5 Widely Believed Myths For Booking Cheaper Flights (These Aren’t Worth Your Time)
I’ve spent countless hours searching for flights, and looking for the best deals, so that I can use more of my travel budget on the stuff that really matters.
There are things I recommend doing every time you’re looking for flights, which I’ve written about before, that help find the best deals. There are also a lot of myths out there about ways to get cheaper flights, and I want to talk about those here.
Some of these widely believed ‘hacks’ claim to save you hundreds, or even thousands, on flights, but in reality they make no difference at all.
So while I’d suggest checking out the things that do work, here are 5 myths to be aware of, when it comes to finding cheap flights.
Myth 1: It’s Best to Book Flights on a Tuesday
There’s an old belief that booking flights on a Tuesday will get you the lowest price. Though there might’ve been something in that years ago, when many airlines would release deals on Tuesdays, things have changed.
Nowadays, major airlines use advanced pricing algorithms that dynamically adjust fares minute by minute based on factors such as demand, seasonality, competition, and more, regardless of what day of the week it is.
So, there’s no specific day you should book flights for the best deals.
It is worth noting, though, that the day you choose to fly does have an impact. Flying mid-week, especially on a Wednesday, tends to be the cheapest, while Sundays are generally the most expensive, for example.
So, book your flight on whichever day is convenient for you, but if possible, aim to travel mid-week and during the off-peak season.
Myth 2: There’s a Perfect Time to Book
Just as there’s no magic day of the week to book flights, there isn’t necessarily a perfect time frame for booking.
My own experience tells me that 2-3 months before flying is a good time to book, but anything from 1-5 months can be optimal–basically, there’s no magic number of exact days that’ll ensure the best prices.
Again, flight prices are dynamic and calculated with complex algorithms these days, so although I would suggest aiming to book for the rough time frame of 2-3 months before travelling, there is never a perfect time.
Ultimately, the best time to book is when you find a price you’re happy with, and something that works for your budget.
Most airlines offer a 24-hour window to cancel and rebook if you find a better deal as well!
Myth 3: You Should Search in Incognito Mode
Most websites track our online activity with cookies now, so it’s understandable that this is one of the most common and widely believed myths.
So, it seems logical to assume that airlines might track our searches and increase prices if they notice us repeatedly looking for the same routes.
Using a browser’s “incognito mode” disables cookies, and prevents activity being tracked–many believe by doing this, the flights they’re searching for will remain cheaper, but the truth is, that theory has been debunked time and time again.
There’s no solid evidence to suggest that airlines adjust prices based on your browsing activity.
The natural fluctuations of dynamic prices, calculated by algorithms as I mentioned earlier, are often mistaken as being a result of tracking personal activity.
So, using incognito mode won’t help you secure a cheaper flight.
Myth 4: There’s One Best Booking Website
There isn’t one particular place that’ll give you the best prices every time you book flights; Prices vary from site to site, depending on lots of factors, like availability.
My go-to places are Skyscanner and Google Flights, but it’s always a good idea to check a few other sites before booking–I personally do that, to make sure I’m getting the best price. The best site for a flight can vary depending on the route, timing, and competition.
In the end, there’s no single best booking website—only the best option for you at the time you book.
Myth 5: Websites Can Predict Prices
Some websites out there claim to predict when fares will drop, but this is really just an educated guess based on historical data.
They might have some degree of accuracy, but there are many factors that can influence flight prices, such as special events or surges in demand, and they can’t account for them all.
I use Google Flights’ price meter for giving a rough idea of a flight’s historical price range, but no site can consistently predict future pricing accurately.
