5 Best Times To Get the Biggest Deals on Your Vacation This Year
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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In the depths of winter, you might be thinking: it’s time for a vacation. Depending on your circumstance, you might be right, but there are actually some key times for when best to book your vacation in 2025. That’s because there are deals, discounts and ways to save money when you coordinate your travel booking appropriately.
“Booking early is great, but it’s not enough these days for those on tight budgets,” said Fred Harrington, travel expert and CEO of Coupon Mister. “Marketers know that we know, so they don’t make it easy to find the best deals. To really save money, we have to book during optimal times.”
With Harrington’s expertise, here are five of the best times to get the biggest deals on your vacation this year.
Book Domestic Flights One to Two Months In Advance
“Booking domestic travel one to two months before your departure date is considered the ‘sweet spot’ to get the best deals,” Harrington explained.
That’s because flight schedules are released by the airlines during this point in time, however, prices for last minute bookings have yet to increase as the departure date nears. When you book during this window, there is a large offering of flight options. Plus, you get in early on lower pricing.
Book International Flights Three to Six Months In Advance
When it comes to going out of the country, it is best to wait and book three to six months before your flight takes off. This timeframe is when the best deals tend to be available to travelers.
“The three to six months window is again considered the sweet spot because the prices are often at their lowest during this time,” Harrington said.
Book on Weekdays
Weekdays, specifically Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, tend to have lower travel demand compared to weekends according to Coupon Mister’s findings.
This is due to the fact that most travelers are aiming for vacation days that book pleasure around business, namely focusing on trying to time their getaways for holidays and weekends. This ups the price of hotels and airfare from the higher demand.
Book on Tuesday
If you can swing it, book your travel on Tuesdays. Hotels, airlines and rental companies tend to promote offers, discounts and package deals towards the beginning of the week. Oftentimes, you can get a better bargain on your vacation if you book it Monday evening or Tuesday morning.
“Airlines specifically use revenue management systems that analyze demand and adjust prices accordingly,” Harrington explained. “These systems typically run on Mondays and Tuesdays, so the lowest fares are often released early in the week and disappear quickly as more people book.”
At the Last Minute
“If you’re a spontaneous traveler, you can also take advantage of last-minute deals and snag great bargains,” Harrington said. “Companies offer discounted rates for unsold flights and hotel rooms to fill vacancies, making it a risky but great time to reserve a vacation in 2025.”
Airlines have the ability to increase the cost of tickets the closer the departure date gets, though in the midst of the price hikes, deals can often be discovered in the form of flash sales.
“Sign up for newsletters and alerts from airlines and travel companies to be notified of last-minute deals and specials,” Harrington explained.
“The key to booking a great vacation in 2025 is to book at specific times, be flexible with your travel dates and take advantage of possible discounts and deals,” Harrington added. “By considering these best times to book a vacation, you can save money and have an amazing experience without breaking the bank.”
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