Stop Overpaying: These Are the Cheapest Days to Book Your Flight

Introduction

What if the secret to saving hundreds on flights came down to the day, or even the hour, you book?

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While Tuesday and Wednesday often win the price wars, flight deals are more nuanced than you’ve been led to believe. 

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Timing, tools, and even the hour you book can make or break your travel budget. 

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If you're the kind of traveler who thrives on strategy and savings, this guide reveals how to outsmart the airlines, one flight search at a time.

What is the Cheapest Day to Fly?

One of the key findings from various studies and industry reports is that the cheapest days to fly are often Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This is because airlines typically release their weekly fare sales on Monday evenings, and competitors match these prices by Tuesday, resulting in a mid-week price drop.

Why Tuesdays and Wednesdays?

• Lower Demand: Mid-week days usually see lower demand compared to weekends. This reduced demand translates to lower prices.
• Fare Sales: Airlines release fare sales early in the week, and these sales are generally matched by other airlines by Tuesday afternoon.

Avoid Weekends

Booking flights over the weekend can often lead to higher prices due to increased demand. Many travelers book their travel plans during their free time on Saturday and Sunday, driving up the demand and the prices.

However, according to the Thrifty Traveler, the cheapest day to fly is the one where you find the best deal! Sometimes you’ll find an ideal itinerary for less than you expected. Be prepared to move on that opportunity!

Time of Day

In addition to choosing an ideal day to book, the time of day can play a factor when buying airline tickets. According to Skyscanner, it’s better to book flights earlier in the morning (like around 6 a.m. EST). But, if you’re trying to snag deals, consider booking around 3 p.m. EST. 

Advanced Booking Strategies

Another crucial aspect of getting the best deals on flights is timing your booking just right. This means considering what kind of flight you’re booking (i.e. domestic or international), where you’re booking your flights (i.e. directly with airlines, through credit card portals or on other travel deal websites), and the time of year (i.e. high versus low seasons). 

Domestic Flights

For domestic flights, it’s generally recommended to book about three weeks in advance. During this period, airlines have typically adjusted their prices to attract budget-conscious travelers without undercutting their revenue. It’s in this timeframe that you should consider booking during the cheapest day of the week to fly. 

International Flights

When it comes to international flights, planning ahead is even more important. Booking your flights five to six months in advance can result in major savings – an average of 10%. This is because airlines often offer lower prices well in advance to fill seats early. Again, as you plan your trip, look at price tools to determine the least expensive days to fly. 

There’s another reason to book well in advance: price drops. According to Forbes, though most basic economy fares (sometimes referred to as “economy light”) are usually non-changeable, standard economy fares can usually be changed on most major airlines. This gives you the chance to lock in a price. If you continue to monitor your itinerary and see there’s a price drop, you can modify your flight and claim a voucher for the price difference. Not a bad way to save on future flights!

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Keep in mind that this strategy likely will not work well with the cheapest airlines. 

Utilize Price Tracking Tools

In order to get the best prices, you can log on every day to check up on your routes. However, this is time-consuming and fails to take advantage of the many technologies available for this specific task. Instead, allow the Internet of Things to help you find the cheapest days of the week to fly. 

• Fare Alerts: Set fare alerts on websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to monitor price fluctuations and get notified when fares drop. some text
  • For example, if you’re looking for cheap flights from Dallas, set up email reminders or travel alerts through one of these services. 
• Price Tracking: Use tools like Hopper to predict the best times to book flights based on historical data and trends.some text
  • For example, if you’re looking for cheap flights from Detroit, you can use these services to best determine when you might want to take a trip. 

Time of Year

If your travel plans include a holiday, it’s best to book tickets as early as possible. Since more people fly during these times (no matter what holiday it is), less seats are available. This is especially important to keep in mind when traveling internationally; check for any major holidays that may take place during your trip. It can not only affect the cost of your tickets but your plans while you’re there. 

Flexibility and Savings

What’s the cheapest day to fly? is a good question to ask when trying to save money on your next trip. But flexibility in your travel dates can also lead to substantial savings. Flying mid-week, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, can be significantly cheaper than flying on weekends.

Flexible Travel Dates

• Mid-Week Flights: Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper due to lower demand.
• Red-Eye Flights: Late-night or early-morning flights can also be less expensive as they are less popular.
• Flights with Layovers: Flights with layovers tend to be cheaper, as most travelers want to avoid any additional travel time. 

Case Studies

To illustrate the effectiveness of these strategies, let's look at some real-world examples of successful flight bookings:

Case Study 1

Destination: New York to Los Angeles

Strategy:

• Booked on a Tuesday, three weeks in advance.
• Set up fare alerts to monitor price drops.

Result:

Saved $150 compared to booking on a weekend closer to the departure date.

Case Study 2

Destination: Detroit to Paris

Strategy:

• Booked five months in advance.
• Chose a mid-week departure.

Result:

Saved $300 on the round-trip fare by avoiding weekend travel and booking well in advance.

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Stay Connected While You Travel with eSIM Cards

According to a Trends Global Survey, 80% of participants surveyed feel it’s important to be able to book their trips entirely online. The bulk of these participants were made up of Millennials (86%) and Gen Zers (83%). It’s now expected, not a perk, that travel plans can be made, modified or canceled with just a few taps on a smartphone. 

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Additionally, 76% of global travelers seek apps that reduce the hassle-induced stress of travel. This is where utilizing apps like GigSky is incredibly helpful. Instead of waiting in long lines for a SIM card or paying outrageous home-carrier roaming fees, travelers can manage their travel eSIM data plans with just a few taps on their smartphone. 

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Access to the Internet is a necessity when traveling. Though you may not be booking flights in real-time during your trip, being able to monitor your flight status, book ride-shares and navigate through cities is crucial for a fun and stress-free trip. All of this is possible through a home carrier, but data roaming charges can quickly add up. 

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Conclusion

When planning a trip it’s helpful to ask, “What are the least expensive days to fly?” By strategically choosing the best days to book a flight and taking advantage of advanced booking and flexible travel dates, you can save significantly on your travel expenses. 

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Remember, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the cheapest days to book, and setting up fare alerts can help you monitor and capitalize on price drops. But this isn’t a guarantee! The best time to book is when you find a great deal.

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Happy travels!

Ready to fly off on an adventure? Don’t forget to stay connected along the way! Get a free eSIM trial when you create a GigSky account.