| Shopping for airline tickets has come a long way since | | | | days to fly, with Wednesdays and Saturdays being a |
| the days of calling the airline companies directly to | | | | close second. Fridays and Sundays are the most |
| reserve your itinerary. The advent of the internet has | | | | expensive. This all goes back to the aforementioned |
| given everyday consumers the ability to book airfares | | | | ticket demand data that helps determine ticket prices. |
| without the assistance of airline customer service | | | | The same holds true for seasonal popularity and |
| representatives or travel agents. Here's some | | | | "times of day". Flying red-eye during non-peak seasons |
| information that will make you more knowledgeable | | | | is generally cheaper because those flights have less |
| about how to get the best deal when booking flights | | | | demand. |
| yourself online. | | | | When is the best time to book my flight? Prices on last |
| Have you ever seen the prices for a flight fluctuate | | | | minute airfare can be highly volatile so try to book in |
| drastically in the same day? This is because most | | | | advance. At the last minute, airlines know you're |
| airlines use robust, database driven software that | | | | desperate and are willing to pay more. However, |
| factors historical purchase data along with current | | | | occasionally the airlines are desperate to fill seats, so |
| ticket supply and demand to determine ticket prices. | | | | prices might decrease. For travel during popular |
| For example, if a flight is selling out too fast compared | | | | holidays (i.e. Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving) and |
| with past flights for that same route, ticket prices will | | | | internationally try book at least three months in |
| rise and vice versa. Prices are updated multiple times a | | | | advance. Most travel sites recommend booking 7, 14 |
| day and even real-time in some systems. | | | | or 21 days in advance, but in my experiences the rates |
| Are you a business traveler? Airline companies are | | | | associated with these intervals usually get bought up |
| well aware that businesses are willing to pay more for | | | | way before then. So, even for domestic flights I start |
| airfares then the average consumer, so they | | | | looking several months in advance. |
| commonly implement the "Saturday Night Stay Over" | | | | One of the most important things to consider when |
| requirement to capitalize on them. If you're a | | | | traveling is to try to resist mainstream travel patterns. If |
| non-business traveler try to incorporate a Saturday | | | | you can avoid traveling during peak seasons, "days of |
| night stay over to avoid this fee. If you're on business, | | | | the week" and "times of the day" you can experience |
| show your employer how much they'll save by letting | | | | substantial savings. If you can think "outside the box" |
| you stay the weekend, if you so desire. | | | | when planning your trip, you can find the discount |
| What are the most inexpensive days to fly? | | | | airfares the airlines were forced to mark down to |
| Tuesdays and Thursdays are historically the cheapest | | | | ensure a sold-out flight. |