Wanna know the best days to book flights to keep some extra cash in your pocket? I mean, who doesn’t love a good deal on airfare, right? Prices can be all over the place, but booking on the right days can save you a bundle. I’ve done a bunch of research, and, I’ve got some stories from my own trips to share. In this post, we’ll cover the cheapest days to book flights, some handy tips, and a few tricks to help you snag travel deals. Let’s jump in!
Why the Day You Book Matters
Airline prices aren’t just random—they’re based on stuff like demand and fancy computer systems. Knowing the best days to book flights can make a big difference. I was reading this Expedia report from 2023, and it said you could save up to 20% just by picking the right day. Pretty cool, huh? Let’s break down why timing is such a big deal.
What’s Up with Airline Prices?
Airlines use these crazy algorithms to set prices, based on how many people are booking, the time of year, and even what other airlines are charging. Prices usually go up closer to the flight date or during busy times, like summer vacations. By picking the cheapest days to book flights, you can beat the system. Once, I saved $80 on a flight to Denver just by waiting til Tuesday to book—true story!
Outbound Link: Expedia’s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report for some neat price trends.
The Best Days to Book Flights for Big Savings
Okay, so when are the best days to book flights? I checked out a few studies, like from Google Flights and CheapAir.com, and here’s what they say:
- Tuesday: Airlines drop new fares late Monday or early Tuesday. Google Flights said in 2024 that you can save about 15% booking on Tuesdays compared to weekends.
- Wednesday: Midweek’s another good one, less people are booking, so prices dip.
- Sunday: Kinda surprising, but Sundays can be great for domestic flights, per CheapAir.com.
Pro Tip: Don’t book on Fridays or Saturdays, those days are pricey cause everyone’s planning their weekend trips.
Outbound Link: Google Flights Price Tracker to check fares yourself.
Cheapest Days to Fly to Save Even More
Booking’s one thing, but flying on certain days can save you even more. Here’s the lowdown on the cheapest days to fly:
- Tuesday and Wednesday: Midweek flights are usually cheaper, less travelers. Like, a flight from Seattle to Miami might be $140 on a Wednesday but $210 on a Friday.
- Saturday: Not always, but Saturdays can be good for domestic flights since business people aren’t flying.
- Skip Mondays and Fridays: These are super busy for business trips, so prices are higher.
Real-World Example: My buddy Lisa saved $130 on a flight to London by booking on a Tuesday and flying on a Wednesday, instead of her first plan, which was a Friday. She used the extra money for some fancy tea in London!
Outbound Link: CheapAir’s 2024 Flight Study for more price data.
Tips to Book Cheap Flights
Here’s some flight booking tips to pair with the best days to book flights and save even more:
- Book Early: Try 1–2 months ahead for domestic, or 2–6 months for international flights. Kayak says this can save you up to 30%.
- Use Price Alerts: I love apps like Google Flights or Hopper, they ping you when prices drop. Total game-changer.
- Stay Flexible: If you can move your dates around, use tools to find the cheapest days to book flights.
- Check Budget Airlines: Airlines like Spirit or Ryanair have low fares, especially if you book midweek.
Some Myths About Booking Flights
There’s a lot of weird advice out there, so let’s clear up a few myths about the best days to book flights:
- Myth 1: Last-Minute Deals Rock: Uh, no, waiting til the last minute usually means paying more. Deals are rare.
- Myth 2: Clear Cookies for Cheaper Fares: Skyscanner said in 2024 that airlines don’t really raise prices based on your browser history.
- Myth 3: One Perfect Booking Day: Tuesday and Wednesday are awesome, but the cheapest days to book flights depend on where you’re going, and when.
Outbound Link: Skyscanner’s Booking Myths to bust more myths.
Tools to Find the Best Days to Book Flights
These tools make it easy to find the cheapest days to book flights:
- Google Flights: Shows a graph of prices so you can pick the cheapest days.
- Kayak: Has a cool flexible date search to find low fares.
- Hopper: Tells you when to book based on price predictions. I use it all the time, it’s awesome.
Pro Tip: Set price alerts on these apps, so you get a notification when fares drop.
Wrapping It Up: Book Smart, Travel Happy
So, there you go—stick to Tuesday, Wednesday, or Sunday for the best days to book flights, and try flying midweek or Saturdays to save even more. Add in early booking, price alerts, and some flexibility, and you’ll be flying cheap in no time. I hope these tips help you plan your next trip, let me know how it goes!
Call to Action: Ready to save on flights? Try Google Flights or Kayak to find the cheapest days to book flights. Share your best travel hack in the comments, I’d love to hear it!
