The Best Day of the Week to Buy Cheap Tickets

Regarding purchasing airline tickets after midnight on Tuesdays (early Wednesday morning), isn’t it essential to know the time zone where the airline’s headquarters is located, or specifically their computer center? If purchasing a ticket from the Pacific Time Zone, for example LA or San Francisco, and the airline’s computer center is in Chicago, then I should check the airline website after 10 PM Pacific time. Correct? Thank you for a great web site!

Hi Peter,
You really got me thinking. Yesterday I’d published some great Hawaii airfare deals on our site. Following your article (which I linked to), I’ve published a follow-on article on seasonal (and day of week) timing for getting the best deals to Hawaii.
Aloha and mahalo,
Jeff

Bob makes a good point. The computers are usually set to the time zone of the relevant airline’s headquarters.

And remember, if you’re really searching for airfares, it is generally true that the more searching you do, the better off you are. Happy hunting!

Great article. I knew there was a system to buying these tickets.

Peter, I followed this advice last fall. I think I heard you talk about just this subject on TV. My family wanted me to come for Christmas but told me the beginning of October. I wasn’t sure I could afford to do so so I began searching. I did put my dates on Farecast so I got daily information. Basically it just reminded me to check. I found the best price a few weeks later Tuesday evening ( I live on the West Coast). I checked with a number of people about the price I got and everyone said I absolutely go the best price and wanted to know what I did. So thanks Peter. Really appreciate the help.
Jeanne

You mentioned that those who traveled overseas in the mid ’90s & early ’00s are entitled to some sort of a rebate. Where could find out more on this? Thank you

Does this apply to booking only directly with the airline or on other travel sites?

I do not see the link to the information about travel to europe from ’96-’04 that you spoke of. I travelled quite often durin this period to the e.u.
Please send me the the information about any recovery of over charges that may be due to me.
Thank you for your web site and radio program. You are of great value to so many of us.
Sincerely
Anthony Vitale

Anthony and Orville, here’s the information you’re looking for about rebates for international credit card fees:

http://www.petergreenberg.com/2008/03/11/news-analysis-the-great-international-credit-card-settlement/

Amy: Generally, only with airlines.

An agent we used to deal with(Mars Travel, Mars, PA 16046) Says he has the lowest prices including thru the internet because everyone is going to the internet.
He was rather cocky about it too. In the past he was bemoaning the internet as it was killing his business.
phone: (724) 625-3571

I have heard you comment that you never check your luggage on an airplane, how do you ship your luggage to an international destination? Thank you for your great website. Mary Jean Dellaquila

Hi, I have been trying to find the best deals for our son’s honeymoon to Maui, Hawaii. We are giving this trip to them and want it to be nice, but we want to save as much money as possible.
I have seen where both airlines and hotel have places where you can place a coupon/discount number. How do you find these coupon/discount codes?
They are wanting to stay at the Grand Wailea Resort and that is an expesive place, but again they have a place where you can enter a code to get a better price. Can you tell me where I can go to be able to find both ariline and hotel discount/coupon codes? It would be a big blessing if I can find the answer to these questions. Of course, I am open to any other hints that you may have for saving money on this honeymoon trip and any others we may take in the future!Many thanks to all!!
Hope all have happy trips and safe travel.
Take care and God Bless!

I am not sure if the advice about buying tickets on Wednesday is still relevant. I tried it and tickets did not change at all and had actually gone up by 6 a.m. I am going to wait some more and hope to find a good deal again but I think airlines must be changing their system to some extent.

Are there certain days of the week that are cheaper to fly? Ex: Mondays or Tuesdays versus Fridays or Saturdays

I love your website.
We live in Raleigh, NC.
We usually go to Mexico City once a year.
When is the best time to go (cheaper) and where can I find cheaper rates.

Thanks

I’ve been looking at fares from Tallahassee to Newark in December around the holidaysfor my two sons away at college. The planes have few occupied seats and the airfares are $400+. Normal fare is about $270. Wouldn’t it be more cost effective to lower the fares and get the plane completely booked . At these rates who can afford to fly?

