Flying can be a major hassle with all of the baggage restrictions, security procedures, crowded airports and additional fees that airlines charge. There are ways you can make flying a little more stress-free and save some money in the process. By knowing the best time to purchase airline tickets, in terms of when to travel and the right time to actually purchase your ticket, you can save big money on your next flight.
No matter where you decide to travel, each destination has an off-season. Not only are airline tickets less expensive during this time, but the crowds are lighter, the hotel room rates are lower and you can usually find better deals on activities like entertainment and dining. To determine the off-season for your destination, contact the board of tourism or visit its website. Be sure to look into any potential pitfalls associated with the off-season for your destination. If weather is an issue, you may want to purchase travel insurance.
The cheapest days to fly--and the days that airports are the least crowded--are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Try to leave for or return from your vacation on at least one of these days. As an added bonus, hotel rates on weekdays are typically less expensive as well. Compare flight prices by entering a few different dates into the flight searches on sites such as Priceline and SideStep. For example, test to see if a lower fare is available if you fly on a Tuesday versus a Wednesday or a Thursday.
Even if you find a great deal, don't jump the gun. There is a chance that your ticket may drop in price between the time you first find the fare and the date of your departure. You can check this at Bing.com/travel. Bing's 7-Day Price Predictor will tell you if it thinks your ticket price will rise, fall or stay the same in the next seven days. It also will give a confidence percentage (such as 85 percent confident in the prediction) and even estimate the amount it thinks the ticket price will rise or fall. Simply search for flights on Bing.com/travel with your departure and arrival information, and you will see the price predictor box in the upper left-hand corner of the results page. If the prediction says to wait to buy, wait seven days and then check again. Sometimes the price will fall for several consecutive weeks.
