While the season and month can play a large part in your fare total, another important factor often overlooked by consumers is the day of the week. Travelers tend to choose certain days to fly in and out for business or weekend trips, leaving other days out in the cold in terms of purchased fares. According to FareCompare.com, Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly. Tuesday and Saturday are also ideal choices for travelers trying to save money.
It is common knowledge that the sooner you book your flight, the lower the rate. However, it is entirely possible to book your flight too early. Airlines often reduce rates as flight dates grow closer in an effort to court people considering a trip. For those flying domestically, it is best to wait until three or four months before your flight. International travelers should wait until four or five months prior. When you book a year in advance, you are probably not landing the best rate possible.
Shopping for airline tickets during busy holiday seasons is a surefire way to be saddled with a high price for your flight. Peak travel times like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the beginning and end of summer can result in high prices and sneaky service charges. Try booking trips in the spring or fall, away from major holidays to avoid these high prices, if you are flexible on your travel dates.
Save a bit of cash by booking flights during the cheapest time of day, especially if you're flexible about your departure and arrival times. FareCompare.com says that travelers can snatch the cheapest airfare by buying late-night "red-eye" flights, or by buying tickets for the earliest flight of the day. Afternoon hours and dinnertime are also ideal times to buy. You may lose a little sleep, but the difference in price could be worth the extra jet lag.
You will have a better chance of scoring a low rate if you are able to book your tickets far in advance. However, many airlines offer last-minute deals on flights within the next 24 to 48 hours. If you can leave immediately or are not worried about potentially missing a travel opportunity, try waiting until the last minute. Some airlines offer last-minute deals in order to fill empty seats. This is also a smart strategy if your flight is the result of an emergency.
