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Are you looking to score the cheapest flight? The best time to book varies based on factors such as your destination and the timing of your trip. Generally, the day you book your ticket won’t impact the price as much as the day of the week you’re actually traveling.
According to Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, 55% of Americans find air travel more daunting than filing taxes or visiting the dentist. Understanding when and how to book your flights can help reduce some stress and save you money.
Let’s explore strategies for scoring the best deals on airfare, no matter when you’re traveling.
Key Takeaways
- Consumers have a range of options when it comes to booking airline tickets.
- The day of the week that you book a flight does not affect the price, but the days when you fly do.
- Traveling during off-peak months often leads to significant savings, with lower fares compared to peak travel periods.
- Use fare comparison tools to monitor prices and set price alerts.
- Use a rewards credit card that earns miles or points and has travel benefits to help your day-of travel experience.
Best Time To Book Flights
If you’re interested in getting the best deal on flights, it helps to understand what causes changes in pricing. You want to avoid booking too far in advance (more than five months), as prices can be higher. On the flip side, waiting until the last minute can result in prices doubling, especially in the weeks leading up to fly time.
Tip
Using a free tool like Google Flights can help you stay on top of fare pricing trends so you can pinpoint the best time to book flights.
Domestic flights
According to Expedia’s 2025 Air Travel Hacks Report, the best time to book domestic flights is one to three months before departure, which can save travelers around 25% compared to booking at the last minute. Hopper similarly advises monitoring prices three to four months in advance and booking one to two months out from travel for the best savings.
International flights
Expedia recommends booking international flights about 18–29 days before departure for the most significant savings.Hopper suggests monitoring prices 7–8 months in advance to catch the best deals.
Cheapest airlines
It’s not as simple as an internet search using the term “cheapest airlines.” Plenty of low-cost carriers (Frontier, Spirit, Avelo, etc.) offer a cheaper ticket, but you end up paying several add-ons, including carry-on luggage, preferred seat assignment, etc.) Travel site aggregators like Kayak and Expedia may not find you a better flight deal than you’ll find on an airline website. Use your due diligence.
Cheapest Days of the Week To Fly
According to Google’s 2025 travel trends, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the cheapest days of the week to fly, whether it’s international or domestic. Flying on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday could be up to 13% more expensive.
The actual time you fly also plays a part. Flights departing before 3 p.m. are statistically less likely to be canceled, and flights with a departure time after 3 p.m. face a 50% higher chance of cancellation.
Cheapest Day of the Week to Book Flights
Expedia analyzed data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation, covering 24 billion flights from 490 airlines. The data reveals that booking domestic or international flights on Sundays instead of Fridays can save travelers an average of 17%.
| Savings based on ticket type | |
|---|---|
| Airfare class | Savings |
| Domestic Economy | 5% |
| Domestic Business | 7% |
| International Economy | 5% |
| International Business | 24% |
Seasons Matter
August is typically the cheapest month to travel, while February and March are generally the most expensive. Expedia reports that domestic travel in February can cost 12% more than the same travel in August. Flying internationally in August, rather than March, can save travelers as much as 7%.
If you opt to travel in the spring, prices have been lowest 44 days before departure, with the lowest price range being 34-86 days out.
If you can, skip the warm, peak summer months and consider traveling in September or October. Also known as shoulder season, prices tend to fall before demand increases for the holiday season. In 2024, domestic travelers saved 40% off airfare by shifting trips from peak summer months to September or October.
Tickets are generally more expensive during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays than during the rest of the winter. Hopper suggests booking your Thanksgiving and Christmas travel by the end of October to avoid airfare selling out or a rise in prices.
Tips For Booking Cheap Flight Deals
Use fare comparison tools
Use tools like Google Flights, Kayak, Expedia, or the Hopper app to track airfare and receive real-time alerts when prices drop. Google Flights will also sometimes show you when it expects prices to drop based on historical data for your selected route. Expedia’s Price Drop Protection gives travelers a refund if the cost of their booked flight drops after purchase, as long as they book directly on Expedia.
Use travel credit card rewards
Travel rewards credit cards can help save you money on your trip overall. For example, you may be able to find a card that offers perks such as:
These benefits may not trim money off your actual ticket cost, but they can save you on other flight-related expenses. If you want to purchase airfare with points and miles instead of cash, redemption values vary.
Fast Fact
When comparing travel rewards cards, be sure to consider whether any blackout dates or other restrictions may apply to booking award travel.
Avoid peak travel time
Traveling in August, September, and October can offer significant savings. Booking a late morning or early afternoon flight (before 3 p.m.) will likely yield fewer delays and fewer chances of a cancellation. Lastly, consider flying on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays to save some cash on airfare prices.
Don’t be afraid to rebook
Since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines have moved to more flexible change and cancellation policies. If you booked a fare that allows for changes or cancellations with no added fees (typically, basic economy tickets allow for no changes), set a price alert immediately after booking. If you see a price drop, cancel your flight and rebook. Be sure you’re aware of the airline’s policies, as sometimes you’ll get your refund in the form of a travel voucher instead of your original payment method.
What Is the Best Time To Book a Domestic Flight?
According to the Expedia 2025 Air Travel Hacks Report, domestic flights are best booked at least 34 days before departure for optimal savings.
When Should I Book International Flights?
For international travel, it is recommended to book around 18-29 days in advance.
How Often Do Airfare Prices Change?
Airfare prices can fluctuate frequently based on demand, holidays, seasonal changes, and overall volatility. For example, high fuel costs and consumer demand can push ticket prices up. It’s recommended to start monitoring them at least 3-4 months before departure for domestic flights and 5-7 months for international flights.
What Are “Shoulder Seasons” and Why Should I Consider Them?
Shoulder seasons are periods just before or after peak travel times when prices are usually lower and destinations are less crowded. Traveling during these times can enhance your overall experience and cost less.
How Do I Find the Best Airline Ticket Prices?
The best way to find the cheapest airline ticket price is to shop around. Use flight comparison tools and set price alerts for your desired routes. Being flexible in departure and arrival days can also lead to savings. Aim to book domestic flights 1-2 months in advance and international flights 18-29 days ahead of travel, but monitor flight prices for as long as 5-7 months to ensure you don’t miss a price drop. Consider traveling during off-peak times and explore alternative airports for better deals. Additionally, check airline websites directly for exclusive offers. Combining these strategies can significantly enhance your chances of securing the best fares.
The Bottom Line
To secure the best flight deals, you’ll need to understand pricing trends and booking strategies. The best time to book domestic flights is around 34 days before departure. Updated research tells us that international flights should be booked approximately 18-39 days in advance.
You can significantly save on your travel expenses by timing your purchases, flying during off-peak days, and using comparison tools and rewards. Flexibility in your travel plans, such as when you travel and what day of the week you fly, will enhance your chances of landing the best rates.
You can also save money using an airline miles credit card to book flights, which will help you earn miles or points toward future air travel. Be sure to join one or more frequent flyer programs to rack up additional money-saving miles.
