A new report reveals that there actually is a reason to snag a cheaper flight when booking on a given day.
A recent data study from Upgraded Points shows that not only is there a way to get a deal by booking on a certain day of the week, but you can also find more savings when you select by airline. For example, United Airlines prices tend to be higher on Thursdays and Fridays, but cheaper on Sundays.
For all airlines, the cheapest fares were found most frequently on Mondays and Tuesdays, where there was a 5.2 percent discount on the total airfare on average. However, passengers who book tickets on Saturday will pay the highest prices, with a 7.3 percent increase over the average cost of a ticket.
When booking with a specific airline, American Airlines had the lowest change based on the day booked, however, Thursdays and Fridays tend to be a little cheaper. Delta Air Lines had the cheapest prices on Thursdays, with an average savings of $35. For passengers booking on low-cost airlines JetBlue and Spirit, Mondays and Tuesdays were the cheapest dates to book.
“While the prices of the flights we explore change day to day, one thing remains constant: the importance of informed decision-making when booking travel. As prices continue to rise, savvy travelers will look to save where they can,” said Upgraded Points founder and CEO Alex Miller in the report.
The report analyzed more than 44,000 different flights over four weeks to determine price fluctuations. The report did not include Southwest Airlines, as the airline does not publish fares on Google Flights.
Previous studies have shown that booking a ticket no more than 2.5 months in advance of departure is the ideal place to book a flight. By comparison, for hotel stays the period is much shorter, with one study recommending that booking 15 days before arrival can help travelers get the best deal. However, travelers should be aware of price matching and cancellation policies as tools to help get a better deal if the price drops from the time they book.
Additionally, for extra savings on airline websites, most airlines list promotional fares.
Southwest Airlines is offering discounted flights every Wednesday morning in a new “Wanna Go Wednesday” promotion, while United Airlines has a “current deals and promotions” page that is regularly updated with promotional flight prices. JetBlue has a “Best Fare Finder” to find a flight deal.
