The Smartest Time to Book Flights Could Save You Hundreds, Study Finds
A new report reveals how pairing PTO with mid-week flights and off-season travel can stretch your vacation days and your budget further than you think.
If you’ve ever stared at flight prices for your dream trip and felt your bank account quietly scream, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: there’s a real strategy behind saving money on travel, and it comes down to timing.
Money-saving experts at Wethrift analyzed flight and hotel data from Kayak and found that the clever use of PTO days, paired with the right booking windows, can stretch your vacation time and your budget further than you’d think.
Cheapest Days to Fly
Forget about Sunday departures and Friday returns. The data shows those “convenient” days are some of the priciest. Instead, mid-week is where the real bargains are hiding.
Tuesday is the clear champion, with 14 major destinations offering lower prices, including London, Tokyo, and Istanbul.
Wednesday isn’t far behind, unlocking deals in 11 cities like Paris, Singapore, and Amsterdam.
Monday can get you to Rome, Barcelona, or Dubai at a discount.
Sunday and Thursday still have savings potential, but they’re limited to fewer spots.
Nick Drewe, Founder and CEO of Wethrift, summed it up best: “The data clearly points to mid-week travel as the sweet spot for deals. By aligning your PTO with these booking times, you’re essentially getting more value for your vacation days.”
The Cheapest Months to Travel
Timing isn’t just about the day of the week; your month matters too!
February takes the crown with 11 major destinations slashing prices: Macau (Macau), Paris (France), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Rome (Italy), Tokyo (Japan), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Barcelona (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Jaipur (India), Cancún (Mexico), and Dublin (Ireland)
September offers up savings across 10 cities: Bangkok (Thailand), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Delhi (India), Phuket (Thailand), Taipei (Taiwan), Guangzhou (China), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Shanghai (China), and Chennai (India)
January offers fresh-start deals to 7 destinations: London (United Kingdom), Istanbul (Turkey), Seoul (South Korea), Denpasar (Indonesia), Berlin (Germany), Venice (Italy), and Madrid (Spain)
November provides pre-holiday escapades to 5 spots: Antalya (Turkey), Shenzhen (China), Osaka (Japan), Milan (Italy), and Athens (Greece)
October keeps it cozy with 4 autumn deals: Singapore (Singapore), Mumbai (India), Medina (Saudi Arabia), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
Strategic PTO Planning
Here’s where things get interesting. Americans receive an average of just 11 paid vacation days a year, but nearly half don’t even use them all. Wethrift’s findings show that pairing PTO with these cheaper booking times is like multiplying your days off.
For example, take Tuesday through Thursday off, then bookend it with the weekend. Suddenly, you’ve got a five-day trip—think sipping wine in Barcelona or exploring temples in Tokyo—while only using three vacation days. That’s travel math worth doing.
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