Flight Hacks – Dos and Don’ts
Most of the basics when it comes to getting the cheapest flights are covered in varying amounts of detail throughout the internet. While some of the tips are useful, many of them rely on traditional and outdated thinking when it comes to booking your next jaunt. Thankfully, if you’re hoping to get the cheapest flights with the least hassle, the online travel agency Opodo have just released their latest price findings, and some of the results are quite surprising. It comes down to not just being open to your destination choice, but to look for the best time to book flights, and it’s those timings that are important. You might be stuck in the mindset that a Monday morning is the best time to buy a ticket, but Sunday is the best time to book shorthaul flights at reduced rates according to Opodo, and if you want some other top tips for getting the cheapest flight, here’s the handy breakdown of your Dos and Don’ts.
Don’t wait for last minute bargains
Everyone knows that the best way to get the cheapest flights is to wait until the last minute, right? Wrong. That may have been the case a decade ago, but things have changed since the last minute bargain and the unexpected destination. In fact, according to Opodo, waiting for those last minute deals is going to end up costing you more, as airlines hike their prices up in the final week of sales. If you’ve been buying your flights on the day before departure, the chances are that you’ve been paying rather more than you could have been.
Do find your windows
We’re not talking about choosing a window or aisle seat here. There are in fact some time windows that you can use that will maximize your chances of getting the cheapest flight possible. The key times to be aware of are the six to seven weeks before takeoff, as that is when the ticket prices are at their lowest. Check the infographic and buy your tickets depending on whether you’re going for a short-haul, long-haul, or domestic flight, and you may be surprised by the differences in cost compared to other times. Although we always assume that buying tickets six months in advance will get us the most miles for our money, the fact is that the best time to buy is in that 31-60 day window before departure.
Do book on the right day
Even something as seemingly minor as picking the right day of the week to purchase your tickets can be significant. The results released by Opodo indicate that depending on your flight type, the best times to buy are on the Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Check your calendars before you buy, and if you opt for a short-haul flight and buy your tickets on a Wednesday, you’ll save significantly more than booking on a Monday morning. If you can combine the optimal windows and buy your tickets on a Sunday, six weeks before your travel, you may be paying the lowest priced tickets imaginable.
If you want to get the cheapest tickets, you need to be buying at the right times. Ignore those that still stand by the outdated methods of getting cheaper air travel, and rely on the facts to make your decisions. That way you can be assured that you’ll have a bit more spending money when you land at your destination.
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