What are the best days of the week and hours of the day to make online airplane reservations?

Question

I have heard that one can get the lowest fares by ordering mid-week. However, I'm noticing that the air fare quotes even vary by time of day. I am making international reservations that are quite expensive and have found the fares are varying by over $100 depending on time of day. Does anyone have suggestions?

Answer 1

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday flights tend to be the cheapest, especially the crack-of-dawn 6am type of flights.

Go to cheaptickets.com or yahoo travel and horse around with the days yourself --yahoo will come up with multiple selections at different times of the day and different prices.

You'll also save if you pay in advance for tickets for a flight at least 21 days in the future.

Answer 2

I cut an article out of a magazine awhile ago, so I don't know how current it is considering the way airlines seem to change the rules even as you're making the reservations.

The article quoted Peter Greenberg in his book . He recommended Wednesdays at 1 A.M. The rising fares cycle starts on Friday and then goes back down on Wednesdays. The 24-hr. windows to buy are reloaded right after midnight.

In case you need this info: book a hotel 4 P.M. on Sundays. The reservation clerks need to fill the rooms and the managers usually aren't around this time of day.

I don't know if this will apply to international fares or not. I don't know for sure, but I suspect a lot may have to do with what country you're going to and what the political situation may be. Greenberg's book did say to tour Europe in April, May and September because the weather is good, there are fewer tourists and the fares are lower. The month to avoid is August because Europeans take their vacations then.

Good luck and bon voyage.

Answer 3

i've heard wednesdays.....check out this website for airfare predictions http://www.farecast.com/