Brits yearning for a winter sun holiday or planning their 2025 escape are being warned not to fall into a common travel trap.
Booking a flight can often feel like a high-stakes gamble: Do you secure your seat well in advance, smirking as the price soars for latecomers – or do you take a punt and hold out for a last-minute bargain just days before departure?
The truth is, airfare prices are fickle and fluctuate constantly.
Airlines employ a whole team of data analysts and sales gurus who dictate the pricing of that £60 Ibiza flight that tripled in cost overnight. So, how does one snag the best deal on flights?
The money-saving mavens at Thrifty Traveler have dispelled the myth that Tuesday is the cheapest day to book a flight.
This follows a Google Flight analysis revealing negligible savings when booking flights on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday compared to Saturday or Sunday.
“There’s no specific day of the week or time that flights are the cheapest to book,” said Thrifty Traveler, reports the Mirror.
“That’s a convenient yet outdated myth that ignores the fact airfare is constantly changing not just daily, but by the hour and even by the minute.”
Travel experts have advised that great deals can appear any day of the week, and it’s more important to consider the day of your flight if you’re looking to save money.
Most comparison websites allow you to adjust your search by adding or subtracting three days from your preferred flight date, or even viewing the entire month if you’re flexible with your holiday dates.
This is the best way to secure a good deal. Being willing to fly at less popular times could also help cut costs.
The experts said: “Booking flights early can lead to savings, but sometimes waiting until a few months (or less) before departure can pay off.
“If you have specific travel dates in mind, set up a Google Flights Price Alert to be notified when the price drops.”
Google Flights indicates whether your chosen flight is ‘typical’ for that fare, overpriced, or underpriced, helping you decide whether it’s worth waiting for a potential price drop.
