USA Today just released some great info if you still need to buy airline tickets for your summer vacation. Use these dates as a good guideline to plan your flight:
U.S. domestic flights
- May 21: Airfare jumps slightly on this date as more expensive pre-summer pricing begins. Depart on or before May 20.
- June 15: Another hike as the most expensive vacation fares go into effect. You can still save something by departing on or before June 14.
- Aug. 30: The fall deal zone gets a little later start than in recent years, but if you can delay a trip until Aug. 30 you will see a drop from peak-season pricing.
For flights to Europe and Asia check this out!
Also, they add this helpful tip too:
- Fly cheap days: For domestic flights Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are usually cheaper than the others (try to avoid Fridays and Sundays). For international flights, midweek dates are often cheaper than weekends.
- Fly connecting flights: Longer flights can often be cheaper if you include a stop, so always compare the price of non-stops and connecting flights. If flying internationally, check out prices for flights with two stops — yes it will be inconvenient, but it might be a lot cheaper.
- Fly cheaper airports: Those in smaller cities should always compare fares from the hometown airport as well as the nearest hub airport. Bigger often means cheaper and if it’s cheap enough, that longer drive to the airport might not seem so long.