Peter, Thank you for your books and website! Years back I found you on the raido here in LA before you just got too busy and you had to move on… You have helped me along my travels so much over the years and I just want to say THANK YOU!!!

Randy Reyes
Malibu, California

I just have a big problem with my daughter;’s flight back from Milan Italy from her study abroad.
Last year when she left for Italy in September cheapest way fro her to go is to get arount trip ticket from Philadelphia to Milan. Rather than one way ticket which cost twice as much. and also she didn’t know the exact returning date so we purchased around trip ticket september and return November and didn’t use the November ticket, That went well to send her to Italy. THen I try to buy ticket for her to return to philadelphia after the study . April philly to Milan and july milan to Philly. This was a big problem I found out yester day. It turned out that ticket is invalid because I didn’t use the first part of ticket and return ticket become just gone.
I wasn’t able to reconfirm the flight for her to return. on that around trip tickets. THat single way ticket would have been 1900 one way. In the desparate attempt for bringing my daughter back I booked milan to philadelphia around trip. she will come back on that flight tomorrow. If I had done the first one way to be the actual flight I would have been able to let her fly her back. and she will have return trip to Milan in January which she probably will not able to make it because her school.
Expedia says there was that in their rule I clicked off. and Us air ( I called twice) says there is nothing they could do. once I didn’t use the first half of around ticket the second half disappears.In April I did get cancelled notice. but I thought the flight was cancelled . and when I checked the website that f;ight exsisted. every time I checked my itenerary the right trip was showing up so I never thought that any problem with this $800 tickets.

Peter Can I do anything to fight this?? get some money back??

Also if possible your readers. know this fact. if using around trip ticket to go some where. use the first trip to be actual ticket or else. THey have right to wipe it away from us.

I am taking a cruise from Rome and back on May 15. I am using my United mileage for air. I called every night for ten nights without success for flights on May 14. In desperation, I booked a flight to Milan on May 11, to go to Lake Como, then on to Rome on May 14 or 15.

Are there ways to send the bag to the ship, as I am too frail to drag a large bag in addition to my carry on? . Ellen

I have tried to get a seat on United, calling ten late nights consecutively without results. In desperation, I booked a roundabout way of getting to my destination of Rome. However, I cannot travel light, as I am going on a cruise. Are there ways to send my bag on ahead, or I shall have to drag my bag from Milan to Lake Como and back?

Incidentally, United charges $150 to change a reservation.

Ellen

Looking for a deal feb7-20 for one way from sfo to delhi india. i could not find any good deals.

Not true, I stayed up till 1AM on Wednesday and like a clock the websites changed the prices +$100. Although when I went on the actual website of the company it still had an old price. So I booked with that. I was happy to get that after all. For your information when the companies change their system they not always lower the prices but opposite raise them as it gets closer to the date. So it turns out it is actually cheaper as 12:59AM then at 1:00AM. Just so you know. And if you see “5 seats left” the price is going to go up FOR SURE.

You claim Lagos is the most dangerous city to visit. What is the difference between Lagos and los angeles Watts, or south side of chicago. Get your facts right stupid.

Hi Peter,

Is there a similar trick to booking hotel rooms at a particular time of day/week to get the best deals?

Thank you for confirming the best day to get th best deal on airfare. I remember hearing how buying and traveling during the week was much less expensive than the weekend. Sometimes buying 2 1-way tickets is also cheaper than a round trip ticket.

This is a good link on the best day of the week to buy plane tickets.

I want to fly to Madrid in September and I am trying to book my flight before it gets too expensive. I missed the drop in price from last night (tues night/wed morning) and am so upset about it! By the time next wednesday comes will the flights have gone up? or will they drop down again that night? Thanks for the help!

Hi Peter — I’m desperate to find a cheap ticket from New York to Los Angeles for next Tues/Wed, and was holding out until today to buy it based on your article, but the prices seem to be going up today instead of down — any quick advice you can offer?! Would be MUCH appreciated!

Peter, I have a question about the best time to buy airline tickets. I see its 1 AM Wednesday. Is that east coast time?
Thanks for your help.
Rob

Peter,
I have a question about the time of day to purchase airline tickets. I see its 1AM on Wednesday. I was wondering if that was East Coast time?
Thanks for your help.
Rob

I wonder if the same theory works in the UK, I will have to keep an eye on things, because if there is a good deal to be had, I want it.

