The best time to buy airline tickets varies based on the location and the busiest travel period. It is advised that domestic flights be ordered 7-9 weeks in advance, avoiding the less popular summer and winter vacation or holiday seasons (March, November), and attempting to take advantage of the airline company's "clearance specials" 10-14 days before departure. Cross-border flights, including those between Europe and the US, Australia and New Zealand, and other long-haul routes, are the most economical to pre-purchase 5-6 months in advance, while short-haul international routes, such as those to Southeast Asia, can be booked 2-3 months in advance.
Making reservations five to six months in advance is a smart idea during busy times like Christmas and Chinese New Year. It's important to purchase early bird tickets more than four months before popular holidays like Christmas and Chinese New Year. Trip.com users can track real-time price changes for their preferred routes with the "Price Alerts" feature, which instantly notifies users when the best deal is found, enabling them to book at the ideal time.
Seasons and destinations have different optimum times to book flights, but intelligent tools help you make a better choice. It's most economical to book international flights three to four months in advance, especially on vacation routes where you may save over forty percent; for domestic flights, it's advised to book six to eight months in advance, according to [Trip.com Price Alerts], which helps you find the cheapest airfare.
Best time for domestic flights
Booking three to six weeks in advance is typically the best option if you're planning a domestic vacation. When compared to peak season rates, you may usually save up to 35% during this booking window, according to Trip.com.
Are you unsure about where to find the best bargains? Try the "Low Price Calendar" on Trip.com, which shows the most affordable popular routes for the upcoming ninety days, like Houston to Denver, Atlanta to New York, and San Francisco to Seattle.
Members-only Early Bird Special savings are available to individuals who prefer to save for a rainy day; if you book at least 60 days in advance, you'll earn an extra 10% off specified routes.
How to Make Reservations for Foreign Travel
Trip.com's team of experts reminds us of the three best times to pick up the slack: first, quarterly airline promotions (usually in late March, June, September, or December); second, changes in exchange rates (foreign airlines often lower their prices when the US dollar is strong); and third, 72 hours after the flight schedule is changed (often releasing special seats). You can compare costs without placing an order by using the "24-hour free space" option. According to data from 2024, customers can save up to 35% on foreign flights by making use of these exclusive periods.
Getting Ready for Summer Travel
According to Trip.com's big data, summer travel will soar as more individuals get ready for an amazing getaway! While domestic flights make use of the "90-day countdown" window, international flights adhere to the "90-day lead time" approach. This dual time rule determines the ideal time for airline promotions in addition to avoiding the danger of premium pricing for early reservations. According to data, people who employ this tactic save 31% on average on flights, with some well-traveled routes delivering savings of up to 45%.
The Wise Option for Spaced Travel
Fares peak in the first week of July and fall in the third week of August, indicating a pronounced price difference during the summer travel boom. According to Trip.com's "Summer Price Heat Map," airfares to well-known beach locations like Sanya and Qingdao are 35% less expensive the week of August 18 than they are during the busiest vacation period. Even more unexpectedly, customers can get excellent airfare packages to the most affordable locations, including Guiyang, Taiyuan, and other up-and-coming summer resorts, with the "Flight + Hotel" package👇
Three useful money-saving suggestions：
To assist you in planning the ideal getaway, Trip.com is introducing a "Summer Trio" of value-added perks this summer:
Use the "Flight Expansion Period" to your advantage: In June, Trip.com Diamond members can take advantage of 72 hours of special discounts when airlines introduce new flights. Some itineraries start at 40% off.
Travel to "Surprise Destinations": Trip.com's "Special Offer Radar" feature offers airfare+hotel packages at up to 50% discount and automatically suggests over ten well-liked summer destinations, such as Okinawa and Nha Trang.
Distribute the "Group Benefits": When three people establish a group, you can gain from three things:
Free airport pickup and drop-off service ✓ Hotel room improvements ✓ Airline discount
Ideas for Purchasing Air Travel Over the Holidays
Looking to cut costs on a summer vacation? Gaining proficiency in these ticket-purchasing techniques is essential. The most recent survey of travel websites indicates that summer airfares exhibit a distinct pattern of changes and that planning beforehand can result in significant cost savings.
The key to saving money is having flexible travel schedules. Based on the data, you may save an average of over 30% on round-way tickets by moving your trip from July, when it's the busiest, to mid- to late-August. Select flights between Tuesday and Thursday, when costs are typically 20% lower than on weekends. Early flights from 6 to 8 a.m. can frequently have excellent bargains, with certain itineraries costing half as much as peak hours.
- Member Early Bird: 10% more off reservations in September
- Vacation Packages: Get up to 60% off reservations for airfare and accommodation.
- Price Promise: Double the difference in price if you buy expensive tickets
Extra Tips to Further Reduce Airfare Costs
Trip.com has put together some summer travel money-saving advice to help you get the most out of your ideal getaway:
1. Flexibility in destination selection: Trip.com's "Surprise Destinations" tool cleverly recommends fantastic locations based on your spending limit.
- Your vacation will be determined by the cheap price thanks to the "Global Bargain Map," which shows the airfare reductions worldwide.
According to data, individuals who choose their destinations freely typically save 35% on flights.
2. Intelligent Price Alerts: To keep an eye on price changes around the clock, set up a "Price Reduction Alert."
Using big data analysis, the "Best Time to Book" service recommends the best time to place an order.
Members are entitled to an exclusive "Price Guarantee," which doubles the amount of any price difference.
3. "Multi-city travel" feature from Innovative Travel Solutions: you can book tickets to two or three locations at a time and save 40% over a one-way ticket.
The "Airline + Hotel" combination offers an additional 30% savings when you make reservations together.
Student Benefit: Verified students receive a 15% discount on certain routes.
Setup Price Alerts Tracking Cheap Flights 👇
Best time to book summer flights, domestic and global travel FAQs
Which day offers the best airfare deals?
Which day of the week has the lowest airfare? Because airlines frequently start releasing deals starting Monday night or Tuesday morning, Tuesday is frequently thought to be a more affordable day to buy flights.When is the best time to book a flight?
Booking on a particular day might not result in a lower airfare, but the time of your flight can influence the cost. In general, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are less expensive than Mondays and Fridays. According to Keyes, the primary reason for this is because business travelers typically steer clear of midweek travel.Booking on a particular day might not result in a lower airfare, but the time of your flight can influence the cost. In general, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are less expensive than Mondays and Fridays. According to Keyes, the primary reason for this is because business travelers typically steer clear of midweek travel.