With the summer travel season over, it’s National Cheap Flights Day.
But don’t let the misleading name fool you into rushing to book your next trip.
“There’s no specific day when flights are cheapest,” travel expert Katy Nastro gotold CNBC Make. “That’s not the case.”
Instead, Nastro said the best time to book air travel is always related to when you plan to fly. This period when the best interest rates are often found is known as the “Goldilocks window.”
It gets its name because it’s not too far from your travel date, but not too close either. For domestic travel, the Goldilocks window is between 1 and 3 months before your flight, while for international flights, it is between 2 and 8 months before your flight.
However, finding affordable flights is more than just choosing the right time. Here are three travel expert-approved tips for National Cheap Flights Day.
1. Practice, practice, practice
If you know you want to take a trip this year but aren’t quite ready to buy a ticket yet, that shouldn’t stop you from choosing a flight. Doing this regularly in the weeks or months before booking can help you get your bearings and set expectations for how much you want to pay.
Nastro recommends using search sites such as Google Flights, Skyscanner and Momondo to compare prices.
“As long as you can get a good sample of these flights from multiple different regions, it doesn’t matter where you search,” she said. “This will give you a better idea of weekly and monthly flight prices.”
Gemma Jamieson, senior global communications manager at Skyscanner, says taking the time to do your research may help you save money in the long run.
“Airlines are very smart about pricing and competing against each other. They’re looking at the data, they’re looking at traveler behavior, and they’re planning these areas where they can be super competitive,” she said. “Doing a little extra comparison, going a little further, and spending a little more time than usual shopping around can save you lots and lots of money.”
2. Don’t procrastinate
The biggest mistake you can make when searching for cheap flights is waiting until the last second in the hope that the flight you want will drop in price. This is especially true if you start thinking about holiday travel.
“Flight prices tend to go up, especially when we get into the peak season,” Nastro said. “During the holidays, you really want to avoid last-minute bookings.”
She hopes to dispel a common misconception that airlines add flights at the last minute because existing flights are sold out.
“That’s not really how it works,” Nastro said. “They don’t have an endless supply of backup flights to add to their schedule.”
3. Flexibility will save you money
If you don’t have a destination or date in mind for your trip, you can find the cheapest air tickets available.
“If you can, keeping an open mind is the ultimate way to save money,” Jamison said. “People who kept an open mind in the past have fueled the rise of destinations such as Croatia, which is now a leading destination for summer holidays in Europe.”
Likewise, Nastro said, “When you’re looking for truly affordable flights, flexibility is going to be your best friend.”
If you know when and where you need to fly, your next best option is to be flexible with which airline you fly. If you only choose airlines with points or status, you may not only be unable to get better prices, but also be unable to enjoy more convenient flight times.
“If you only pigeonhole yourself into one or two specific airlines, you’re really going to miss out on some great value fares,” she said. “I understand people have preferences, but if your concern is finding affordable flights, then broadening your scope can really help you do that.”
Jemison recommends exploring not just round-trip options, but one-way flights in each direction to see if any other airlines have better fares.
“Explore your options,” Jamison said. “Break up your itinerary a little bit so you’re not necessarily flying out on the same airline you’re flying back on.”
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