You Won't Believe What's In Best Time To Book Flights

If you’re like most Americans, you’re planning to travel a lot this year¹. But booking flights on Tuesdays might not be the best strategy anymore. Studies now say Sunday is the cheapest day to book flights, saving you about 6% on domestic and nearly 13% on international flights¹.

Google Flights found that booking on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays saves only a tiny 1.9% over the past five years². The cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. These days can save you hundreds by avoiding busy travel times².

Key Takeaways

Booking flights on Sundays can save you up to 13% on international flights and 6% on domestic flights compared to Friday.
The savings from booking on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays are negligible compared to Saturdays and Sundays.
The best days to fly for cheaper flights are usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
Airlines often increase prices for last-minute flights, so it’s best to avoid booking within 30-45 days before the flight.
Tools like Google Flights can help you track flight prices and determine the best time to book.

Debunking the Myth of Tuesdays

The idea that Tuesdays are the best day to book flights is outdated³. Airlines now use dynamic pricing and AI to change fares often, up to 49 times a day³. This change means booking on Tuesdays is no longer the smart move.

Conventional Wisdom Challenged

Before, airlines would put out sales on Tuesdays, making it cheaper to fly⁴. But now, they don’t stick to a certain day for sales⁴. Wednesday is now the cheapest day to fly, and Sunday is the priciest³.

Booking on Tuesday isn’t always the cheapest anymore because airfare changes a lot³. Airlines often change prices 21 days before flying to catch last-minute travelers. Also, websites that predict prices aren’t always right because many things can change flight costs³.

Day of the Week	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Sunday	Most Expensive	–
Monday	Expensive	–
Tuesday	–	Cheapest
Wednesday	Cheapest	Cheapest
Thursday	–	–
Friday	–	Expensive
Saturday	–	Expensive

To find the best deals, be flexible with your travel dates and check prices on different sites⁴. Airlines have also made it easier to change or cancel flights, helping you find cheaper options⁴.

Best Day to Book Flights: Flexibility is Key

Booking airline tickets on the best day is not just about Tuesdays being the cheapest anymore⁵. Prices change often because of demand, and airlines update their fares. To get the best deals, be flexible with your travel and booking dates.

Google Flights⁵ is a great tool for checking prices and comparing airlines. It lets you see fares for months ahead in a calendar view. With Google Flights, you can get alerts when prices change, helping you make smart choices and save money⁵.

Many airlines now offer flexible ticket changes without extra fees⁵. Booking early can also help. It lets you take advantage of changes or adjustments made by the airline, possibly getting a new flight for the same day at no extra cost⁵.

Google Flights is a top tool for comparing airfares and tracking price changes⁵
Flights are generally cheaper on Tuesdays and Wednesdays compared to Mondays and Fridays⁵
Airlines frequently adjust pricing, so using Google Flights to monitor changes can be beneficial⁵
Increased flexibility with ticket changes and cancellations can help you secure the best deals⁵
Booking in advance allows you to leverage schedule changes or adjustments made by the airline⁵

Being flexible and using tools like Google Flights can help you find the best airline ticket booking day for your trip⁵.

Optimal Booking Window: Plan Ahead

Domestic vs. International Flights

Booking your flights at the right time can save you a lot of money. For domestic flights, the best time to book is about 28 days before you leave. This can save you up to 24% compared to booking last minute⁶.

International flights have a longer best booking time. The best deals are usually found around 60 days before you fly⁶.

Airlines let you book flights almost a year ahead, but booking early doesn’t always mean cheaper prices⁷. For domestic trips, ticket prices drop until they hit the lowest point about 28 days before the flight⁶. For international trips, the best deals are found between 50 and 179 days before, with the best time being around 60 days out⁶.

For peak travel times like summer or winter holidays, book early. For domestic flights, start looking three to seven months ahead. For international flights, start four to 10 months early to get the best prices⁶. Also, the cheapest day to book is Sunday, while Friday is the most expensive for both domestic and international flights⁶.

Flight Type	Ideal Booking Window	Potential Savings
Domestic	28 days before departure	Up to 24%
International	60 days before departure	Varies

Planning ahead and booking at the best times can help you save a lot on both domestic and international flights⁷⁶⁸.

best time to book flights

Strategies for Securing Cheap Flights

To find the best deals on flights, being flexible is crucial. Booking flights that can be changed and rebooking when prices go down can save you money. Services like Capital One Travel’s price drop feature can also help you get the lowest fares⁹.

