Save money with our guide to the best time to buy or fly
Do you want to get the best deals on flights? Wherever you are heading and whether it is for business or leisure, you won't want to spend more on flights than you have to. But, can you really save money by booking or flying on certain days? We have done some investigating for you.
- The magic of Tuesday (or not)
- Plan ahead (but not too far)
- Pick the day you fly
- Time to spare — pick the cheapest route
- Check out the hidden costs
- The cheapest days of the year
The magic of Tuesday (or not)
Ask anyone the best day of the week for booking flights and they will probably say Tuesday. Is this actually true or an urban myth? To some extent in the United States, it is true. Keep on eye on those screens mid-afternoon as airlines usually release their weekly prices on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. This leads to competition among providers.
Plan ahead (but not too far)
There is a finely balanced window between booking early and booking nearer your departure date. The window for the best deals on domestic flights in the States is usually between three months and 30 days before departure. For long-haul tickets, plan ahead and buy them between five and a half months and six weeks before your travel date.
However, tickets for flights on public holidays such as Christmas, New Year, and Thanksgiving are always more expensive and always in demand. You might still save a little by booking as far in advance as possible.
Pick the day you fly
Well done, you've saved some money by booking your flight ticket on Tuesday at 3 p.m., but choosing the day you actually fly can also save your pennies. For domestic flights within the USA, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly. You are not competing with weekenders or business travelers flying to their destination on a Monday and returning on a Friday. For international flights, Monday through to Friday are almost always cheaper than weekend departures.
As well as being savvy about your departure date, think about the time of day. Getting up in the early hours and getting yourself to the nearest airport can be a drag, but traveling at unsocial hours can save you lots of money. If you are happy to travel overnight to your destination and catch up on some sleep when you arrive, you can also save those dollars.
Time to spare - fly the cheapest route
While most of us prefer the convenience of non-stop flights, connecting flights both within the United States and internationally can work out cheaper, especially if one of the legs falls on a cheaper day of the week. Before, heading to the checkout, check out your schedule and see if the savings you could make are worth the inconvenience of longer journeys.
Check out those hidden costs
While being clever about choosing the day you buy your ticket or take your flight to save money, don't forget to take into account 'hidden' costs that might wipe out these savings. Do you need to pay for checked baggage? Does the airport you are flying from involve a lengthy and expensive journey to get to? These factors may cost you more than you save by booking a cheap flight on a Tuesday!
The cheapest days of the year!
There are a few days of the year when you really will save money on buying airline tickets. Check out:
Black Friday Traditionally the day after Thanksgiving, this is when high-street and online retailers and service providers slash their prices. It is a great time to snap up deals on flights.
Cyber Monday This follows Black Friday and sees even more discounts on offer especially for online purchases.
Small Business Saturday Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this Saturday is when smaller businesses including smaller airlines showcase their offers.
26th December (Boxing Day) Around the world, the 26th December is when post-Christmas sales kick-off. Airlines are no exception so get online early for great discounts.
With a little knowledge about the best days to buy your ticket along with a little time to spare, it is easy to get the best deals on flights. At BudgetAir, we can help by making it easy to compare flights to your destination.