If you’re planning on taking a vacation this summer but haven’t booked your airfare yet, it’s time to stop waiting.
That’s because plane ticket prices for the peak season of summer travel are That’s only likely to go up from here, according to Scott Keyes, founder and CEO of Scott’s cheap flightsA Portland, Ore.-based newsletter that sends out daily airfare deals to over 2 million customers.
“You want to make sure that you don’t put it off until the last minute in the hope that the fare will get cheaper because in all likelihood, the opposite is going to happen,” he tells CNBC Make It.
Last minute flights are not equally expensive. A flight booked a month before travel is almost certainly going to be cheaper than a flight booked a week in advance.
scott keys
Founder, Scott’s Cheap Flights
While there’s a general belief that stopping by as close to the travel date can help you get a last-minute deal, Keys said is a strategy. more than likely blowing in your face And leave you with a more expensive ticket if you booked earlier.
“It’s important to note that last-minute flights are not equally expensive,” Keyes says. “A flight booked a month before travel is almost certainly going to be cheaper than a flight booked a week before travel, and a flight booked a week before travel is almost certainly going to be cheaper than a flight booked a day before travel Definitely going to be affordable.”
At this point in the year, Keys advises potential travelers who fly between late June and early August to book the best price they can find now. Otherwise, he says, the good deals won’t show up again until after Labor Day.
When it comes to finding a good deal, Keys says there’s no need to compare prices between platforms like Expedia, Orbitz, Google Flights, and Skyscanner, because they’re “basically going to show you the same flights.” Huh.”
Instead, Keys says the most important thing to do is to book directly through the airline. When you do this, you will be protected by US Department of Transportation regulations For which the airline will have to give you a full refund within 24 hours of booking.
“This 24-hour rule can give you time to decide if you really want to take this trip and it can also give you a grace period of sorts to be able to take advantage of future price drops.” whether on your airline or a competitor’s airline,” he says.
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