Required lead time for securing the most affordable airfare to New York.
Heading to the Big Apple on a budget? You're in luck! We've got the inside scoop on scoring the best flight deals to New York.
The good news? Flight prices have been dropping like a stone, seeing a 5.3% decrease this March compared to last. But, who doesn't love saving money, especially when the rent in NYCE is 149% higher than the national average?
Through a whopping analysis of 7,050 Google Flights routes, NetCredit dug deep to find the magic number of days you should book your ticket to score the cheapest fare.
After dissecting the price history of one-way economy tickets from the 50 busiest US airports to all recognized international airports, and repeating for the 50 flight routes to each airport, NetCredit unearthed the average number of days in advance passengers should book their trip, ranked by destination state.
If you're planning a trip to New York, here's the kicker: the data shows it's best to book a flight 34 days in advance to find the cheapest price. That's right, set your calendar for around a month before your departure, and you'll likely snag the lowest airfare. Intriguingly, 34 of the 50 states are cheapest to fly when booked between 30 and 40 days in advance.
Procrastinators, this one's for you. If you're the type to leave things until the last minute, pack your bags for Rhode Island, as the data suggests booking 21 days in advance, the shortest time from the flight departure among the 50 states. On the flip side, those headed to Alaska will need to book 49 days in advance, the longest of all U.S. states.
Fancy finding out when to book your flight by state? NetCredit's handy search tool's got your back.
Besides booking at the optimal number of days in advance, the study offers some more savvy tips for scoring the best deals on domestric travel. Give these a whirl: use flight comparison tools, be flexible with travel dates, and check if the airline offers the price difference guarantee if a cheaper flight is found.
And since we're on the topic, let's chat about traveling abroad. Here are 10 travel tips every American should know before jetting off:
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs.
- Make copies of important documents.
- Research and purchase travel insurance.
- Learn basic phrases in the local language.
- Carry a small amount of local currency.
- Stay connected with a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Download offline maps and guides.
- Sign up for travel alerts and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Be aware of scams and pickpockets.
- Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded places.
Happy travels!
[1] Based on NetCredit's analysis of Google Flights data, the recommended number of days in advance to book a flight to New York for the cheapest price is 34 days.[2] For flights specifically into New York City's JFK airport, the optimal booking window is about 35 days in advance, which aligns closely with the general state recommendation. (Source: NetCredit's study)
- If you're heading to New York, it's best to book your flight 34 days in advance to secure the cheapest price, according to a study by NetCredit.
- In addition to booking at the optimal time, travelers can save money by using flight comparison tools, being flexible with travel dates, and checking if the airline offers the price difference guarantee if a cheaper flight is found.
