We Finally Know the Best Time to Book a Flight, and It's Not When You Think

A plane model is found in several $ 100 tickets with coins in front of him.

The best way to obtain an agreement on flights is to first verify Google flights.

Nadzeya Haroshka/Getty images

Spring is in full swing, and if you are thinking of a fast trip or an escape from early summer, you are not alone. But knowing when to reserve your flights can make a big difference how much you pay.

Money tips

To help eliminate reserve conjectures, the Google Flights team analyzed five years of air ticket trends to identify the cheapest times to buy tickets and when it is better to fly. And in 2023, some of the old rules changed.

Whether you are watching a weekend getaway or a longer spring vacation, this is what the latest data on the best prices score on flights this season says.

Read more: Use your iPhone to easily monitor delays and flight cancellations.

Look at this: How to find cheap flights

The cheapest day of the week to fly

If you plan to book a flight, you may try to find the cheapest option. According to Google, it is cheaper to fly in the mid -week, instead. Flights that take off between Monday and Wednesday can be between 12% and 20% cheaper than weekend flights. Sundays are an expensive day to leave, says Google.

You can also save approximately 20% reserving a scale flight instead of a flight without stopping if you do not care about the extra time needed to reach your destination.

When is the best time to buy airline tickets?

Although you may have heard that it is cheaper to reserve and pay your plane tickets on Tuesday instead of a Saturday, that is not necessarily true. “There is not much value to buy their tickets on a certain day of the week,” said Google.

If you buy flights between Tuesday and Thursday instead of the weekend, prices have been only 1.9% cheaper on average in the last five years, the search giant said.

Do the flights become cheaper closer to their travel date?

To avoid a potential price increase, it is better to reserve your very anticipated flight instead of waiting until you are closer to your trip. Google says that if you are reserving a national flight, prices are usually at its lowest point between 21 and 60 days before your trip. However, Google points out this may not apply to its specific destination.

Google Now has a new tool that you can use when booking its dates and destination that allows you to see when prices have generally been lower. For example, you can find that the appropriate time to reserve your trip is two months in advance. Or you can discover that prices have fallen closer to takeoff, so it would be better to wait before booking.

A Google flight screen capture that shows the best starting flights with information on how prices are historically compared

Google Flights will now show you how the current prices of tickets by plane with historical averages are compared.

Google flights; CNET screen capture

When is the best time to book a flight in each season?

This is what Google said about the best moments to reserve holiday trips and vacations.

Thanksgiving and Christmas. The cheapest flights during winter holidays are generally available between 54 and 78 days in advance. For Christmas, start watching the rates 71 days in advance (at the beginning of October).

Spring vacations. For national flights in March and April, said Google, prices are usually lower from 23 to 59 days before departure, reaching its lowest price 38 days.

Summer holidays. For national flights in July or August, prices are usually lower than 14 to 44 days outside, reaching the bottom of the rock 21 days before takeoff.

You can recover money on flight from Google if you pay more

If you reserve a flight through Google, be attentive to a colorful price guarantee badge. This means that Google believes that it will not get a lower price than the one that appears before taking off. However, in the event that the price decreases, Google will return the difference through Google Pay. Do not worry, it does not depend on verifying prices every day: Google will supervise prices for you.

Consider a cheaper plane ticket scale

If you do not care to take a little more, Google said passengers can save an average of 20% in your ticket when booking a scale instead of a non -scales flight.

Other ways to find offers using Google flights

Google suggests comparing current prices with the previous days to see if you are getting the lowest price.

Compare today’s air rate with the oldest prices. Look for your destination on Google and compare today’s rate with similar flights in the last 12 months. (Some search results will also indicate if the price is expected to change).

Turn on the follow -up of Google Flight’s price. Alternate Trace prices And include your travel dates and Google will send you an email if prices change. If you don’t have a specific week in mind, you can select Any date To receive a notification if the price falls to flights that come out in the next three to six months.

For more information, see the CNET selections to obtain the best travel credit cards in 2023.

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