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ByGreg, CFA Reading Time: 7 minutes
Home » Travel » When to Get the Cheapest Flight: It Is Not Tuesday!

When to Get the Cheapest Flight: It Is Not Tuesday!

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When Is the Best Time To Buy Cheap Flights; People Walking In Airport
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Are you looking for the best day to book a flight? You may have heard that Tuesdays are the best days to book flights, but that is not necessarily true. Many factors come into play when booking a flight, and it can be challenging to determine the best day.

Flexibility is the most important factor in finding the best day to book a flight. You can often find cheaper flights if you can be flexible with your travel dates.

Midweek flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are cheaper than weekend flights, so if you have some flexibility in your travel dates, try booking midweek.

Another factor that comes into play is timing. Airlines typically release their cheapest fares on Tuesday afternoons or Wednesday mornings, so if you’re looking for the best deals, try booking at this time.

However, remember that these fares may last only a short time as other travelers will try to take advantage of them.

It’s important to remember that there are no guarantees when finding the best day to book a flight. Prices can fluctuate quickly and unpredictably, so it’s important to keep an eye out for good deals and act fast when they appear!

Overall, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to determining the best day to book a flight. However, by being flexible with your travel dates and timing your purchases carefully, you can often find great deals on airfare!

Table of Contents

  • The Best Day to Book Flights
  • What is the Best Day to Travel?
  • Why Do The Prices Of Flights Change?
  • 4 Tips to Find Cheap Flights
  • Online Tools
  • Key Takeaways
  • Final Thoughts
  • Next Up From ChaChingQueen

The Best Day to Book Flights

It’s widely believed that Tuesdays are the best days to book flights. But that is a myth. The best day to book flights is when you find the best deal. Almost always, the earlier you book your flights, the better. 

According to Expedia’s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report report, U.S. travelers can save on airfare by booking and traveling on certain days to avoid flight delays.

Additionally, they recommend booking domestic flights at least 21 days in advance and international flights at least 28 days in advance to get the best prices. Furthermore, they suggest booking airfare on Sundays for up to 15% savings. 

Airline tickets are generally the least expensive when first released but tend to become more costly as they get snatched up. Business flyers who pay for last-minute trips with their company’s expense account make it difficult to bag a good deal at the last minute, although it does happen. 

Expedia reports that Sunday is the best day to book a flight for domestic travelers, potentially saving up to 5%, and international passengers may save up to 10%. Factors like travel location and season can influence these stats, however.

Related: Top Travel Tips From Frugal Frequent Flyers

What is the Best Day to Travel?

Traveling can be expensive, but with a bit of flexibility and research, you can find the best deals on flights. While there is no definitive best day to book flights, certain days tend to have cheaper rates than others.

Monday, Sunday, Thursday, and Friday are generally the busiest days for air travel and, therefore, the most expensive. 

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days of the week to fly. This is because most people prefer to travel over weekends, and airlines adjust their prices accordingly.

Why Do The Prices Of Flights Change?

There are a few reasons the price of flights changes frequently. But the number one cause of price change is supply and demand. Here are several few factors that make prices fluctuate.

The Season of Travel

Planning a vacation can be tricky, especially when it comes to budgeting. Prices of flights and other travel expenses can vary greatly depending on the season.

Airlines often take advantage of the high demand by raising prices during peak times such as holidays or summer breaks. This is why many people travel during off-peak times when prices are lower.

When it comes to summertime travel, expect prices to be higher due to the long vacations that many people take during this time. Tourist destinations also tend to increase their prices to capitalize on the influx of travelers.

Once peak times have passed, it becomes more favorable for the tourism industry to lower prices to attract more visitors. Since the travel demand will be lower, you can find cheaper flights and other travel deals during these periods.

Related: Discover the Cheapest Airlines and Save Big on Your Next Flight!

Many Other Factors Affect Airline Prices

Here are a few other factors that affect those airfare prices.

  • Calendar
  • Political Tensions
  • Fuel Prices
  • Supply of Flights

Political tensions, supply of staff, and fuel prices can all have a significant impact on the cost of flights. When there is a war or political unrest, airlines may need to create new routes to avoid certain areas, which could lead to longer flight times and increased fuel consumption. 

