When to book a flight for summer vacation
There’s no getting around it: Seeing the world is expensive. I just went to Japan (you should totally go if you ever have the chance), and the costs add up. Sushi was one thing, but the flights? Oof.
My biggest mistake was waiting too late to iron out my plans. Hey, consider this my good deed of the week: I made the mistake so you can save a bunch of money. Let’s look at when to book and what flight to go for to make sure you make it to your destination.
Time is money
OK, I know this is a big range, but for international travel, the best window is two to seven months out. That means if you’re eyeing a beach trip in July, start looking now — uh, yesterday. But really, you don’t want to wait much longer.
An easy way to monitor is through alerts. Use Google Flights or your favorite travel site. Pick your destination and when you want a notification (like if the price falls under $450 round-trip). It’s a heck of a lot easier than trying to remember to check every three days.
Traveling in the good ol’ USA?
The sweet spot for affordable domestic flights is between 28 and 35 days before departure. Avoid buying a ticket three to six months before your departure date. This is one case where being too prepared can cost you.
- Domestic flights are cheaper if you travel on a Wednesday.
- You can save up to 15% when you book on a Sunday.
What’s the best way to avoid cancellations?
Go for the earliest flight you can. Flights that leave after 3 p.m. have the best chance of being canceled at almost 50% higher, according to the fine folks at Expedia. I’m not taking that chance!
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