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The best time to shop for US flights

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor September 5, 2008 07:24 AM


My pal, Rick Seaney of Farecompare, reminds us that the best time to start looking is Monday at 3 p.m. through Wednesday.
This is why. Domestic carriers can file information about fares to the reservation systems three times a day during the week -- and once a day on weekends (International carriers can file as many as five times a day).
Airlines typically put sales up Monday morning at the 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. periods, and those prices go live about two to three hours later.
In the next 24-hour period, other airlines start matching the sales prices -- or sometimes they don't. But if they do that's when you'll find the best prices. The sales tend to expire late Friday.
OK, that's the best time. When is the worst? Airlines usually file fare increases late Thursday and Friday so shopping at the end of the week through the weekend tends to be less advantageous.

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3 comments so far...

  1. I would have to believe your frined is more knowledgeable/credible than I am, and knows what he's talking about, but I recently had a totally inverse experience. I booked 3 different trips last Friday for substantially cheaper (+-30%) than the indentical itineraries were listed for the day before. This included 2 separate itineraries the week of Thanksgiving.

    Posted by PT September 6, 08 11:40 AM

  1. always looking for special airfare between bos to rsw
    or mht to rsw

    Posted by j pandiscio September 6, 08 12:45 PM

  1. I thought you might be interested in this article.
    Bob

    Posted by Louise September 7, 08 12:23 AM
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