Real ‘golden window’ to book the cheapest flights revealed as experts debunk myth about day of the week hack

THE real window to book the cheapest flights has been revealed, and it has nothing to do with the day of the week.

For years, travelers have clung to the idea that Tuesdays or Saturdays offer the best deals.

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But new data from Expedia and Google shows the day-of-week hack doesn’t hold up.

Flight pricing now runs on dynamic models that shift based on demand and other real-time factors.

Travel tipster Honeyfund, who has over 6,000 followers on TikTok, shared a video sharing some advice on when to book flights.

“If everyone knew what day was cheapest to book, you really think airlines would offer best deals on that day,” the TikTok user said.

The key to saving money now lies in timing, not weekdays.

Honeyfund recommended started looking at flight prices about three months ahead of your trip.

For international trips, she said monitoring even sooner is better.

She said the “golden window” for booking international flights is about six months in advance.

“This is especially important for trips to Europe and Asia,” Honeyfund said.

“Research shows that flights to Mexico and the Caribbean don’t require as much advanced booking.”

WHEN TO BOOK

Expedia’s Air Hacks report found the best time to book domestic flights is 34 to 86 days before departure.

Travelers who book in that window can save an average of 25% on tickets.

Google’s data backed that up, showing prices bottom out around 44 days ahead of takeoff.

The ideal range for low fares is 21 to 60 days before departure, the study said.

Hopper, a fare-tracking site, recommends booking 25 to 150 days before flying.

That matches Google’s findings, which pinpoint the average low at 38 days out for US routes.

“The historical low price range is 21-52 days before takeoff,” said James Byers, Google’s search product manager.

Flight alert tools like Google Flights, Kayak, and Skyscanner now track price changes and send real-time updates.

“You can still follow tips for better pricing following a booking window leading up to your trip,” Honeyfund added.

Experts say the cheapest summer fares are likely to appear soon and could vanish just as fast.

Setting alerts early and acting fast is key to scoring the lowest price.

Buying luggage at the right time can also save you money, as that price fluctuates too.