August marks the end of the chaotic vacation traffic, offering budding travelers the freedom to explore the world without burning holes in their pockets. The onset of autumn means relief from long sunny days and a cheaper time to start traveling.
Cheap Flight Day was established in 2015 to encourage travel with low airfare deals. However, understanding the travel industry and the dynamic nature of airlines, it is unlikely to get the same deal or discount every year. The price may also vary from airline to airline, but passengers certainly get a better discount than usual days. According to Packedbag data, travelers have booked flights at discounts ranging from 10% to 20% on Cheap Flight Day.
The History of Cheap Flight Day
Why was August chosen for Cheap Flight Day? The reason could be the end of the summer vacation, which results in a drop in travel. The next peak season starts around late November, with Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year in the U.S., and the winter holiday season.
While no official document formally states the origin of Cheap Flight Day, this concept emerged after analyzing the low travel months. The Travel industry experts observed late August as a low season when airfare tends to be low compared to the peak season. Airlines reduce the airfare after a peak summer season, luring more travelers to book flights for shoulder season travel. This makes August the right time to plan a vacation and book cheap flights. Later, travel bloggers and media promoted this day so that travelers could book with the lowest fares.
How Not to Miss a Cheap Flight Day?
Every year, the 23rd of August is marked as Cheap Flight Day. Many travel agencies, online booking platforms, and airlines run cheap flight campaigns and deals. Here is how you can grab a cheap flight day deal:
- Set alerts for price drops.
- Be flexible with travel dates and times.
- If you see a good deal, it’s best to book it immediately.
- Compare prices across different airlines and travel agencies.
Booking cheap flights requires a lot of research and strategic timing. If you do not want to wait for Cheap Flight Day deals, here are some tips to help book a flight with the lowest airfare.
- Flights are generally cheaper during off-peak times, such as mid-week days (Tuesday and Wednesday) and shoulder seasons (late fall and early spring). Booking mid-week flights for the shoulder season can help you save on airfare.
- Go for a date with the lowest price. Many booking sites offer flexible date search options that show you the cheapest days to fly around your preferred dates.
- Book in advance. The best time to book domestic flights is usually 1-3 months in advance, while international flights are cheaper when booked 2-8 months ahead.
- Search for flights in incognito mode. Also, clear your browser cookies to avoid price increases based on your search history.
- Book flights with low-cost airlines and choose premium economy as your cabin selection. Premium economy provides greater comfort than economy class at a more affordable price than business class.
- Check additional fees for baggage and other service charges to minimize the flight cost.
- Join frequent flyer programs or get travel credit cards that offer rewards points or cashback on flight purchases.
- Check flights to and from nearby airports, which can sometimes be cheaper than your primary airport.
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