Clever tip to get the ‘best deals’ on flights – key time to book

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Whether you’re planning a winter escape or looking ahead to next summer’s holidays, saving money is a hot topic for many Britons this year. However, Nicky Kelvin, head of The Points Guy UKt (@thepointsguyuk), says that being savvy about when you book your trip could help you stay in line with your budget.

He told Express.co.uk: “While it’s nearly impossible to ‘game the system’ and book cheaper airfares on any certain day of the week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often thought of as the best days to travel.

“Leisure travellers tend to fill up the airports over the weekend and business travellers often travel on a Monday, and therefore, those midweek days tend to have a lower demand for flights.”

In a similar vein, making plans as far in advance as possible can help to avoid price hikes aimed at business travellers.

Nicky said: “Last-minute flights tend not to be cheaper, and this is because most airline fares are guided by specific fare buckets that are only available at certain pre-set dates before your flight.

“As a general rule, low-cost airlines will sell their cheapest seats first, so getting in early will secure you the best deals, as they are likely to be the lowest prices you will see.”

Budget airlines, such as easyJet and Ryanair, often host sales throughout the year, though these tend to be reserved for specific flights and routes.

Being open-minded about travel dates and destination, however, could see holidaymakers bagging seats for as little as £10.

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A prime example of this is Ryanair’s winter flash sale. In November 2021, the Irish airline offered fares to destinations across Europe for as little as £9.99.

The 24-hour sale offered 80,000 seats across 530 routes. This is why Nicky believes that flexibility is “key to finding the lowest prices”.

And while peak holiday periods, such as Christmas, half term or the summer holidays, tend to be more expensive, there are quieter periods when prices are likely to fall.

Nicky previously told Express.co.uk: “If you are willing to travel to a destination in low or shoulder season, you are likely to find far cheaper flight and hotel deals.”

How far in advance should I book my flights?

Holidaymakers who have their heart set on a specific destination or have to fly at a certain time of year should begin to look at flights as soon as possible.

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

He explained: “Last-minute deals aren’t going to be very common as airlines try their best to take advantage of business travellers and hike up their last-minute rates.

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

“For peak and holiday seasons, I recommend looking just as the flights start showing up, typically 11 to 12 months in advance.”

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