Surge in international travelers during vacation season
Five methods to snag discounted air tickets
With the recent explosion in demand for international travel, airlines are realigning their routes and increasing their flight frequencies to accommodate this trend. Today, for our readers planning trips, we have prepared 5 vital tips to get cheaper air tickets. To enhance the ‘quality of travel’ by saving on airfare, being informed is crucial.
1. The Magic of Weekdays
An analysis of billions of search data for the top 20 travel destinations popular among Korean travelers over 3.5 years by Skyscanner has revealed an interesting pattern. Booking for departures on Tuesdays and returns on Thursdays can be about 12% cheaper than the route’s average price. The following formula is Wednesday to Wednesday, which is around 11% cheaper. Monday to Thursday bookings can lower costs by 10%. Avoid booking for Sundays if possible.
2. Clear Your Internet Browsing History
Simply clearing your internet ‘cookies’ can result in cheaper airfare. Conversely, staying on a site too long or frequently revisiting can hike up the ticket price, especially if your desired destination is saved on your mobile, assuming you intend to purchase. Before buying tickets, delete your browsing history. (Use Shift + Control + Delete keys simultaneously, or use incognito mode on mobile.)
3. Buying 16 Weeks Before Departure Can Save 12%?
Discounts on airfare during the summer high season, mainly in July and August, usually peak around March and April, four months prior. The best time to book is about 16 weeks before departure, yielding an average savings of approximately 12%. Based on analyses by Skyscanner and Expedia, domestic flight tickets should ideally be booked at least 2-3 weeks in advance, and international flights 5-6 weeks prior, potentially offering up to a 20% discount. It’s rare for airlines to have set prices for flights more than 8 months out, so there’s no need to book too early.
4. Look Out for Special Airfare Release Days
Purchasing on the special airfare release days set by airlines can secure the best deals. However, each airline’s release day varies, so diligent research is necessary. If you want advance notice of these special deals, setting notifications on the airline apps for routes to your desired destinations is wise. On the release day, using mobile and PC for booking can reduce the risk of missing out due to slow loading times.
5. Book Your Tickets on ‘Sundays’
Airfare can vary depending on the day you book. Fridays are the days to avoid due to many office workers booking post-work and frequent business travelers making reservations, making prices peak. In contrast, Sunday evenings often see the cheapest prices. Airlines tend to drop the prices of unsold weekend tickets. Additionally, Tuesdays usually see a flood of promotions and discount tickets.
By. Ahn Ji-hyun | jihyun@wikitree.co.kr
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