Signing up for flight deal services can alert you to cheap flights from your preferred airports. Also, using travel credit cards with flight booking perks can give you extra savings and rewards⁹.

Be flexible with your travel dates.
Use price tracking tools to watch flight prices.
Take advantage of travel credit card benefits for booking flights.
Sign up for flight deal newsletters to stay updated.

Being open to different travel dates and carriers, using tools to track prices, and knowing about price changes after booking are key to saving money on flights.⁹

“Sunday is the best day to find cheaper flights, saving travelers up to 13% compared to booking on a Friday.”⁹

Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks report found that Sunday is 13% cheaper for booking international flights compared to other days¹⁰. It also showed that domestic flights are 6% cheaper on Sundays¹⁰.

Expedia recommends booking international flights 60 days ahead and domestic flights 28 days ahead for the best deals. This could save about 10% on international flights and 24% on domestic flights compared to booking too early or too late¹⁰.

Leaving on Monday (for international flights) or Tuesday (for domestic flights) in the summer can save travelers around 15%. This is based on Expedia’s Summer Travel Outlook analysis of summer 2023 bookings¹⁰.

Expedia’s Price Drop Protection feature offers an automatic refund if the flight fare drops after booking. This could save travelers hundreds of dollars¹⁰.

Factors Affecting Flight Prices

Planning your trip? Keep in mind the factors that change flight prices. Seasonal trends, holiday demand, and airport choices can help you find great deals¹¹.

Seasonality is key in flight pricing¹¹. In January, flights average $125. But, flying on a Sunday in November can cost $99 more¹¹. Booking your summer trip 35 days early can save you money¹¹.

Holidays affect flight prices too¹¹. Booking early for Thanksgiving week gets you the best fares¹¹. But, flying on the holiday or near it can save you a lot.

Being flexible with your travel dates and airports can also save you money⁸. Booking flights 1 to 3 months early in off-peak seasons can lead to cheaper fares⁸. Flying from nearby airports can also offer more affordable options.

By knowing these factors, you can find the best deals on flights¹¹⁸. Adjust your travel plans to get the most out of seasonal flight pricing, holiday travel, airport selection, and travel flexibility.

Conclusion

The idea that booking flights on Tuesdays gets you the best deals is no longer true. Airlines change their prices often and there’s no single best day to book¹². To find cheap flights, be flexible with your travel dates and booking times. Use tools to track prices and take advantage of easy flight changes or cancellations.

Plan ahead and be open to different airports and dates. Use travel credit card benefits to save money¹²¹³. For domestic trips, book flights 2-3 months early. For international trips, book 4-6 months ahead¹². Keep an eye on prices and use alerts, newsletters, and websites for flight deals to find the best times to book¹³.

In the changing airline world, being flexible, planning, and booking smartly are key to saving money and having a smooth trip¹²¹³¹⁴. Stay updated with the latest trends to always find cheap flights and enjoy your travel budget.

FAQ

What is the best day of the week to book flights?

There’s no single best day to book flights. Prices change often due to demand and airline pricing. Flying on Saturdays or midweek might save you some money. But, being flexible with your travel dates and booking times is key.

How far in advance should I book my flights?

Booking times vary for domestic and international flights. For international trips, book around 60 days ahead, but no more than four months early. Domestic flights are best booked about 28 days before, which can save you 24% compared to waiting.

What strategies can I use to find the best flight deals?

To find great flight deals, be flexible with your travel dates and use price tracking tools. Booking changeable flights and rebooking when prices drop can save you money. Capital One Travel’s price drop protection and flight deal services can also help you find the cheapest fares. Using travel credit cards with flight booking benefits can give you extra savings and rewards.

How do factors like seasonality and holidays affect flight prices?

Holidays usually mean higher prices because more people travel. But, flying on the holiday or near it can save you money. Tuesdays or Fridays are cheaper for domestic flights, and Wednesdays and Saturdays for international ones. Being open to flying from nearby airports and flexible with your travel dates can also lead to better deals.

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