⁵. This could mean losing your frequent flyer points, being banned, or extra fees¹⁵. Also, it’s hard to manage your bags because you usually need to carry them on¹⁴.

Some see hidden-city ticketing as a clever trick, but others think it’s unfair and could lead to airline action¹⁴. Travel insurance might help if things go wrong, but it won’t cover airline fines for breaking the rules¹⁴.

Hidden-city ticketing might seem tempting, but the risks are bigger than the savings¹⁵¹⁶. Experts say it’s not worth it. Instead, try Google Explore and Going to find deals by setting alerts and being flexible¹⁵.

“Skiplagging is a result of airlines’ pricing schemes, according to Dan Gellert, COO of Skipplagged.com.”¹⁵

Hidden-city ticketing might seem like a good way to save money and be convenient. But, the risks are often bigger than the benefits. Travelers should think about the possible downsides and look for other ways to get the best deals.

Ask for Upgrades at the Airport

You don’t always have to pay a lot for a flight upgrade. By talking to airline staff at the airport, you might get a cheaper business class seat or a better cabin class¹⁷.

Kimberley Lovato, a travel writer, did this and got a big upgrade for less money¹⁷. She asked at the check-in if there were any cheaper business class seats. This shows how talking to people can lead to great deals.

The Power of Negotiation

Many think upgrades are only for those with status or who pay more. But, being friendly and reasonable can help¹⁷¹⁸. Offering a deal that shows you understand the airline’s rules might surprise you with a yes.

• Frequent fliers often get upgrades if there are empty seats in first or business class¹⁷.
• Being kind and respectful to flight attendants can increase your chances of getting an upgrade¹⁷.
• Giving small gifts, like a candy bar or chapstick, can get you special treatment, including upgrades¹⁷.
• Traveling with babies might get you an upgrade for more comfortable seats or bassinets¹⁷.
• Telling gate agents about special occasions, like birthdays or anniversaries, might get you an upgrade¹⁷.

Free upgrades are rare, but this approach can lead to great surprises¹⁸. Knowing the airline’s rules and negotiating can get you into that first-class seat without spending a lot.

Flight Booking Tips

Finding the best deals on flights takes a smart plan. Travelers can use flight booking tips to save money¹⁹. This includes strategies from before, plus new ones.

Being flexible with your travel dates can help. Flights on Thursdays or Fridays might save you up to 10%. Sunday flights are usually pricier¹⁹. Also, flying early in the morning can save a bit, as these flights are less likely to be late and airports are quieter¹⁹.

It’s smart to set up fare alerts and check prices on different sites. Using tools like Skyscanner’s Everywhere search can lead to big savings¹⁹. Sometimes, budget airlines aren’t easy to find on search engines. So, it’s good to visit their websites directly to compare prices¹⁹.

Watching for flash sales or last-minute deals can change the game. Clear pricing can save you almost $300 on spring flights in 2019. Booking early, more than six months ahead, might cost more because airlines start with low prices¹⁹.

By staying informed and open to flight booking tips and travel hacks, you can find cheaper flights¹⁹.

“Incorporating a mix of the best flight booking sites along with direct bookings with airlines can lead to significant savings.”

²⁰

Conclusion

Booking flights can seem tough, but with the right tips, you can find cheap travel. Learn the best times to book flights domestic vs. international²¹. Also, know the best days and times to buy tickets²². This way, you can save more money.

Being flexible with your travel dates²² and comparing prices on different sites²² helps. Use loyalty programs and credit card perks²¹ to save more. This way, you can enjoy visiting new places and save money at the same time.

These tips can help you find the cheapest flights. Look for budget airlines²¹ or try trains and buses²¹ as alternatives. With these tips, you can travel without spending too much.

Follow the advice in this article to make your travel dreams come true without spending a lot. With some planning and smart choices, you can go on amazing trips while saving money. Enjoy your travels!

Source Links

1. Secrets to booking cheap flights: 12 do’s and don’ts
2. Travel Tip – The Best Kept Secret Days to Book, Buy and Fly
3. The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare in 2024 – The Points Guy
4. The Best Time to Book a Flight for Domestic, International, and Summer Travel
5. The Best Day to Book a Flight & Buy Airfare Isn’t What You Think…
6. What’s The Best Day And Time To Book Flights?
7. The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly – NerdWallet
8. What’s The Cheapest Day To Book Flights | Bankrate
9. This is the best time to book your flight for cheaper tickets
10. The best days and months to book cheap airline tickets | Flash Pack
11. A Beginner’s Guide to Traveling on Points and Miles – NerdWallet
12. 3 Ways to Maximize Points on Your Work Trips – NerdWallet
13. How travel loyalty programs maximize customer value – SmartBrief
14. The Ultimate Guide to Hidden City Ticketing: Benefits, Risks, and How to Book
15. A controversial hack to save on plane tickets carries a ‘super big risk,’ says travel expert
16. ‘Skiplagging’ may get you a cheaper flight, but be aware of the risks
17. The Easiest Way to Get a Free Flight Upgrade, According to Flight Attendants
18. The Best Time to Ask for a Flight Upgrade, According to Flight Attendants
19. 8 Costly Mistakes You’re Making When Booking Flights – and How to Avoid Them
20. 27 Tips on Booking Flights for Cheap – Jetsetting Fools
21. Hot Tips For Booking Flights In 2024 – To Travel Too
22. Top 10 Tips For Booking Insanely Cheap Flights in 2024