Wondering when the best time to book a flight is? These tips for booking will help you save BIG when you travel!<\/em><\/p>\n Know the best time to book a flight and how with our flight hacks and tricks. You\u2019ll never overpay for a flight again after using these!<\/p>\n For years, airlines have been accused of hiking rates based on your previous search history. However, according to Thrifty Travelers<\/a>, that\u2019s not the case, and searching for flights using incognito tabs is doing nothing for you. What\u2019s more, they even claim buying tickets on Tuesdays<\/a> isn\u2019t necessarily saving you money either.<\/p>\n Instead, when researching travel deals, start checking for flights early. This will require planning or some flexibility if you\u2019re simply just looking for a great deal to pop up. Signing up for alerts will allow you to score a flight deal effortlessly. Google Flights<\/a> is a free and easy way to get alerted about flight deals across many different airlines.<\/p>\n Most people pick where they want to vacation, book their accommodations, and then find a flight. However, planning your trips this way\u00a0could end up being the single most costly travel mistake you could make. I recently learned this after planning my entire honeymoon first and then trying to book round-trip tickets to Greece based on specific dates.<\/p>\n If you have the flexibility the single best travel tip you could learn is to book cheap flights first and then book everything else. Thrifty Travelers blog calls this The Flight First Rule<\/a>. Making this tip second nature could end up saving you hundreds of dollars.<\/p>\n It may have never occurred to you, but driving slightly farther to an airport could save you hundreds of dollars on your ticket. Although it may be a little more of a drive, it could also save you travel time.<\/p>\n Take my search to Athens above, for example. The BWI airport is closer to my home and typically where I always fly out of, but what I found out when booking a trip to Greece is that they never fly directly to Athens. This means the flights tend to be pricier and not as convenient as other airports. When compared to Newark, Deleware, which is just 1.5 hours farther for me to drive, I could save over $400 on one roundtrip ticket. They even have direct flights costing nearly $60 less and would save me a minimum of 4 hours of flight time. Note that prices always vary, but this trick has always seemed to work for me regardless of the day or time of year you travel.<\/p>\n What\u2019s a positioning flight you ask?! A positioning flight is a flight taken to get to a specific airport where you can start a more important flight, making it cheaper and\/or more convenient.<\/p>\n For example, if you find a great deal on an international flight that leaves from another city, you might take a positioning flight from your airport to get to that city first. These flights are usually short, inexpensive, and are just a way to get you in place for your main trip and save some cash.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not\u00a0when\u00a0<\/em>you book the flight, it\u2019s what day you\u2019re actually flying that could save you money. According to Thrifty Travelers<\/a>, the cheapest days of the week to fly are typically Tuesdays<\/strong>, Wednesdays<\/strong>, and Thursdays<\/strong>. Like many of the best ways to save on flights, this may not always be the case but should be one of the things you always check before booking a trip on a more peak travel day.<\/p>\n While Wednesdays are normally cheap flight days, the day before Thanksgiving falls on a Wednesday every year and is a high-demand day for travelers. This is just one example of keeping holidays in mind when booking flights. Your trip may have nothing to do with a holiday, but airlines almost always raise prices during these days.<\/p>\n It\u2019s recommended to always book your flights at least 30-45 days in advance<\/strong>. This is because anything later than that is likely to be jacked up in price. Airlines realize that people booking last-minute flights are typically desperate and are likely to pay whatever they need to get to their destination. Booking earlier rather than later could save you hundreds.<\/p>\n This also means if you\u2019re going to start hunting for flight deals, you\u2019ll want to start about a year in advance. Although you may not end up booking a year in advance, you\u2019ll be able to closely watch flights over the next few months and be ready when you see a dip.<\/p>\n Google Flights is great for finding cheap flights because it\u2019s easy to use, tracks prices with alerts, and shows flexible date options. It also compares prices across the board for many different airlines which booking directly with one airline won\u2019t do. This allows you to compare prices quickly and also know if they\u2019re a good price for the time you\u2019re planning to book. They also don\u2019t charge extra booking fees and they have a new Price Guarantee feature which is offered for certain flights.<\/p>\n After booking my honeymoon for two to Greece on an Emirates nonstop flight using 64,680 points and just $64.60 in taxes and fees I can\u2019t praise booking with points enough. And I could have even used half the amount of points if I didn\u2019t choose \u201cpreferred seating\u201d. Honestly, the ability to use points deserves a post all on its own! Once you get the hang of booking with points, you\u2019ll never want to pay cash for a flight again. \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffc<\/p>\n The most basic way to use points for flights is to fly often and with the same carrier so you can earn their rewards and redeem them for future flights. However, you can also rack up some serious points without<\/em> flying when you use credit cards that offer rewards!<\/p>\n You certainly don\u2019t want to go into debt just to use points so I don\u2019t encourage anyone to get a credit card unless they\u2019re financially responsible. That said, if you can be strategic about how you\u2019re making your purchases and you\u2019re good about making on-time payments, you can rack up quite a bit of points to use for future flights. You can also use these points for much more such as booking hotels, rentals, using towards credit card payments, and more!<\/p>\n I personally pay for all my bills, groceries, and other expenses on my credit card to rack up points and then make weekly payments to pay off my card. Even better, some of the sign-up bonuses when you\u2019re approved for a card could potentially get you a free flight alone!