To book or not to book that flight?
That is the eternal heart string pulling question that we all ask ourselves. When is the best time to book a flight?
It’s time for a confession. I’m a bit of an impulse flight booker. The inter webs has enabled this strange little quirk in me. No longer do I need to actually talk to someone and make up some excuse, be polite and smile through small talk. I can happily sit here in my pj’s, with a coffee and complete the booking. Airlines now email me directly with great specials and I reward their crafty marketing departments with a booking, which I make.
By myself.
I know I’m harping on about my amazing solo booking skills. Yeah we all know how much brain power it takes to do the clicks and bring out the debit card to pay. Back on track to the original question- When is it the best time to book a flight? And what is the best method?
I’ve previously discussed the pro’s and con’s of using a travel agent. After my recent experience with no less than six travel agents, half a day of stressful phone calls and no resulting booking I’m still leaning off the fence towards a DIY approach. Here’s why;
A few months ago I got really excited seeing Young Adventuress Liz’s trip to Mongolia. Almost fan girl stalking excited. I’ve always had a soft spot for this small, pony filled country. When I saw Liz’s trip I knew this was what I wanted to do. I was also slightly swayed after reading Tim Cope’s book On The Trail of Genghis Khan. Then the universe aligned all the stars for me (cheers for that) and a Zavkhan Tour was scheduled to leave the day after my 30th. Which coincides with the Nadaam festival. WIN! Not only would I spend my birthday week of celebrations in Mongolia on horse back but I’d also get to watch grown men imitate birds and wrestle. In a culturally relevant environment. All the happiness boxes are ticked. I paid the tour deposit and happily started the planning process also know as the long list of lists of stuff.
Planes are one of the best places to catch up on reading and eating Kit-Kats.
Gear lists-travel arrangement lists-vaccination lists-fitness lists. There are a lot of lists that get written, I feel better and forget to look at them again. All the while I’m keeping a side ways glance at flights. Thinking about which route to take and getting a reasonably good priced airfare. Sometimes you can’t win at this game and it’s a risky game to play as I discovered.
Flicking back to the aforementioned SIX travel agents that failed me in one day. Yes that’s right 6 travel agents could not take my money and put us on a plane. Traveling to unique and potentially remote areas of the world takes a certain sort of person. A creative, outside the box kind of person. Which it seems travel agents in stores no longer are. I’m convinced that had I wanted to fly Melbourne to Bali they would have gladly given me a hundred options, complete with complimentary breakfast, foot rubs and a piñata just to keep me happy. However asking them to think outside your basic 101 tourist trap seemed to stump all but one.Huge shout out to the STA customer service guru who answered their generic phone number. I feel terrible that I didn’t get his name, as this one person who a delight to deal with. And also very honest and helpful. Advising me that they could possibly quote me on the flight but it was waitlisted. So utterly useless to me and he wouldn’t do that to me. This lovely voice on the end of my phone gave me a glimmer of hope that the travel industry wasn’t morally dying.
I have to admit my partial fault on this. I had done my research, knew what was a reasonable cost for flights and transfer times. I also had rather in-depth knowledge of the flights available from multiple countries and the days which certain airlines flew.
5/6 of travel agents contacted offered me one flight option. A business class airfare that was going to set us back over $2,500 AU$ for a single leg of the journey. In reality this section shouldn’t have cost us more than $800 combined. 4/5 asked if I was flexible with my dates. Yes- mildly so. The “flexibility” required us to travel a week earlier, meaning that we would then have to find the funds for another week off work, a weeks accommodation and other costs associated with adding an extra week of travel. Or we could arrive the day after our tour starts. Despite spoon feeding the information to try different routes, different times etc not one of these 5 travel professionals could assist me.
Not one of the well publicised booking websites offered any assistance. All listed my dream flight as being available until that vital booking moment arrived then Oops, Soz bae no reasonably priced flights for you. Then it was back to the dart board of trying to find someone who could help.
In the end I sat down, with a glass of wine, a pen and my notebook and mapped out potential flights. Allowing ample time for delays at each port as well as time to get out and grab a coffee. Then proceeded to book directly with each airline no hassles. Our flight path takes us via Tokyo, to Mongolia and home via Hong Kong.
So when and how do you click the buttons and book?
Now. If the flights look good, feel right and suit your needs then just do it.
Be an educated traveler. Start off by signing up to email addresses with the airlines you want to fly with. I don’t believe there is any magical, soul saving schedule of when flights come on sale anymore. All the airlines are fiercely competing to get your hard earn money. Weekly sales happen with the three major airlines in Australia.
Next do your research. Know what is an honest price for a ticket. The multi check websites don’t often provide you with the most up to date flights and availability. Take any figures you find here with a grain of salt.
If you’re a bit worried about booking directly don’t be afraid to create your own itinerary, with current prices and take these into a travel agent and get help. Most agencies these days have a price match guarantee, as well as flexible payment options. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these offers. We’ve previously used STA layby system.
How do you like to book your flights? Let us know in the comments below.
