What is the best time to book airline tickets? Experts answer
It is a question we have all always asked ourselves: is there a better time/day/hour to get the best quotes and buy [...]
It's a question we've all always asked: is there a better time/day/hour to get the best quotes and buy airline tickets? Or is it merely a urban legend?
In this article:
Let's face it, everyone has their own technique, I for one am a fan of the Tuesday afternoon, some say Saturday at 6 a.m., others exactly 2 months before the flight, many say to wait for the last minute for unsold seats, in short, you name it.
As in most things, a precise and absolute answer. is not there, However, there are some small tricks that can help us unearth the most attractive rates.
Let's start with the origin of the "myth." Decades ago, when the first links more frequently, airline employees were updating flight prices weekly. The Internet was not as widespread, and more experienced users had their own travel agencies of trust warning when there were price changes, often managing to nab the best one.
Now unfortunately this is no longer the case, flight prices update practically in real time, are the algorithms that vary them and depend on a great many factors. How many times have we seen prices change overnight if not from morning to afternoon, too many variables at play.
But then how do you catch the best price?
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The pandemic has significantly changed the habits of booking travelers, many prefer tickets flexible And many companies have introduced cancellations free Or much more flex.
This therefore complicates the strategy of buying at the best price, but there are some interesting tactics that can be followed. Recent data from Expedia suggest a window of time from 28 a 35 days before a domestic flight and 3 to 4 months before for international flights.
The important thing is not to wait less than 21 days before the flight because prices start to rise and never come down, increasing to the 25/30% in the last week. Also important is the day you leave, the weekend obviously has the higher rates than the midweek, ideally leaving and returning in the range between Tuesday and Friday.
When to book summer flights on time
According to CheapAir.com's annual study, summer flights are cheaper about 67 days before departure. Given the peak summer demand, it is good to book at least 5 weeks before the flight.
When to book fall flights on time
Fall flights seem to be among the most advantageous, the summer season having just ended, prices are decreasing as well as flights. Booking a pair of months before the flight would be ideal, better for late September and definitely before Halloween because prices are starting to rise.
When to book winter flights on time
According to CheapAir.com for a winter trip, it would be the case to book 68 days first. The best rates are found toward mid-September, 7% prices begin to rise two weeks before Christmas.
When to book flights in spring on time
In general, the spring period is quite long and allows for more flexibility in booking flights, unless you travel on public holidays such as Easter. You can book about 45 days before departure, but always beware of the holidays or to wait 2 weeks before departure otherwise the price will increase by the 45%.
How far in advance do you need to book to go to America?
The United States is one of the most coveted and many are wondering when is the best time to book a flight to the US. According to Hopper's data, the best time to book is 91 days before the trip, paying attention to the holidays, Better to book at a "dead time."
CheapAir.com instead suggests a longer window, about 120 days before the flight, so that there is more room to maneuver.
What is the best day to book an airline ticket?
If we have to repeatedly search for a flight, many people use the trick of "navigating in incognito" to avoid being "tracked" and catching ads. Pero it is good to know that incognito browsing simply avoids registering the chronology of the computer and not to not "leave a trace" on the Internet -- for that there are VPNs.
That said, it would seem that the days immediately after some holidays flight prices drop a few percentage points, some say the Tuesday and the Wednesday are the best days for both traveling and booking flights, we don't run into the commuters leaving on Monday and not even with the vacationers who prefer weekends.
Last minute deals double-edged sword
If you are planning a flight that you have been wanting for months better do not shrink at the last minute hoping for a last minute, you may be left without a ticket, so follow the tips we gave you in our guide.
If, on the other hand, you do not have planned nothing and you throw yourself carefree in search of a last minute getaway, then how can you not take advantage of airline newsletters! Backpack and off you go on a last minute 3-day weekend at crazy prices.
Some time ago a last-minute offer arrived by email to my brother, leaving in 72 hours, fare 9,90€ round trip Milan-Luxembourg, hand luggage including, how could anyone ever refuse? We took a couple of days with 4 friends and visited the capital and Vianden Castle.
What tricks do you use to scout out the best deals for your vacation? Do you book on a particular day or do you let your instincts guide you? Let us know in the comments!
