Would you like to know the best time to purchase airline tickets while booking the flight? Be it for a domestic flight or international travel; the best time to buy airline tickets makes a big difference. During the day, and at night, prices fluctuate according to several factors like demand, seasonality, and sale periods.
And, with a planned booking, you’ll be on your way to the lowest price.
The Best Time for Flight Ticket Purchase
The secret to finding the best time to purchase airline tickets is when you understand the price changes of the airlines.
While there’s no magic formula to answer when is the best time to book a flight, we can look for:
- Domestic Flights: Book 1-3 months in advance for the best rates.
- International Flights: Book 4-10 months before travel for maximum savings.
It is the middle of the week when one can have the best flights, especially on Tuesday when you can have better things to do.
Most of them have been noticed that Tuesday is that special day when they should book any flights in all categories. Tuesday is considered the best day to purchase airline tickets, as airlines typically begin their sales shortly after midnight.
So booking flights on Tuesday results in lower prices than weekend flight bookings. Not just by the day of the week, prices are highly affected by demand. Airline tickets can be costly during peak demand periods, regardless of when you book.
Ideal Time to Purchase Tickets for Summer Travel
Early bird gets the best deals in the summer; it highly affects your wallet. The best time to purchase airline tickets in summer is about 6 months before the travel.
A general rule: Book in the opposite season. While people are busy planning winter holidays, you should start looking for summer flights to get the best prices.
- Domestic Summer Flights: Book 3 to 7 months in advance.
- International Summer Flights: Book 4 to 10 months in advance.
You can set fare alerts on sites like Expedia, MakeMyTrip, or Cleartrip after booking. In such cases, if a decrease in prices happens, you may rebook yourself on a lower fare and get a refund or a credit.
Best Time to Buy Tickets on Popular Travel Platforms
The following are the best times to buy flight tickets on various travel platforms:
1. Viator
Viator is mainly known for exotic cruise packages but also has a lot of offers on flights. The best time to purchase airline tickets on Viator is on Tuesdays and Wednesdays because these are days when airlines often give fresh discounts at the week’s start.
Just like, tour or activity packages that connect flights with these tours might turn into quite a discounted deal for travellers. In addition, booking during non-peak hours such as the early morning or late night could help you get tickets at cheap rates.
2. Agoda
Agoda also has made its popular mark as a well-known site for flight and hotel bookings at affordable rates. The best time to purchase airline tickets on Agoda would have to be 2 to 3 months ahead of the domestic flights or 5 to 10 months in advance for international flights.
It will give the traveller the best time to buy flights at lower rates before the inflation starts on travel. This site normally has flash sales or special discounts during the midweek. And, check for loyalty rewards and promo codes to add on the extra savings done by booking tickets.
3. Cleartrip
Cleartrip is well-known for its user-friendly interface and clear pricing which makes it quite easy to find inexpensive flights. The best time to purchase airline tickets on Cleartrip is during the great sale promotions of airlines, particularly in January and September, during which discounts are offered for all, making them the cheapest day to book flights.
Also, checking prices on Tuesdays after new flight prices are announced can help travellers find better Cleartrip deals. Another feature it has in its vault is July fare alerts and cashback offers that help save on domestic and international air travel.
4. Travelocity
Travelocity, the name in one line, is a reliable aviator in the aircraft industry that gives you many discounts on flights, hotel, and holiday packages along with a cheap date in the booking of flights. Tuesday would work best with airfare for travel and hotel combination.
Flexible date search options are also available through Travelocity which allows travelers to look for the lowest-priced cost. Booking flights about 6 weeks ahead can greatly decrease the cost of tickets. Also, holiday sales with last-minute deals create more options for bargains.
5. Krystal
Krystal is a great option for the budget-minded traveller, who can save competitive rates for airfare on the site, along with deals that can’t often be found elsewhere. The best times to purchase airline tickets on Krystal are February and October.
While making your flight reservations, if you do it at least 4 to 8 weeks ahead of time, this is increasingly good for getting a good fare. Krystal has sales and promo codes for limited periods, so checking their site often for Krystal’s latest offers is wise.
Fare alerts would be a great way to save extra money.
6. MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip is a leading travel platform in India giving offers of great discounts on flights. The best time to buy flights is between 3 and 4 months ahead of said departure dates, especially if you are planning to travel abroad.
Also, some Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best times to purchase airline tickets, as airline people make some changes to the already established prices. MakeMyTrip has been running sales focused on festivals and cashback offers that take some load off the passengers’ pockets. Booking tickets a month or two in advance with coupons can help you save the most.
7. Expedia
Expedia is among the reliable travel sites with great flight prices and holiday packages. The best days to buy plane tickets on Expedia are Tuesday and Wednesday. Another great opportunity for major discounts is booking during big marketing times like Black Friday or New Year sales.
Expedia’s reward program provides a discount too, which is perfect for the frequent traveler. You can also get through on the cheapest fare by going for flexible search date options.
8. ASAP Tickets
ASAP Tickets is well-known for its discounted international airfare, making it good for long-distance travellers. The best time to purchase tickets on ASAP Tickets is during airline promotions in March and September when ticket prices are generally lower. Do you wonder when is the best time to book a flight?
For international tickets, you can usually get a good deal. This is typically for tickets bought at least four to six months in advance. ASAP provides clients with personalized, one-on-one service by travel agents to find mostly unpublished prices. Flexible travel dates in combination with early booking secure the best offers.
Pro-Tips for Booking the Cheapest Flights
The following are a few tips to know the best time to purchase airline tickets:
- Fly on less popular days: Midweek and Saturdays usually attract lower prices.
- Use different platforms: Check prices in Expedia, MakeMyTrip, and Cleartrip. Compare everywhere for a better offer.
- Choosing your travel dates: Changing your trip by a day or two might lead to significant savings and finding the cheapest day to book flights.
Conclusion
Finding the best time to purchase airline tickets is important for saving amount on airfare costs. Search for deals on platforms like Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, and Expedia. Connect with My Exclusive Deals to get many amazing air deals for awesome savings and offers!
FAQs
1. What time is ideal for buying an international ticket?
The booking must be done in advance around 4 and up to 10 months from the journey time.
2. Are last-minute flights generally cheaper?
It is likely better to book your air tickets 4-10 months before an international journey; however, domestic tickets can be booked 1-3 months in advance so that fares may be more advantageous.
3. When is the best time to book a flight?
Most of the time, Tuesdays have good rates for booking flights. Airlines update their listings on Monday evening, so have a look around on Tuesday itself.
4. Is it true that at midnight prices drop lower for flights?
Not necessarily. Prices may drop after midnight as well. This doesn’t necessarily contribute to a set-in-stone price; establish a price alert and check it now and then via your favourite booking app.
5. What would I do if I made the booking and paid for my reservation and the price fell further?
Usually, you can; if there is a discount at the time of travel, you may enter a claim and they may accept that.