Best times to book flights to get cheapest rates, according to travel experts

Sometimes all you need is a holiday, but as fun as last-minute getaways can be – they can also be pricey.

There’s no better feeling than the scorching sun hitting your face as you walk off the plane at your sunny destination – and it’s made even sweeter when you manage to save some cash.

But with so many booking sites, airlines and deals, it can get a little overwhelming to book something when all you want to do is pack your suitcase and go. Thankfully, we’ve quizzed a range of travel experts to do the hard work for you – as they’ve shared their top tips on securing the best deals without any stress.

Bart Quinton Smith, Managing Director of First Choice holiday deals website said there are a few things you can do, and shopping around will help hugely. He said looking for brand new hotels can help keep costs low.

“It can be harder to sell and fill new hotels so often you can get great deals, get in early before word spreads and prices rise. Companies will often announce their latest new destinations and hotels on social or their site, so check there for new and potentially cheaper deals,” he explained.

If you’re a bit more organised, Bart also suggested planning your getaway around certain booking times. He said many companies will have big sales around “key points of the year” and these include January New Year, and Black Friday in November. He added that sometimes non-standard durations such as six or eight nights can be cheaper than 7-14 nights.

“There are also set times of the year when deals will be cheapest such as January to March, Early May, October and late November to the middle of December,” the expert revealed. Bart also shared that certain flight time hacks can also help secure the best offers. He said: “Flying on a Monday Tuesday or Wednesday is usually cheaper than Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and going later in the day is always cheaper than mornings.

Lastly, Bart suggested having a “backup” as plans can change and holidays may need to be cancelled or altered – which can incur even more costs. He said: “Try booking with a company that will offer flexibility when it comes to cancelling. First Choice has just launched Flex as a bookable extra which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 48 hours in advance and get the cost of your holiday back.”

These points are further echoed by Travel Expert John Marshall from Wenningdale Escapes. John said it can be much cheaper to travel in “off-peak times”. “Bank holidays and summer are naturally a more expensive time to book a trip so if it is possible, try and travel off-peak or in the week – these trips will always be the most competitively priced,” he said.

John also suggested booking with destinations directly as they may have “specific last-minute trips or deals that aren’t available elsewhere,” and said to keep an eye on their social media accounts. “If there is somewhere very specific you want to visit, definitely keep an eye on their socials. Often travel companies will post last-minute availability here so be sure to set alerts for them posting to bag a trip! In addition, sign up for any newsletters or comms which may include updates.”

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