2. Tip #1: Best time to shop for domestic airfares
Airlines normally start airfare sale on late Monday
• Most airlines join to stay competitive
• By early Tuesday afternoon, most airlines will bring down their airfares to
match with other airlines
• The discounted airfares hit the reservation system on Tuesday around 3pm
eastern
Discounts and sales on airfares can pop up at other times and to avail such
discounts you don’t have to be online 24*7.
Read Tip#2 to know what to do!
3. Tip #2: Sign-up for fare alerts
• Sign-up for popular airlines and online travel portals real-time airfare alerts
• By joining for airfare alerts, the airlines or the online travel websites will notify you of
any discount on airfare for that destination you are planning to visit
The biggest advantage of signing up for a real-time airfare alerts is, you will
have the benefit to be first in the line to avail any discount or offers.
4. Tip#3: Don't book too early!
Booking your flight 3 ½ months before the departure time can prove to be a costly
affair.
Did you know that most of the airlines don't manage their prices until 3-4 months
before the scheduled departure time. If you buy before this period, you might end up
paying too much..
Picture this, on every single plane, airlines have about 10 different price slabs. Make
sure you know which is the time to avoid and also the right time to buy if you want
those cheap plane tickets.
Remember, don't be in a hurry, don't leave it too late either.
5. Tip #4: Airfares normally rise dramatically within 13 to 15
days of departure
Most major airlines like Delta and US Airways increase their fares dramatically
within 13 to 15 days of departure but low cost airlines increase their airfares
around 7 to 10 days before departure.
Airlines follow this procedure to take advantage of last minute business
travelers, who are willing to travel even if the airfares are higher.
Book your airfares two weeks before airlines increases their fares.
6. Tip #5: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: The
Cheapest Days to Fly!
Fridays and Sunday are the busiest days to fly as most travelers want to
squeeze as much time out for their vacation. The airfares for these two days
tend to be the most expensive.
Know when to fly to save on airfares! Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are
considered the least expensive days to book a trip within the U.S.