Finding the best day and time to book a flight can be tricky, but it’s important to do your research if you want to save money. There are a number of factors that can affect flight prices, including the day of the week, the time of year, and the popularity of your destination.
In general, the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These days are less popular with business travelers, so airlines often offer lower fares to fill seats. The most expensive days to fly are typically Fridays and Sundays. These days are more popular with both business and leisure travelers, so airlines can charge higher fares.
The time of year you travel can also affect flight prices. Prices are typically highest during peak travel times, such as the summer months and holidays. If you can travel during the off-season, you’re more likely to find cheaper fares.
Finally, the popularity of your destination can also affect flight prices. If you’re flying to a popular tourist destination, you’re likely to pay more than if you’re flying to a less popular destination.
Based on the factors above, here are the best days and times to book flights:
- Days of the week: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Time of year: Off-season (winter months, shoulder seasons)
- Time of day: Early morning or late evening flights
How to find the best deals on flights
Here are a few tips for finding the best deals on flights:
- Be flexible with your travel dates. If you can, try to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or during the off-season. You’re more likely to find cheaper fares these days.
- Book your flights in advance. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get a good deal. Airlines often release their cheapest seats first, so it’s important to book early if you want to save money.
- Use a flight search engine. Flight search engines allow you to compare prices from different airlines all at once. This is a great way to find the best deal on your flight.
- Sign up for email alerts. Many airlines and travel websites offer email alerts for flight deals. This is a great way to be notified when there are sales or special offers on flights to your desired destination.
Additional tips for saving money on flights
Here are a few additional tips for saving money on flights:
- Consider flying into or out of a smaller airport. Smaller airports often have lower landing fees, which can translate into lower fares for passengers.
- Look for package deals. Many airlines and travel websites offer package deals that include flights, hotels, and rental cars. This can be a great way to save money on your overall travel costs.
- Use a travel credit card. Many travel credit cards offer rewards points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. This is a great way to save money on your travel costs over time.
Conclusion
By following the tips above, you can find the best deals on flights and save money on your next trip. Just remember to be flexible with your travel dates, book your flights in advance, and use a flight search engine to compare prices.
Additional information
Here is some additional information about the best days and times to book flights:
- Domestic flights: The cheapest days to fly domestically are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The most expensive days to fly domestically are Fridays and Sundays.
- International flights: The cheapest days to fly internationally are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The most expensive days to fly internationally are Fridays and Saturdays.
- Peak travel times: The peak travel times for domestic flights are the summer months (June-August) and the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s). The peak travel times for international flights are the same, plus spring break and Easter.
- Off-season travel: The off-season for domestic and international flights is the winter months (November-February). The shoulder seasons are March-May and September-October.
Most Asked FAQs About Booking Flights
1. What are the best days to book flights?
The best days to book flights are typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These days are less popular with business travelers, so airlines often offer lower fares to fill seats. The most expensive days to fly are typically Fridays and Sundays. These days are more popular with both business and leisure travelers, so airlines can charge higher fares.
2. What time of year is best to book flights?
The best time of year to book flights is during the off-season (winter months, shoulder seasons). Prices are typically highest during peak travel times, such as the summer months and holidays.
3. What time of day is best to book flights?
The best time of day to book flights is early morning or late evening. Airlines often offer lower fares on these flights because they are less popular with travelers.
4. How far in advance should I book my flights?
The earlier you book your flights, the more likely you are to get a good deal. Airlines often release their cheapest seats first, so it’s important to book early if you want to save money. However, there are also times when airlines offer last-minute deals, so it’s worth checking for those as well.
5. How can I find the best deals on flights?
There are a few ways to find the best deals on flights:
- Use a flight search engine to compare prices from different airlines all at once.
- Sign up for email alerts from airlines and travel websites to be notified when there are sales or special offers on flights to your desired destination.
- Consider flying into or out of a smaller airport. Smaller airports often have lower landing fees, which can translate into lower fares for passengers.
- Look for package deals that include flights, hotels, and rental cars. This can be a great way to save money on your overall travel costs.
- Use a travel credit card that offers rewards points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
6. What are the most popular flight search engines?
Some of the most popular flight search engines include:
- Google Flights
- Kayak
- Skyscanner
- Expedia
- Priceline
7. What are the most popular airlines?
Some of the most popular airlines include:
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
8. What are the most popular travel credit cards?
Some of the most popular travel credit cards include:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
- Citi® Double Cash Card
- American Express® Gold Card
- Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Mastercard®
9. What are some things to keep in mind when booking a flight?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when booking a flight:
- Be flexible with your travel dates if possible. You’re more likely to find cheaper fares if you can fly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, during the off-season, or at less popular times of day.
- Book your flights in advance. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get a good deal.
- Use a flight search engine to compare prices from different airlines all at once.
- Consider flying into or out of a smaller airport. Smaller airports often have lower landing fees, which can translate into lower fares for passengers.
- Look for package deals that include flights, hotels, and rental cars. This can be a great way to save money on your overall travel costs.
- Use a travel credit card that offers rewards points that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses.
10. What are some common mistakes to avoid when booking a flight?
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when booking a flight:
- Booking your flight at the last minute. This is typically the most expensive way to book a flight.
- Not comparing prices from different airlines. Flight prices can vary significantly, so it’s important to compare prices from different airlines before you book.
- Not checking for baggage fees. Some airlines charge baggage fees, so it’s important to check for these fees before you book your flight.
- Not reading the fine print. Be sure to read the fine print of your flight booking before you book to make sure you understand the terms and conditions.
I hope this FAQ has been helpful. If you have any other questions about booking flights, please feel free to ask.