<\/p>\n Hip Tip: <\/strong>Be mindful when booking international flights that your credit card doesn\u2019t charge foreign transaction fees. Sometimes these are counterintuitive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Travel insurance can give you peace of mind during your travels if anything were to happen. When booking a flight, you\u2019ll almost always be prompted to purchase insurance for your flight. However, all airlines use different insurances and the coverage will vary so if you opt to book directly with a flight then be sure to read the fine print.<\/p>\n Deciding whether you want trip insurance or not is up to you. However, if you know without a doubt you want to purchase it for an expensive trip, you may want to compare policies and prices to an outside travel insurance company first. Companies like Travelex<\/a> or SquareMouth<\/a> have policies that could potentially cover hotel costs, unexpected medical costs, and more than booking directly with your flight won\u2019t offer. Read more about the best travel insurance to use right now<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never heard of a stopover flight<\/strong>, this is your opportunity to potentially see two bucket list cities for the price of one! This is an especially genius hack when flying internationally, too! The cost of a stopover flight can vary widely based on several factors, including the airline, the route, the duration of the stopover, and the time of year. However, in many cases, airlines offer stopovers at little to no extra cost<\/strong> compared to a direct flight because they want to encourage travelers to explore their hub cities.<\/p>\n A stopover flight is when your trip has a long break in another city before you reach your final destination. Instead of just changing planes quickly, you get off the plane and can spend up to a week exploring that city. It\u2019s a way to visit two places in one trip and maximize your time and overall flight.<\/p>\n Airline baggage fees can vary widely depending on the airline, destination, and even the type of ticket you purchased. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to well over $100 for a checked bag so carrying your luggage and a personal item may be your best option to save money. Keep in mind that luxury airlines, business, or first-class tickets often include additional free baggage allowances, so it\u2019s always best to check with your airline to see if this is a way you can save some cash before booking.<\/p>\n Hip Tip:\u00a0<\/strong>These are the best travel backpack<\/a> options that potentially pack more than your actual carry-on!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When it comes to your hotel the same rules apply: book in advance<\/strong> (at least 50+ days ahead), on weekdays<\/strong>, and\u2026 in multiple reservations.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a tip you may not have already known\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It could<\/em> be more cost-effective to split your hotel reservation into multiple nights. Before checking out, play around with your booking. You can take your one three-night stay and turn it into three one-night stays, and it could save you as it did for Carly from 52 Cities<\/a>!<\/p>\n (Note that there may be a small fee for switching rooms and\/or keys, or you can call ahead and possibly request staying in the same room).<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n On the other hand, if you don\u2019t mind taking the risk, some travel experts say that booking hotel rooms one to three days prior to your stay can save you big time (but, of course, runs the risk of not having any vacancies and leaving you stranded when you arrive). If you do choose the last-minute route, consider resources like Hotel Tonight<\/a>, an app that operates specifically to find last-minute hotel deals.<\/p>\n But the BEST tip for saving when you book a hotel under any circumstance is, of course, to find one with free cancellation policies.<\/strong> This will allow you to book a hotel room for the cheapest possible rate way ahead of time. You can then cancel it for free if you find a better deal. It\u2019s a safer bet than relying on last-minute room availability.<\/p>\n Hip Tip<\/strong>: Prefer Airbnb<\/a>? You can sometimes score HUGE savings if you book reservations for at least a week. The difference is sometimes so noticeable that it may be worth it to book a longer stay even if you don\u2019t use all of the days.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n While some folks love booking everything themselves (read the next tip for info on that \ud83d\ude09), it can get a little overwhelming if you\u2019re traveling with a large group. That\u2019s where CostcoTravel.com<\/a> comes in with travel packages, including flights, hotels, transportation, activities, and more.<\/p>\n \u27a1\ufe0f Don\u2019t have a Costco membership<\/a> yet? Now\u2019s the perfect time to get one!<\/strong><\/p>\n Get yourself signed up for a Costco membership so you can start taking advantage of all of the store perks, along with the travel savings! Plus, Executive Members can score an annual 2% reward<\/a> on Costco Travel purchases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n My Hip sidekick, Bryn, uses Costco travel services and loves them! Here\u2019s what she has to say about her experience:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cI have used Costco Travel twice in the last year, and I\u2019m obsessed with it! First, my hubby and I traveled to Maui in early 2021 and got an AMAZING deal to stay at the Ritz Carlton! We would normally never splurge on a hotel like this. However, the Costco package ended up costing us the SAME amount that we would pay if we stayed in a standard Maui hotel. Plus, the Costco package came with a rental car, daily $100 resort credit, daily breakfast for two, waived mandatory daily resort fee, AND complimentary daily valet parking. It was awesome!! Then, in March 2021, we booked a Costco Package to go to Scottsdale, Arizona! This package included a car rental, a daily breakfast for two, and the waived mandatory daily resort fee. This all added up to huge savings for our family. I cannot say enough good things about my experiences!\u201d\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 Bryn<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Most cruise lines start releasing their itineraries 18 months in advance<\/a> and try to get those cabins filled ASAP. Once they hit 90 days before launch, they start slashing prices to fill up the remaining rooms. The options will be slim, and you\u2019ll have to be flexible with your plans. However, it\u2019s a great way to score a last-minute cruise deal!<\/p>\n Consider these other travel deals happening now!<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Southwest](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Southwest-Airlines-Sests.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C479&strip=all\")
