When planning international travel, especially for immigrants, students, or families visiting loved ones abroad, the cost of airfare can be a major concern. Many people have heard tips about booking flights at odd hours or on certain days, but with new research and changing airline policies, it’s important to know what really works in 2025. This comparison will break down the latest findings, focusing on how to get cheaper flights, and will help you decide which strategies are best for your situation. We’ll look at booking days, flying days, the best months to travel, booking windows, and the tools you can use, all based on the most recent data, including the Expedia 2025 Air Hacks Report.
Understanding these options can make a real difference for immigrants and travelers who need to manage costs, whether you’re booking a last-minute ticket to the United States 🇺🇸, planning a family reunion in Canada 🇨🇦, or arranging a student trip. Let’s compare the main strategies and see which ones can help you save the most money.
Comparing the Main Strategies for Cheaper Flights in 2025
Booking Day: When Should You Buy Your Ticket?
Option 1: Book on Sunday
- What the data says: According to the Expedia 2025 Air Hacks Report, Sunday is now the cheapest day to book flights. This is based on millions of transactions analyzed with the Airlines Reporting Corporation.
- Savings:
- Domestic flights: Save about 6% compared to booking on Monday or Friday.
- International flights: Save up to 17% compared to other days.
- Why it works: Airlines often release deals and adjust prices over the weekend, and fewer business travelers book on Sundays, leaving more discounted fares available.
Option 2: Book on Other Days (Monday, Tuesday, etc.)
- What the data says: The old idea that Tuesday is the best day to book is now outdated. Savings are small or nonexistent on other weekdays.
- Savings: Minimal, with no consistent pattern.
Side-by-Side Comparison:
| Option | Domestic Savings | International Savings | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book on Sunday | 6% | 17% | High |
| Book on Other Days | 0-2% | 0-5% | Low |
Recommendation: For most travelers, especially those looking for cheaper flights for immigration or family visits, booking on Sunday is the clear winner. It’s simple, reliable, and backed by strong data.
Flying Day: Which Day Should You Depart?
Option 1: Depart on Saturday (Domestic) or Thursday (International)
- Domestic flights: Saturday is the cheapest day to fly, with average savings of 17% compared to Sunday departures.
- International flights: Thursday is the cheapest, with savings of 15% compared to Sunday.
- Other good days: Wednesdays and Saturdays are also good for international flights.
Option 2: Depart on Sunday or Other Peak Days
- What the data says: Sunday is usually the most expensive day to depart, both for domestic and international flights.
- Why it costs more: More people travel on Sundays, especially returning from weekend trips or starting business travel.
Side-by-Side Comparison:
| Option | Domestic Savings | International Savings | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday Departure | 17% | N/A | Domestic travelers |
| Thursday Departure | N/A | 15% | International travelers |
| Sunday/Peak Day Departure | 0% | 0% | Limited flexibility |
Recommendation: If you can be flexible with your travel dates, choose Saturday for domestic flights and Thursday for international flights. This can make a big difference, especially for families or students booking multiple tickets.
Cheapest Month to Travel: When Should You Go?
Option 1: Travel in August
- What the data says: August is now the cheapest month to travel, both domestically and internationally. This is a big change from the past, when summer was always the most expensive.
- Savings:
- Domestic: About 12% cheaper than February.
- International: About 7% cheaper than March.
- Why it’s cheaper: Changes in travel demand and airline capacity after the COVID-19 pandemic have shifted pricing patterns.
Option 2: Travel in Traditional Off-Peak Months (February, March, etc.)
- What the data says: These months are no longer the cheapest, especially for international travel.
- Savings: Lower than August in 2025.
Side-by-Side Comparison:
| Option | Domestic Savings | International Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 12% | 7% | Best for both |
| February/March | 0-5% | 0-3% | Not as good as August |
Recommendation: If you’re planning a big move, family visit, or student trip, consider traveling in August for the best deals. This is especially helpful for immigrants who need to coordinate with school schedules or work holidays.
Booking Window: How Far in Advance Should You Book?
Option 1: Book 1–2 Months Ahead (Domestic) or 3–5 Months Ahead (International)
- Domestic flights: The best prices are found when booking 1–2 months before your trip.
- International flights: Book 3–5 months ahead for the lowest fares.
- Why it works: Airlines set prices based on demand and booking patterns. Booking too early or too late can mean higher prices.
Option 2: Book Last Minute or Far in Advance
- Last minute: Prices often spike in the last two weeks before departure, especially around holidays.
- Far in advance: Booking more than 6 months ahead doesn’t usually save money and can sometimes cost more.
Side-by-Side Comparison:
| Option | Domestic Flights | International Flights | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2/3–5 Months Ahead | Best prices | Best prices | Low |
| Last Minute | High prices | High prices | High |
| Far in Advance | No savings | No savings | Medium |
Recommendation: For most travelers, especially those with set travel dates for immigration interviews or school start dates, booking within the recommended window is the safest way to get cheaper flights.
Time of Day: Does It Matter When You Book?
Option 1: Book at Any Time of Day
- What the data says: There is no evidence that booking at midnight or early morning gets you a better deal. Airline prices change constantly due to dynamic pricing algorithms.
- Why: Airlines no longer release fares at set times; prices can change at any hour.
Option 2: Try to Book at “Magic Hours” (Midnight, Early Morning, etc.)
