It may seem earlier than expected, but early spring is the best time to find great deals on your long-awaited summer vacation.
For domestic flights, NerdWallet recommends booking 1-3 months in advance. So for a trip in July, he would be looking to book somewhere between April and June.
Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet, said: “Right now is a good time to jump on these special deals, as there are occasional summer fare sales.”
French said you can let the internet do the work for you by setting up price alerts on your favorite flight tracker, such as Google Flights, Hopper, Kayak, or a similar platform.
“You can make an informed decision,” French says. “If the fares are lower than average, it probably means you should book.”
It's well worth tracking your airfare. Travel deal site CheapAir.com found that fares have changed an average of 49 times since launch, with an average change of $98 each time.
French said travelers should also have more flexibility this summer as airlines announce more robust schedules.
“For example, Delta Air Lines said this year it will offer its largest transatlantic schedule in history,” she said. “More schedules mean more options, and more options usually means lower prices.”
Travelers may also be able to save by simply choosing a different travel date. Mr French said a flight home on Tuesday would probably be cheaper than on a busy Sunday.
“In some cases, extending your trip by a day or two can save you hundreds of dollars on airfare,” she said.
NerdWallet found that Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly in the U.S., with Tuesday's airfares about 24% cheaper than Sunday's peak prices.