<\/p>\nKnow the best time to book a flight with our helpful tips to save time and money when flying:<\/h2>\n
1. Ignore the myth about searching incognito and sign up for price alerts instead.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"hand](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/google-flights-prices.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C508&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n2. Don\u2019t plan your trip first; be flexible and buy cheap flights first if you can.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"airplane](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/airplane-wing.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C608&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n3. Consider booking flights at a different airport or one that flies more frequently to your destination rather than the closest one to your house.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/flight-price-difference-.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C877&strip=all\")
<\/p>\nIf you can\u2019t drive to an airport with more affordable airfare, look into booking a \u201cpositioning flight\u201d.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"gate](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/travel-airport-gate.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C479&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n4. Fly on the least busiest days of the week to save on flights.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"january](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/calendar-when-to-fly.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C693&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n5. Be mindful of holidays when booking flights.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"airport](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/airport-flight-list-2.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C608&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n6. Don\u2019t book flights last minute or it could cost you big bucks.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Southwest](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Southwest-Airlines.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C479&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n7. Always use Google Flights to compare the best prices.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"laptop](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/google-flights.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C484&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n8. Learn how to book tickets with points and potentially get them free.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"phone](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/flights-booked-with-points.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C560&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n![\"hand](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/travel-points-credit-cards.jpeg?w=912&resize=912%2C520&strip=all\")
<\/p>\nHere are my top 2 choices for the current best credit card rewards:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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9. Consider travel insurance that will cover all your trip expenses not just your flight.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"pile](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/dollar-bills-paper-currency-money.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C608&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n10. Get a BOGO flight and see two cities for the price of one. <\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"woman](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/airport-parking-2-1.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C608&strip=all\")
<\/p>\nSome popular airlines that offer stopover programs include:<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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11. Save even more when booking your flight by opting to carry on your luggage.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"white](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/travel-backpack-personal-item-sizer.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C515&strip=all\")
<\/p>\nHere are some key tips to keep in mind when booking your accommodations (after your flights, of course). \ud83d\ude09<\/h2>\n
1. Be strategic with how you book your hotels after you book flights.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/hotel-room.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C608&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n\n
![\"hand](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/hawaii-fruit-bowl-1.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C608&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n2. Consider Costco<\/a> for awesome travel deals and when booking with groups.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"holding](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Costco-1.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C479&strip=all\")
You may think of Costco<\/a> as a place to score great deals on all kinds of products (and you\u2019re not wrong!), but did you know that Costco also has some incredible deals on travel without the hassle of having to book everything separately?<\/p>\n\n
<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/em><\/p>\n3. Your best bet for cruise travel deals is to be flexible.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"carnival](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/carnival-cruise.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C479&strip=all\")
<\/p>\n![\"air](\"https:\/\/hip2save.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/air-bnb-cabin-view-.jpg?w=912&resize=912%2C439&strip=all\")
<\/h2>\nNow that you\u2019ve gotten the best travel deals, have some fun on your vacation!<\/h2>\n
Read up on these clever & frugal ways to vacation on a budget:<\/strong><\/h4>\n