Non-Holiday Travel
Buying an
airline ticket can be expensive if you do not buy it at
the right time. Timing matters when booking a plane ticket. If you buy a ticket
during the right period, you can save significantly. According to CheapAir.com,
the average cost for domestic flights was least expensive 47 days ahead of the
flight. However, prices increase an average of $111 if you wait until two weeks
before the flight. Keep in mind that airfares vary widely based on destination,
day of the week, and time of year.
Holiday and Summer Travel
If you plan on flying
to a popular beach or other well-travelled destination during the summer, you
might want to buy your tickets early. For domestic flights, this might mean booking
around Thanksgiving and Christmas. For international flights, plan even farther
ahead. Keep in mind how many people you will be traveling with, because that
will make tickets more expensive as you will need to plan further ahead if
several of you want seats near each other. Kiplinger.com says, “If you see a
good price, don’t wait for it to go lower because it’s more likely to rise than
drop.” And Airlines Reporting Corp. found that the best time to book a ticket
for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel is around October 8-10.
International Travel
If you plan on travel
outside the U.S., you will likely find prices more expensive. Buy international
plane tickets very early! For good prices on international airfare, definitely
book more than 90 days in advance. According to CheapAir, book tickets to
Europe at least 276 days ahead of the flight; to the Caribbean, at least 144
days in advance; at least 318 days ahead for Asia; 262 days for Africa; 251 for
Mexico; 244 for the South Pacific; 213 for the Middle East; and 96 days ahead
for Central and South America (Kiplinger.com).
Other Tips on How to Save on Airfare
The more
flexible you are with departure and arrival times, the more you can save.
Morning or late night flights are less expensive. FareCompare.com has found
Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights more economical. Flights with
connections are less expensive; but, if you want a nonstop flight that departs
at a reasonable hour for you, book early to ensure a good price.
Also be aware
that prices may decrease after you book your flight. Depending on the airline or
travel agency, you could receive a rebate on your plane ticket if you alert
them of the new and lower price. However, re-booking your flight for a lower
rate is not always worth it because added fees could outweigh your rebate.
READERS,
what do you think?
1. Have you found any good ways for booking
cheap plane tickets?
2. If you have flown anywhere, how did you
buy your plane tickets?
References:
Forgione, M. (2014, October 23). How Early
Should You Buy Airline Tickets to Get the Lowest Price? LATimes.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-airline-ticket-buying-report-20141022-story.html.
Huddleston, C. (2015, February 18). Best
Times to Buy Airline Tickets. Kiplinger.com.
Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C011-S001-best-times-to-buy-airline-tickets.html.
