Ask three friends “When do airline prices drop?,” and you’ll get three wildly different answers. You might even become instantly confused and overwhelmed. That’s because there are a lot of conflicting ideas about when the best time to buy your airfare is. Some experts suggest purchasing your tickets on a Tuesday afternoon, while others insist that this technique might not produce the results you’re after. Buying airfare at the stroke of midnight can yield a small amount of savings, say others, but it may not always be worth it to stay up late just to book a flight.
Truth be told, it’s extremely difficult (if not impossible) to pinpoint a universal date and time during which the cost of airfare drops.
That’s because flight prices change on a near-constant basis. Different carriers offer different deals on different days at different times. One study found that booking your domestic flight 70 days in advance will offer savings, though the same can be said for booking anywhere between 21 and 121 days in advance. For international flights, booking should reportedly be done even further in advance. Midweek is considered to be a good starting point for booking and for traveling, as prices can be lower. And as a rule, ticket prices do tend to be higher at first and will lower if and when demand doesn’t reach a certain point. But so much of that depends on the route, the carrier, and even the day and time of the flight.
If you’re looking for a magical, universal formula that you can use to answer the “when do airline prices drop” question, you’re bound to be disappointed.
Okay, but really, when do airline prices drop?
It may be difficult to pinpoint a single right answer to this question, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be the first to know when a great flight is available for less. Theories and studies aside, one of the best tactics for knowing the precise moment airfare becomes more affordable is to set up price alerts.
Airfare alerts take all of the guesswork out of price comparison.
Signing up for these alerts is relatively easy, though some platforms are more inclusive than others. Make sure that your airfare comparison tool encompasses the airlines you’re most interested in. If you have to save searches by travel date, consider saving a few different options, as switching things around by a day or two can make a huge difference in price. Usually, saving by route (and even airports, specifically) is the best way to go.
Another answer to the “when do airline prices drop” question? Head to Twitter. While it’s essential to look out for social media airfare scams, you can follow hashtags like #airfare and #flights, which are often used by legitimate carriers and websites to spread the word about limited time deals that aren’t advertised anywhere else. This isn’t always a guarantee, but if you’ve got a serious case of wanderlust, it’s certainly worth a try.
By using email price alerts, price comparison sites, and social media hashtags to your advantage, you’ll likely be able to save quite a bit on your airfare and start your next vacation off right. At CheapOair, we can help you find airfare for the trip (and price) you’ve been dreaming of. And with our Price Match Promise, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best deal available. Contact us today or explore our flight options to get started.
