The Best Time To Book A Flight
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After flying last week, I was not only appalled that each bag cost $25 to check in, but also that flights no longer serve complimentary food! When I landed in LA, I had spent over $300 for a round trip flight to NYC, $50 on checked luggage, and about $25 on food on my flight. I couldn’t believe it, and I was more than agitated. Thankfully, a recent study found that passengers pay the lowest amount (almost 6 percent) below the overall average fare if they book their flight six weeks before departing–I will definitely keep this in mind.
This just goes to show that even when booking flights, timing is essential. I have been wondering what the best time to book flights was for years. This has been an ongoing debate between my friends, family and co-workers. No one really seems to know when to book and when not to book–especially since flight prices change every day.
The study, done by Airlines Reporting Corp., an Arlington, Va. company, showed that tickets also began to rise dramatically about a week before the day of travel, and if passengers book the same day, prices could rise up to 40 percent.
Chuck Thakson, managing director of date and analytics for the firm, explained, “We’re not advising people to purchase tickets only at the time during the cycle as there is no guarantee they will receive the lowest price of the year. It is just that the date indicates we have seen this pattern over the last four years.”
Moral of the story: Book flights ahead of time… with all of the hidden costs once you get to the airport, it pays to be prepared!