I am looking for the best deals to maui this spring. When is the best time to book? Should I wait for the Holiday madness to go away or book now? What would a good rate be? I am traveling with 3 kids and don’t want to have a long lay over.

sticker shocked

These are great tips that should really help me the next time I travel.

I just wanted to share my story regarding this topic on buying an airline ticket late Tues., into early Wed. morning. I was trying to fly from Louisiana to California (LAX) so I started searching multiple airlines. The best fare I saw was for a major established airline (not a new airline) for about $330, and this was on Wed., Jan. 6, 2010. But, I decided not to purchase then because one of Peter’s tips on this blog is that you should try not to buy tickets for a few days after the major pay periods (i.e. the 1st and the 15th). However, today on Wed., Jan. 13, 2010 I was looking up fares at that airline and the price for the exact same trip with the same scheduled stops and everything was going for about 600! So, I guess the moral of this story is that you shouldn’t try to hold out for a better deal so close to the travel date, as I had wanted to leave on Sat., Jan. 16, 2010 and return about a week later on Sunday. I hope this helps!

looking to go away to caribbean resort between february 12 – 19 from ny/nj ….any suggestions on big discounts

What about buying a long time in advance?

Will be trying out these tips very soon.

This is good information. I appreciate it, but the big question is. What time zone are you talking about? I’m in the Czech Republic right now and I’m looking for a ticket back to the states. One hour after midnight here is about noon where I’m travelling to. And even in the United States there is quite a big difference between the East coast and the West coast. So what’s the solution there?

I’m really glad I found this blog. I appreciate your sharing this information and look forward to your answer.

Have a great day.

-C

We live in Norfolk, NE but would fly out of Omaha Ne. Would like to leave Omaha on June 19th in the early am an return on June 26th. Fly to Austin Texas where my sister lives

how far in advance should you purchase airline tickets?

I bought my ticket three months in advance. Got the row I wanted and the seat by the window. A few days before I took my trip I was advised my ticket had been changed. I was now in the last row in the back of the plane…seat did not recline at all. Sat straight up all the way to Vegas on a hot, steamy plane in a miserable seat with crabby Flight Attendents. So much for buying in advance. Oh, by the way, my suitcase arrived two days AFTER I did. Thanks Delta…..

OK, I think I understand why to buy tickets after Tues midnight, (Wed. 1:00) but now I am wondering if this it Eastern Standard time?

does that mean midnight EDT or can you go with local time…PDT?

In my limited experience, I have found that prices are low on Tuesday and go up on Wednesday. 

A flight agent told me that as they book flights on a plane the first section of seating starting with the front of the plane was cheaper and as they get to the back of the plane. The price drastically increases… Weird eh?

that 1am time is what…east coast?  does this apply to overseas companies as well, but still based on that stateside tuesday night thing?

Here is another tip I read in a book of secrets.
Last number of your ticket has significant meaning.
0 = Always on time
9 = Always late

The closer to “0″ the last number is, the better.
The closer to “9″ the last number is, the worse.

PETER,  I LOVE TO TRAVEL AND YOUR ADVISE IS CRITICAL TO MY DECISIONS!  THEREFORE I CONSIDER YOU A “MEMBER OF THE TRIBE”  THE KEEP MOVING KIND   I AM A SINGLE, YOUNG GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND FOLLOW MOST OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS.

SO NU?? WHERE DO I FIND A TRAVELING??  NOTHING UNDER 60 YRS.  REMEMBER A SURE PLACE IN HEAVEN IS MAKING A GOOD ‘SHIDACH;

LUV….ESTHER AT LIWAZER@AOL.COM

you say book your flight at 1am in the morning is this eastern or pacific time zone?

Don, that’s the time zone in which the airline is based. Delta is based in Atlanta, American in Dallas, etc.

This are quite useful information! I never imagined that Wednesday is so special.

that’s weird that you says Wednesday b/c according to an ABC editor, it’s TUESDAY!