Travel Tips: How to get Cheap Airline Tickets

Many folks think that Tuesday is the best day to buy cheap airline tickets.  That’s because airlines often announce deals on Monday evenings. By Tuesday at noon, other airlines are scrambling to match those deals. So Tuesday afternoons are the best time to hunt for reduced airfare.

Peter Greenberg over at CBS News suggests waiting until 1 a.m. on Wednesday to snag the deals that didn’t get taken on Tuesday. But he also recommends calling the airline and talking to a ticket agent in person, so this one is for the most dedicated money-savers.

Texas A&M University, however, crunched the numbers and found that weekends are actually the best time to book airline tickets. That’s because airlines are more likely to lower their fares on Saturday and Sunday to attract leisure travelers.

The study found that tickets purchased on the weekend were historically an average of 5% cheaper than similar tickets purchased during the week.

Of course, that was only to places with mixed business and leisure settings. Leisure-only destinations, like Las Vegas, don’t change much through the week.

But an even newer study from The Wall Street Journal shows that most people can save an average of $60 by purchasing their tickets on Sundays instead of Tuesdays. The study also showed a significant increase of ticket prices on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

So, what should you do? If you see one airline offering a deal on Monday, make plans to buy your tickets on Tuesday. If there are no deals going on, buy on the weekend.

Of course, that’s not the only bit of money-saving wisdom I have to offer. The day you fly can also make a big difference.

THE DAY TO FLY

Studies show that flying on Tuesdays is still the best day to fly for less. Fewer people travel on Tuesdays, and less demand means a better deal for you. Friday and Sunday are the most expensive.

The time of day you travel is also important. No one wants to fly at 4 a.m., but you can shave off big bucks from your ticket price if you do.

The first flight of the day, red-eye flights or any flight that coincides with lunchtime or dinner are the best times to fly if you want to pay less.

Kim Komando

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