Staff availability is also an important factor when it comes to flights. Airlines require pilots and flight attendants to ensure customers receive the best service possible with more people flying. 

If there is a shortage of these critical employees, the number of flights will decrease, and prices will rise due to high demand. Pilots must have breaks during their shifts, so if there are not enough experienced pilots available, this can lead to fewer flights and higher prices. 

During peak travel times such as holidays or summer vacations, prices tend to increase as demand rises while the number of available flights decreases. It is crucial to be flexible with trip dates and times to receive the finest airfare rates.

4 Tips to Find Cheap Flights

Here are a couple of tips to help you find cheap flights. It can be challenging to get the best deals, but following these tips can help equip you to be better at finding the cheapest flights. 

Booking Flights in Advance

Booking a flight one to three months in advance can help you find cheap flights. As mentioned, Expedia says prices will increase anywhere from 21-28 days before the flight. If you can book early, the costs will be much more affordable. 

Having a plan in advance is the best course of action. Booking earlier is better than reserving last minute. Many people get caught by the higher prices because they lack planning. It is a must to book flights in advance. 

Flexibility in Location and Dates

One of the best ways to find cheap flights is to be flexible with your travel plans.

This can help you save money on airfare and then use public transportation to explore the surrounding cities. Also, booking a day earlier or later than your desired departure date can lead to significant savings. 

Even small changes in dates can make a big difference in flight prices – sometimes up to $200-500! Being flexible with your travel plans is one of the most effective strategies for finding affordable flights.

Online Tools

Google Flights is an excellent tool for finding cheap flights as it allows you to compare prices from different airlines. However, if you are still looking for what you’re looking for there, then it’s worth checking out other search engines such as Skyscanner or Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).

OTAs often have exclusive deals with airline companies, which they pass on to customers as discounted fares.

It’s always worth shopping around and comparing prices from multiple sources before booking your flight. Doing so will ensure you get the best deal possible for your journey. 

Maximize Your Travel Hacking Strategy

Travel hacking is a great way to save money on travel expenses. It involves collecting points and miles from various hotels, airlines, and credit cards to book cheap flights and hotel stays.

By signing up for membership programs with airlines and hotels, you can use your flights and hotel stays to accumulate points that can be used to get an award flight.

Credit card companies also offer large bonuses when you sign up for their travel credit cards. These bonuses can be used to book free flights if you maximize your rewards. With the right strategy, you can fly anywhere in the world without spending a dime!

Key Takeaways

  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days of the week to fly.
  • Prices of flights and other travel expenses can vary greatly depending on the season.
  • Book flights far in advance.
  •  Flexibility in Location and Dates One of the best ways to find cheap flights is to be flexible with your travel plans.
  • Being flexible with your travel plans is one of the most effective strategies for finding affordable flights.

Final Thoughts

When finding the best airfare deals, there is no set day of the week to guarantee a better price. Flexibility is key here – if you look for tickets during downtimes in the travel industry and book early, you can often find better prices.

Additionally, taking advantage of airline and hotel points and miles can help you find great deals. 

Do your research, check out some travel sites, and think ahead. With some planning and flexibility, you can save big on your next flight!

Next Up From ChaChingQueen

  • Discover the Cheapest Airlines and Save Big on Your Next Flight!
  • Discover 10 Secrets to Booking Last-Minute Flight Deals
  • Disney World Is More Expensive Than Ever, Go Here Instead
  • Top Travel Tips From Frugal Frequent Flyers
Greg, CFA
+ posts

Greg is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 22+ years experience in Financial Services. He has held numerous FINRA Securities licenses (series 7, 63, 65, and 66), and is an expert on Investment Products and Financial Planning. Greg has 22+ years experience as a real estate investor and degrees in Psychology and Philosophy.

Greg has been quoted/interviewed in Yahoo Money, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, Authority Magazine, Realtor.com, Business Insider, and others.

Greg is an avid runner, and the father to identical twin girls and their awesome brother. His love of budgeting and his kids led him to join The Great Resignation in 2021.

Disclaimer: Any Financial Tips on ChaChingQueen are general and informational. Speak with a professional about your specific situation.

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