- What the data says: This is an old myth and no longer works.
Side-by-Side Comparison:
| Option | Savings | Reliability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Time of Day | Same | High | Prices change often |
| Magic Hours | None | Low | Outdated strategy |
Recommendation: Don’t worry about setting your alarm for an “ungodly hour.” Focus on the day of the week and booking window instead.
Tools and Platforms: Which Should You Use?
Option 1: Use Fare Alerts and Comparison Tools
- Google Flights: Lets you set price alerts and see the cheapest dates to fly.
- Expedia: The new Flight Deals tool curates fares at least 20% below typical prices and allows custom alerts.
- Hopper: Analyzes billions of prices and predicts when fares will drop.
- How to use: Set alerts for your desired route, compare prices across platforms, and book when you see a good deal.
Option 2: Book Directly with Airlines
- Why: Once you find a good deal, booking directly with the airline can help you avoid problems with third-party sites, like changes or cancellations.
Side-by-Side Comparison:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Fare Alerts/Comparison | Find best deals, easy to use | May need multiple accounts |
| Book Direct with Airline | Fewer problems, better customer service | May miss some deals |
Recommendation: Use fare alerts and comparison tools to find the best price, then book directly with the airline for peace of mind.
Special Considerations for Immigrants, Students, and Families
- Holiday Travel: For Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, start watching fares 4–6 weeks before the holiday. Prices can spike in the last two weeks, so don’t wait too long.
- School Holidays: Deals for spring break and summer holidays often appear between November and February for the following year.
- Visa Appointments: If you need to travel for a visa interview or immigration appointment, try to book as soon as your date is confirmed, within the recommended booking window.
Pros and Cons for Different Situations
For Immigrants and Family Reunification:
– Pros: Booking on Sunday, flying on Saturday or Thursday, and using fare alerts can save hundreds of dollars, especially for large families.
– Cons: Flexibility is key; if you have fixed dates, you may not always get the lowest fare.
For Students:
– Pros: August is now the cheapest month, which matches many school start dates. Booking 3–5 months ahead gives you the best chance at a deal.
– Cons: If your school schedule is fixed, you may have less flexibility with flying days.
For Business Travelers:
– Pros: Using fare alerts and booking on Sunday can still help, but business trips often require fixed dates, limiting options.
– Cons: Less flexibility means higher costs, especially if booking last minute.
For Last-Minute Travelers:
– Pros: Sometimes, rare last-minute deals appear, especially for New Year’s.
– Cons: Usually, prices are much higher, and choices are limited.
Decision-Making Framework: How to Choose the Best Strategy
- Check Your Flexibility: Can you adjust your travel dates? If yes, aim for Saturday (domestic) or Thursday (international) departures.
- Set Fare Alerts Early: Use Google Flights, Expedia, or Hopper to track prices as soon as you know your route.
- Book on Sunday: Plan to make your purchase on a Sunday for the best chance at cheaper flights.
- Book Within the Right Window: 1–2 months ahead for domestic, 3–5 months for international.
- Compare Across Platforms: Don’t rely on just one site. Check Google Flights, Expedia, and others.
- Book Directly with the Airline: Once you find a deal, go to the airline’s website to book.
- Monitor for Special Deals: For holidays or school breaks, start watching fares 4–6 weeks before your planned trip.
Official Resources for Further Guidance
- Expedia Flight Deals Tool: Available in the Expedia app under “Discover” or “Search.”
- Google Flights: flights.google.com – set up price alerts and explore cheapest dates.
- Hopper: hopper.com – app for fare predictions and alerts.
- Airlines Reporting Corporation: arccorp.com – industry data and reports.
- For official travel and visa information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s travel page, which provides up-to-date guidance for international travelers and immigrants.
Final Takeaways and Practical Guidance
The secret to cheaper flights in 2025 is not about waking up at midnight or booking at a special hour. Instead, focus on booking on Sundays, flying on Saturdays (domestic) or Thursdays/Wednesdays (international), and using fare alerts and flexible date searches. August is now the cheapest month to travel, and prices can change at any time due to dynamic airline pricing.
For immigrants, students, and families, these strategies can make travel more affordable and less stressful. Start planning early, use the right tools, and stay flexible when possible. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, following these simple steps can help you save money and avoid the frustration of chasing outdated travel myths.
Remember, the best approach is to combine these strategies: set alerts, compare prices, book on Sunday, and choose the cheapest days to fly. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to find cheaper flights and make your travel plans with confidence.
Learn Today
Expedia 2025 Air Hacks Report → A comprehensive study analyzing millions of airline transactions to find cheapest booking and travel days for 2025.
Fare Alerts → Notifications sent by travel apps or websites that inform users when flight prices drop for chosen routes.
Dynamic Pricing → An airline pricing method where ticket costs change frequently based on demand and booking patterns.
Booking Window → The optimal time period before travel when purchasing a ticket results in the lowest prices.
Airlines Reporting Corporation → An organization that collects and analyzes airline sales data to assist travel industry decisions.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025, travelers should book flights on Sundays and fly Saturdays or Thursdays for best deals. August now offers largest savings. Using tools like Google Flights and Expedia alerts helps immigrants and families save money and avoid costly last-minute tickets by planning around these proven strategies.
— By VisaVerge.com
