Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, there are several ways you can save money on your flight. From traveling on certain days to booking your flight at the right time, we’ve put together some tips to help you find the best dates to book plane tickets.
If you’ve been taking surveys for money with us here at Branded Surveys, you can exchange your points for travel gift cards or cash to help you pay for your trip. Your dream European adventure or big family vacation is just around the corner, so learn how to book cost-effective plane tickets with our tips below.
What is the Best Day of the Week to Book a Flight?
If you’ve ever tried to plan a trip, you might notice that flight prices fluctuate over time. Several factors that contribute to this, including how far out in advance you’re booking, the time of year, what type of flight and what day of the week it is.
Tuesdays are the best day of the week to book a flight. This is because airlines generally release their sales on Tuesday, and when one airline lowers their rates, their competitors follow suit. If you’re looking for the best deals, shop for your next flight around 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time. It’s also a good idea to subscribe to different airline email newsletters to learn about upcoming flight sales.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Flight to Get the Best Deal?
You might think it’s best to book your trip as far in advance as possible, but this won’t necessarily save you money. There’s actually a sweet spot between the time you book and the time you want to go on your trip. If you’re purchasing a domestic ticket in the U.S., book your flight between one to three months before departure. On the flip side, the best time to book international flights is at least one and a half to five and a half months prior to departure. Lastly, if you’re planning your domestic trip around a busy season like the holidays or during the summer, you’re better off booking your flights earlier – at least two months in advance.
Compare Airlines
If you’re trying to save money, you should always compare airlines. Before you click onto your favorite airline’s website to book a flight, check competing flights from other airlines to see if you’re getting the best price. For example, one ticket might be a few dollars cheaper but require a two-hour layover. Comparing and contrasting different flights can help you save money and find the best dates to book plane tickets.
An easy way to compare airlines with one another is by using airline searches like Google Flights, Expedia, Momondo, Hopper, Orbitz, Skyscanner and more. Some of these offer deals when you book flights with hotels together and will often tell you when the best time to book your trip is.
The Cheapest Days to Fly
Choosing the right travel dates can help you save hundreds of dollars on your flight. Although a quick three-day weekend seems most practical by flying Friday and Sunday, these also happen to be the most expensive days to fly. If you want to save money on your travel, remember that Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are the cheapest days to fly. If you’re flying internationally, stick with a weekday to enjoy a cheaper flight. These are fool-proof ways to ensure you’re choosing the best dates to book plane tickets.
Choose Your Time of Travel Wisely
If you really want to save money, you can also fly at odd hours of the day – the crack of dawn, during lunch or even overnight. Most people would rather fly during hours that are most convenient for them, so if you don’t have a preference, you can save a lot of money by booking those empty seats. If you’re taking an overnight flight, you’ll often find that it’s quite empty. Stretch out and enjoy some extra legroom!
Choose the Cheapest Routes
Just like we suggested comparing airlines to save money, it’s also important to compare different flights. On a daily basis, an airline might have 10 different flight routes at varying rates. A flight that has a connection during odd hours might cost much less than a non-stop flight. However, if the cost difference isn’t too much, a non-stop flight might be worth the extra money.
Buy Group Tickets Individually
If you’re planning a trip for two or more people, see if it’s cheaper to book the flights individually than as a group. This is because some airline reservation systems have a quirk that sells tickets purchased in groups at the same price, even if there is a lower-priced option. For example, you need to purchase four plane tickets. There are only two tickets left for $100; the rest cost $150. The plane ticket reservation system won’t charge you for each of these tickets individually to save money. Instead, it groups the tickets and charges you $150 for each of them. This is because airlines charge the same price per ticket when they’re purchased in a group. By reserving plane tickets one at a time, you might come across lower prices that are available and save money overall.
Look at Price Calendars
When looking for the best dates to book place tickets, start researching the peak tourist season for your ideal destination. For example, most places have a higher flight costs from June through August because these are peak visiting seasons. If Paris is on your bucket list, it’s unlikely you’re going to find a flight deal in the middle of summer that’s cheaper than in the middle of winter. Visiting destinations on their off-seasons is one of the easiest ways to save money on flights, hotels and attractions. You will also enjoy fewer crowds at tourist attractions.
Now that you know the best day of the week to book a flight and how to book a cheaper flight overall, you can start using the points you earn from taking surveys to exchange for travel earn gift card rewards or cash to save up for your next trip. The more surveys you take, the more money you can earn. Sign up with Branded Surveys today to start taking surveys!
