Best Days of the Week to Book Plane Tickets
If you are planning to travel, the worst day to book your flight would be on a Friday. According to data from various sources, most airlines charge a lot during Fridays. If getting a cheap bargain is important to you, give that day a wide birth unless you have no other option.
However, you can get great deals on other days of the week. When mixed in with a number of other great tips, you can significantly lower the amount you pay for your ticket. There are some things you should be aware of when planning your trip.
For instance, most business travelers book their flights during the weekdays. At this time, they have no option but to travel. With airlines being aware of this, they will try to squeeze as much from them as possible. Thus, your trip during the weekdays is going to be quite expensive no matter what you do.
You should also keep in mind that nonstop trips are quite pricey. However, such trips offer you a lot of conveniences. Thus, if you are in a hurry to get to your desired destination, you should consider such a trip.
If you choose a connecting flight, you can save quite a lot of money. However, you have to be prepared to take longer during such a trip. If the price is the main issue you are thinking of, a connecting flight can save you as much as 50%. The more connection there are, the more you will save.
It is also important to remember that buying multiple tickets together can be quite pricey. Airlines require that all tickets bought together to be the same price. Thus, if an airline has only one ticket selling for $50 and the rest are $100, you will pay $200 if you pay for multiple tickets. If you buy each ticket individually, you will only pay $150.
If you plan to travel during the peak season, you should book your ticket at least two months in advance. It will assist you to get the lowest prices. If you plan to go on an international flight, you should book your flight at least five months in advance. If you book your flight at the last minutes, you are likely to be hit by high charges.
Another point worth noting is that flights cost less in bigger airports or hubs. If you choose to go through a big airport, it would cost you significantly less. However, bigger airports could be located some distance from your place of residence.
Even with the increased distance, your flight will still likely be cheap compared to booking from a small airport. Additionally, consider flying during times when most people prefer to stay at home. It includes periods such as meal times and overnight.
At this time, airports lower their prices enough that it makes it worth the sacrifice. You should also consider using fare alert applications. They can be installed on your smartphone, and they offer you a lot of conveniences.
Besides that, you must always compare fares. There are many airlines in the country, and they are always trying to outdo each other. If you are lucky enough, you could get a cheap flight to whichever destination you want to go.
One of the best ways to get good prices is to be flexible with your flight time. That means if you plan to go somewhere, ensure that you give yourself a day or two. If you are locked into a specific time you are likely to end up paying a lot. If you are flexible with your booking, you have a bit more space to wiggle, which means you can take advantage of a good deal if one comes along.
Traditionally, it has been reported that Tuesday is usually the cheapest day to book your flight. The reason is that flight data of the entire week arrives on Monday evening. When airline executives get to their offices on Tuesday morning, they will ask for lower prices on to make up for low ticket sales.
However, this trend has changed a bit in recent times. Now, the weekends are the cheapest times to take your flight. The reason is that most leisure travelers do so on the weekends. Each airline wants to entice as many of them to use their services as possible.
Another way to get lower prices is to book using your debit card. However, you will not receive the financial protection from airline failure as you would with a credit card. You should also watch out for paying for extras.
For instance, some site will tempt you into buying extra insurance, which you may already have. You should always get rid of any extras before making any bookings to avoid being unfairly charged.
If you want to keep your flight cheap, consider using a travel agent. He or she is always up to date on the cheapest flights available. Thus, you know that you get the best value for money. Additionally, a travel agent can organize for your entire trip, meaning you do not have to worry about things such as travel to your hotel.