Travelers are often left in a daze when it comes to booking cheap air ticket: do I book now or wait for a price drop. One reason for this casino like atmosphere is the term 'revenue management' practiced by the airlines. All carriers are trying to squeeze the maximum financial gain out from every single seat sold on their airline. The rates are constantly reduced and increased by a complex algorithm which goes through millions of fares every day. Since its a constantly changing scenario, it can be really tricky to the fit the swinging rates into a predictable pattern. Experts from the airline industry however suggest that it is not all random and chaotic as it seems. These are the few generalized but very effective methods to help you book cheap flight tickets every single time.
Book Early :- Booking early can be a double edged sword, book too early and you could be lamenting on paying up to $100 more than your ought to; book too late and once again you would be overspending for a ticket which you could have gotten much cheaper. Experts say the ideal time is 3-4 weeks before departure, when the airlines will be desperate to get rid of the empty seats. While making your air ticket booking, check for the fares 30 days out, then 21 and finally 14 to see if there is any savings.
Don't wait too long :- If you flown to the destination before and you feel there is not much difference in the pricing, go ahead and book it. In short, if you feel it is a fair price, don't get too greedy and hope for a further price drop.
Use fare comparison sites :- This is single most vital tool in your arsenal for booking cheap air tickets. There are several price comparison sites out there, but the popular ones are Kayak, Mobissimo and Travelocity. Once you have compared the prices, visit the websites of the carrier and check the prices. This will give you a fair idea on where to make the booking. Airlines release the new fares around 10 pm every Tuesday, so this has been generally regarded as a good time to check for fares.
Fly Midweek :- Numerous research has shown Tuesdays and Wednesdays to be days with the cheapest flights. Try to fly out and in during one of these days and you're guaranteed a major savings in your air tickets.
Stay away from holidays and events :- The airlines know that there will be an increased demand and travelers will be willing to pay extra. If it is absolutely necessary to fly during the holidays, try to check for special discounts that are often advertised as holiday prices. Sign up for newsletters and follow popular travel websites and carriers on social media so you get instant notifications on these promotions.
Martin Wynn
