Best Day to Book Flights

Calendar showing days to book flights.

Which day of the week are you most likely to find the best airfare prices?  As it turns out, Wednesday may be the best time to get the cheapest fare.

If an airline is going to raise the fees on a route, it tends to do so on a Friday night, and it may be soon followed by the other carriers.  If it is not matched, then this fare may drop back by Sunday or Monday, but it will be too late if you have already purchased at the higher fare.

On the other hand, if an airline decides on a Friday to lower its fare on a route, others may again follow suit.  However, if certain factors are in place such that multiple airlines join in the price war, the full effect may be realized as late as Tuesday into Wednesday.  Early Wednesday seems to offer the best likelihood of getting the cheapest fares.  If you wait until later in the week, the price war ends as the cycle begins anew.