Is it always wise to book flights as soon as possible?
So I'm booking flights to go to Europe in September n October.
And it's a long way off, but I've already noticed in the space of a week or so, that the prices have started creeping up. Not by much, but I've just realized that generally, the prices I was quoted a week ago is now a little bit more expensive.
Then again, out of interest, I've looked for earlier flights in like August or July, and some are even cheaper, so I don't know if it's just the general fluctuation of prices or if the flights on the dates I've set are really getting more expensive.
I kind of presumed that airlines have a kind of first in, best dressed type policy where the first couple of seats they sell on a flight is cheap then progressively more expensive?
But is that how it works? If so, on any given flight, a seat is not going to be any cheaper than it is now and therefore I should just book as soon as I can. Or should I be holding out for a while and monitoring prices until I get the price that I want and buying then?
Best Answer
I recently discovered a service called TripIt Pro, which among other things offers a fare watcher service. Once you upload your itinerary (including flight numbers), TripIt Pro will watch for lower fares and alert you if a newer fare is low enough that even with the penalty for changing your ticket, you still save money.
FD: I haven't signed up with TripIt Pro yet, although I do have a free account (the pro account has a 30-day free trial, so I'm waiting until I can get the most value from it).
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Is it better to book a flight earlier or later?
Prices typically start spiking in the two weeks leading up to a trip, and it's very unlikely that you'll find a better deal in that window than if you had purchased at an earlier date." The 2019 Travel Pricing Outlook from ARC and the Expedia Group reported that booking three weeks in advance is usually where the best ...How far in advance should you book a flight to get the best deal?
Timing Matters: Not Too Early, Not Too Late The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance.Does it matter when you book a flight?
The day that you book tickets won't affect much, but Tuesdays and Sundays are the days you might catch a slight discount. The day that your flight departs matters way more: Flying out towards the end of the week (on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays) is likely to be the cheapest.Should I wait till Tuesday to book a flight?
As a matter of fact, yes! According to FareCompare, the best time to book your tickets is on Tuesdays, ideally early in the morning. Many airlines launch sales late Monday night, so new fares will be available and other carriers drop their rates to match the competition.HOW TO FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS - My Best Tips After Booking 500+ Flights
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Answer 2
It is not directly directed to your question but low-cost carrier prices can fluctuate on the weekly basis with the lowest price appearing usually on Tuesday or Wednesday. Prices around Holidays can get a high starting prices and get lower later. However predicting it is always a matter of experience.
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