A new report reveals that there's actually a rhyme and reason behind scoring cheaper flights when booking on certain dates.
Recent data research from Upgraded Points shows that not only can you earn rewards by booking on specific days of the week, but you can save even more by choosing by airline. For example, United Airlines prices tend to be higher on Thursdays and Fridays and lower on Sundays.
The cheapest fares across all airlines were most often found on Mondays and Tuesdays, with an average discount of 5.2% off the total airfare. However, passengers who book tickets on Saturday will pay the highest price, 7.3 percent more than the average ticket price.
When booking with a specific airline, American Airlines had the least amount of change depending on the booking date, but Thursdays and Fridays tended to be slightly cheaper. Thursdays are the cheapest on Delta, with an average savings of $35. Monday and Tuesday were the cheapest days for passengers booking on low-cost airlines JetBlue and Spirit Airlines.
“While the flight prices we look at change daily, one thing remains constant: the importance of making informed decisions when booking travel. As prices continue to rise, smart travelers will look to save as much as possible,” Upgrade Points founder and CEO Alex Miller said in the report.
The report analyzed more than 44,000 different flights over a four-week period to examine price changes. Southwest Airlines is not included in this report because it does not publish its fares on Google Flights.
Previous research has shown that when it comes to booking airline tickets, it's best to book your tickets at least 2.5 months before departure. By comparison, hotel stays are much shorter, and research recommends that travelers get the best value by booking at least 15 days before arrival. However, travelers should be aware of price match and cancellation policies as tools to help them get a better deal if the price drops from when they booked.
Additionally, most airlines post promotional fares on their websites to get even more discounts.
Southwest Airlines is offering discounted flights every Wednesday morning with its new “Wanna Go Wednesday” promotion. Meanwhile, United Airlines has a “Latest Sales and Promotions” page that regularly updates promotional prices for flights. JetBlue has a “Best Fare Finder” to find deals on flights.
