Smart tip to get the ‘best deals’ on flights – the most important time to book

Whether you’re planning a winter break or looking ahead to the next summer break, saving money is a hot topic for many Brits this year. However, Nicky Kelvin, head of The Points Guy UKt (@thepointsguyuk), says that if you know well when you book your trip, you can stay in line with your budget.

He told express.co.uk: “While it is nearly impossible to ‘play the system’ and book cheaper airfares on any given day of the week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often seen as the best days to trip.

“Recreational travelers tend to fill up the airports on weekends and business travelers often travel on Mondays, so those midweek days tend to have lower demand for to flee.”

In the same vein, planning price increases for business travelers as early as possible can help prevent them.

Nicky said: “Last minute flights aren’t usually cheaper, and this is because most airline fares are set by specific fare groups that are only available on certain pre-set dates before your flight.

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A good example of this is Ryanair’s winter flash sale. In November 2021, the Irish airline was offering fares to destinations across Europe for just £9.99.

The 24-hour sale offered 80,000 seats on 530 routes. That’s why Nicky believes flexibility is the key to finding the lowest prices.

And while peak holidays, such as Christmas, mid-year or summer holidays, tend to be more expensive, there are quieter periods when prices are likely to drop.

Nicky previously told Express.co.uk: “If you’re willing to travel to a destination in the off- or mid-season, you’ll likely find much cheaper flights and hotel deals.”

How far in advance should I book my flights?

Vacationers who have their sights set on a specific destination or need to fly at a specific time of year should start looking at flights as soon as possible.

Jack Sheldon, a self-proclaimed “cheap flight hacker” and founder of Jack’s Flight Clubprides itself on helping people find the best deals possible.

He explains: “Last-minute deals won’t be very common as airlines do their best to take advantage of business travelers and increase their last-minute fares.

“Six to 12 weeks in advance is the sweet spot, but it varies greatly.

“For peak and holiday seasons, I recommend checking when the flights show up, usually 11 to 12 months in advance.”