Finding affordable airfare is a full-time job for the frequent flyer. You want to get the best possible deal so that you can keep traveling without breaking the bank.
Flights are getting more expensive but there are still plenty of options available for affordable travel. You just have to know when to look!
These are the top 5 tips for booking cheap flights according to new data:
Book At The Right Time
Did you know the price of a flight will change several times over its lifetime?
In fact the fare for an average flight will change a whopping 49 times between being released and departing.
This can make it very difficult to know when to book to get the right price. But research has shown that the best day to book your airline ticket is on average 42 days before you fly. This is when flights are at their cheapest.
Of course sometimes this can be earlier or later for some routes but this is a good benchmark. The prime booking window is considered between 21 and 74 days before you fly if you want to bag a bargain.
Plan In Advance For The Most Choice
If you value choice over price then you might not want to leave it so close to your departure date to book your flight.
According to cheapair.com passengers who book their plane tickets 315 to 206 days in advance will benefit from wider choices.
This is key if you are traveling as part of a large group that wants to be seated together or if you are taking an off-path route that isn’t readily available and is likely to sell out.
Want peace of mind but don’t want to break the bank? Travelers who book 205 to 75 days in advance can net considerable savings compared to early bookers but will still have the peace of mind of booking their travel well in advance.
Save Money By Month
It stands to reason that the summer months of July and August as well as the holiday period between November and December will be the most expensive times to fly because demand is so high. Flight prices hit a particular peak during the week of Thanksgiving in November.
So if you want a vacation on a tight budget then book your flights to get away in the cheapest months instead. The cheapest months to fly are in January followed by February.
The shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall will also save you money when compared to the cost of summer flights.
If you’re not traveling as part of a wider family group then traveling outside of the main school vacation period is a sure-fire way to save money on the cost of your flights. You’ll also benefit from having fewer kids running around your resort when you arrive.
Fly On The Right Day
Some days are traditionally more expensive to fly than others. It makes sense that weekend flights are the priciest with travelers hoping to get the most from their paid time off. But not all weekdays are created equal.
The cheapest day to fly is Wednesday with flights in the middle of the week an average of $102 cheaper than on Sunday.
If you can’t fly on a Wednesday then Tuesday is the 2nd cheapest day to book your flights. You can expect to save $99 per ticket on average when comparing Tuesday to Sunday prices.
Considering this when planning your next trip could save you a good chunk of money and as an added bonus airports tend to be quieter and calmer in the mid-week period too.
Shop Around
Some travelers are loyal to a particular airline or enjoy the convenience of flying from their closest airport. But if there are several airports in your city and more than one airline flying your chosen route then shopping around is a great way to make savings.
Being flexible with when and where you fly from, as well as with the airline you use, will open more options for you and make it easier to find the right flight at the best possible price.
Don’t be afraid to shop around for a deal, and consider pricing your flights on different booking platforms too.
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