We've been reading people for years who say they've discovered the best time to book a flight: some say airlines drop their prices at the last minute, while others bet on booking late on a Tuesday.
But now that the vast majority of flights are booked by Internet and that the travel landscape has changed significantly due to the pandemic, is there really a perfect time to price? The experts from The Points Guy offer us their point of view to answer this question.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO BOOK A FLIGHT?
In a nutshell: none . There are many rumors and many people who claim to have found the key, but the truth is that The fluctuation of prices on the Internet and the constant changes in algorithms make it practically impossible to set a specific day and time to get the best price.
Nicky Kelvin , director of Points Guy UK, says: "Local cost airlines tend to sell the cheapest seats first. Being one of the first reservations allows you to access the best offers , as these are likely to be the lowest prices ever to go on sale. Prices from other airlines can fluctuate a lot throughout the year and it's always good to look forward to big sales every few months."
WHAT DAY OF THE WEEK IS BEST TO BOOK FLIGHTS?
Surely you know someone who has a very strong opinion on the best day to book flights, but the truth is that there is no rule: "To book a flight, there is no day of the week that is better than another, however, yes it is very important to have flexibility ", says Nicky. "Flexibility in the broader aspect: with the destination and with the days you choose to travel , more than with the days you choose to book the holidays: that is the way to get a good offer".
Aerial view of the Maldives.
IS IT BETTER TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO BOOK THE FLIGHT?
Not if you can help it As Nicky tells us: “It is important to remember that last minute flights are not usually cheaper, and this is because airline prices are guided by specific fare categories that are only available on certain pre-set dates before the flight. The cheapest fares are reserved for purchases made at least three weeks before the flight date, so a day or two after takeoff only the most expensive fares are usually left.”
Realistically, you're more likely to get a last-minute deal on a short-haul flight to some European destination, while long-haul flights tend to be in higher demand . If you're willing to take the risk, you can wait and see what you find, but if getting an affordable price is one of your priorities, It's almost certainly worth booking in advance.
HOW CAN I GET A FLIGHT AT THE BEST PRICE?
The surest way to guarantee that you are paying as little as possible is to be farsighted . You can use applications and websites such as Google Flights and Skyscanner and create an alert for the route and time of the flight you want; In this way, you will receive an email every time the price changes, and you can even compare average prices. If possible, be flexible with airlines and flight times , and consider booking two different flights instead of one round trip.
This report was published in March 2022 in Condé Nast Traveler UK.