The Best Days to Book Flights and When to Fly

Traveling is an exciting adventure, but it can also put a dent in your wallet. Many budget-conscious travelers want to know the best day to purchase airline tickets and the cheapest day to fly. However, the ideal day can vary depending on your destination and travel dates.

While there isn’t a magic day that guarantees unbeatable flight deals every time, certain days of the week are more likely to offer cheaper bookings and flights. In this article, we’ll discuss what we know about the best days for booking and flying, as well as additional tips and tricks to help you snag fantastic travel deals.

When Is the Best Day to Book a Flight?

The truth is, there isn’t one universal best day to book flights. Historically, airlines have launched new sales on Tuesdays, leading many to believe that Tuesday is the best day to buy airline tickets. While this can often be the case, it’s not always true. Flight prices are constantly changing in today’s market, and airline ticket sales patterns are highly unpredictable.

For example, airlines can offer flash sales or lower costs for a short time on any day of the week to match a competing airline’s pricing. Adjusting to real-time demand, the price of a flight can even change based on the time of day. Ticket prices from Tuesday morning can jump by Tuesday night.

Since airline ticket price changes are unpredictable, waiting until Tuesday to book flights may not be the best option. The best day to book flights is whichever day a deal pops up, whether it’s Tuesday or any other day of the week. Fortunately, modern technology can help you stay on top of these ever-changing prices.

To determine the best day to book flights, set up a price alert. It can be challenging to keep track of the constant flight fluctuations manually.

Setting up a price alert is like having a personal assistant helping you find the best deals. Several options are available, such as Hopper, Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner, which can scour the web for the best deals and notify you via email when flight prices drop. Setting up a price alert is a top tool for finding the best day to book airline tickets.

When Is the Best Time to Fly?

The cheapest day to fly differs for domestic versus international flights. Here’s what you need to know:

Domestic Flights

Tuesday and Wednesday are often less in demand and, therefore, considered the cheapest time to fly domestically. Sunday is typically the most expensive day to fly, regardless of whether you’re traveling in economy, business class, or first class. If Tuesday and Wednesday aren’t viable travel days for you, try Saturday and Monday. They’re the next cheapest days to fly and can save you up to 15% per ticket.

International Flights

International flight prices don’t fluctuate as much as domestic flights. If you’re flying abroad, consider departing on Wednesday or Thursday. You can save up to 12% on ticket prices by flying on these days. If possible, avoid flying on Sunday, which is typically the most expensive day of the week for international travel.

More Tips to Save Money When Booking a Flight

In addition to keeping the best day to book flights and the cheapest day to fly in mind, there are a few other things you can do to minimize costs when booking your ticket:

Stay Flexible

While it’s not always possible, being flexible with travel dates can potentially save you hundreds of dollars. Research other travel dates for better deals. You can usually use the calendar view on airline search pages to see the cost of flights on different days. Also, consider looking into nearby airports that may be cheaper to fly into.

Book in Advance

The best time to book domestic flights is often one to three months in advance. For international flights, you should book even further in advance — two to eight months out.

Prices can surge in the weeks leading up to your desired travel dates. Plus, if you wait until the last minute, it might be difficult to get a good seat or even a seat on the plane at all!

Rebook for a Cheaper Price

If you’ve already booked your flight and you see a flash sale with a better deal, don’t worry. You may be able to cancel your previously booked flight and save money by booking at a lower price. First, check your change and cancellation policy.

Many airlines have adopted flexible plans these days. Review the policy to see if there is a fee for canceling or changing.

Based on the cost, if any, and the price of the new discounted fare, decide how you can save the most money. However, keep in mind that many airlines will only provide you with a travel voucher when canceling.

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