If you’re looking to score the best deals on flights and hotels, knowing when and how to book is key. With airfare prices frequently fluctuating, strategic planning can lead to some significant savings but knowing when and how to bag the best deals can be a bit of a head scratcher. Here are some smart strategies to help ensure that your next travel adventure is more budget friendly.
The golden rule for finding cheap flights is booking in advance, but not too early, nor too late. Our research suggests that for domestic flights, the ideal booking window is between one to three months before departure. For international flights, booking three to six months in advance often yields the best deals.
Airlines typically release their cheapest seats about 50 – 70 days before a domestic flight and 90 – 120 days before an international flight. However, last-minute deals do exist, especially if an airline needs to fill empty seats, but this of course comes with a higher risk of limited availability.
The package holiday and flights marketplace is very much based on supply and demand; as the demand goes up, so do the prices. The traditional holiday booking period is during January and February, when many companies offer discount deals…
Don’t jump too soon!… Prices may come down if a particular destination or travel date are not proving to be as popular as suppliers had anticipated.
Don’t jump too late!… If the seats are selling well, there’s a good chance that prices will increase.
Airlines frequently run sales during off-peak travel seasons, such as January, September, and mid-October.
Traditionally, Tuesday and Wednesday were considered the best days to book flights, as airlines tend to release fare updates early in the week. However, recent trends suggest that prices fluctuate constantly, making it essential to set fare alerts rather than rely solely on specific days.
When it comes to flying, midweek flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are generally cheaper than weekend departures. Early morning, and late-night departures can also offer lower prices as they are the least popular choice with travellers.
Consider alternative airports and routes; Flying from or into nearby airports can sometimes save hundreds of pounds. If you’re flexible, look for flights with stopovers rather than direct routes as these can be significantly cheaper. Budget airlines sometimes operate out of smaller airports, also offering competitive pricing.
If your schedule allows, use flexible date search options to compare prices across an entire month. Being willing to adjust your departure by just a day or two can make a significant difference in cost. It’s not unusual for a family of 4 to save around £1000, by opting to travel a few days earlier or later.
Even with all these cards up your sleeve however, there’s no sure-fire way to forecast future flight prices. The best strategy is to keep all of the above advice in mind and use price comparison and price alert tools to help you to bag the best deal. Websites like Google Flights or Trip.com can track price trends and predict the best times to book, you can also set price alerts to notify you when fares drop.
Trip.com is an online travel agency that offers several advantages when booking flights:
- Exclusive Discounts: Trip.com often provides special deals and promotions that may not be available elsewhere. Seasonal sales, flash deals, and exclusive discounts to help you to save money on airfares and hotels.
- Price Alerts: You can set notifications to track flight price changes and book when fares drop. This feature allows you to monitor fluctuations and secure the best rates without constantly checking manually.
- 24/7 Customer Support: Trip.com provides round-the-clock, multi-lingual customer service, ensuring that you have assistance with bookings, itinerary changes, or cancellations whenever needed.
- Loyalty Rewards: You can earn Trip Coins on bookings, which can be redeemed for discounts on future travel. So if you’re like us, always dreaming of your next adventure as soon as you’ve booked last one, Trip Coins can help you bag some great future bargains.
- Multi-Currency Payment Options: Trip.com allows users to pay in various currencies, reducing conversion fees and making transactions smoother for international travellers. This feature is particularly beneficial for those booking flights from different countries.
- Bundled Travel Deals: You can book flights, hotels, and car rentals together at discounted rates, streamlining the booking process and maximizing savings.
- Book trips and excursions: Spend a little time planning your itinerary and booking your excursions before you travel, and spend more time exploring and enjoying your adventure when you’re there.
So now that you’re armed with some essential tips to help you keep track of the market, browse the PalmaCoco Travel resort guides for inspiration then head to the PalmaCoco Travel Cheap Flight section or PalmaCoco Loves… to explore more and book your next travel adventure.
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