Does buying airfare on a Tuesday or Wednesday really get you cheaper prices as lots of sites claim? I am traveling from JFK to Amsterdam, then flying home from Paris at the end of May.
I have certain dates that I can't be too flexible with which I know will limit my cheap fare options. I saw a rate for $800, kept looking around, got tired, forgot to go back and book and went to bed. The next morning, it was $1,100. it has stayed there for several days now. So the question is, should I wait to see what Tuesday/Wed airfare brings or jump on it before it keeps going up? I know there is no hard and fast rule and the airline industry does what it wants, but what are your experiences? thanks
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
It definitely can make a difference. It depends on the route and the airline. I use Delta most of the time and when you put in a date and go to Flexible Travel it will give you a variety of options near the date you requested and you can see the difference in airfare. It also works this way with using miles...you can see which days are available with low, mid or high miles. If you find a ticket to Europe for $800 you should take it and not wait.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3287 posts
Lisa is asking about the day of the week one buys the ticket, not day of the week for flying. You can see the differences in the latter on a fare chart. But not the former, you just have to check each day. Bottom line, is it cheaper to buy tickets on Tuesday than on Friday? People say it is, but how do they know? Lisa, maybe you could watch the fare each day until next Wednesday and see. If it goes back down to $800 at ant time, buy it!
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
I have generally found cheaper rates on a Wednesday.
Posted by
Kansas City
132 posts
I agree with Christi. In looking every day at prices, I have found that rates do tend to go down on Wednesdays, sometimes Tuesdays, if they are going to go down. They don't always though. And if you do see airfare to Europe for $800 again and the dates work for you, I'd jump on it.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4088 posts
Because of business traffic, the old tip about Tuesday fares (or late Sunday) may have some effect in the United States. For international flights, to my woe, I can't find any differences unless connecting flights into the interior of North America are involved. Let's face it: Enough US airlines went into bankruptcy protection in the last decade to suggest that the $800 fare I bought only four years ago to cross the Pacific was suicidal. Glad I went: Can't complain about $1500 US-Europe in high season this year.
I think the bargains turn up on the twists and turns of under-served airports where the majors have hopes of building traffic. I use Detroit, a fine airport, where Delta is so dominant than the fares barely hiccup.
Posted by
OP
Albany, NY, USA
44 posts
Thanks for all the replies.
I got lucky and on Saturday morning found a good price at $875 into AMS out of Paris at the times I wanted. Glad I was patient!