By traveling 150,000+ guests a year to destinations worldwide, we have found a couple of similarities: first, they’re all fantastic; secondly, they share a common belief that affordable flights are critical!

With the holidays quickly approaching, a low-cost transportation option has skyrocketed in price point! Realizing the flight prices have increased so much, we decided to sift through reports and research for ways to hack these high-cost flights so you can take to the air! The Monster team analyzed the most current data and provided two suggestions to consider after receiving your confirmation letter:

When to Book?

Planning ahead equals savings! If you can book once you receive that confirmation, do it! Statistics show that flights booked on Sundays save, on average, 5% more than those booked during the week. Now, we want you to consider domestic and international flights. Over the past four years, domestic travelers saved approximately 10 to 15 percent more on their flights when they booked at least 35 days ahead of time. However, do not book your flights too early, as trends indicate; while you are much more likely to have your preferences accommodated, you can almost always get stuck with higher prices. On the other hand, international flights are the opposite; we recommend you book them around three to six months in advance. In turn, you will optimize your savings as, on average, 10% will be left in your pocket instead of going towards a flight!

When to Travel?

We recommend paying attention to the day of the week and the time you fly. Whether you’re considering traveling domestically or internationally, you could save up to 15 percent on average when your travel departure is on Wednesday rather than at the beginning of the week. Considering all the aspects of a flight itinerary down to the time of departure is essential. Think about it, nothing is worse than packing your bags, and your adrenaline is pumping, then your flight gets canceled. Now, we know what you’re thinking, “how can I plan to avoid my flight being canceled?” Here’s the scoop; by flying in the morning or early afternoon, you can avoid pesky flight cancellations, according to recently released data! Specifically, flights departing before 3:00 PM are 50 percent more likely to avoid cancellation.

Overall, the main priority is traveling better and saving more. Here are three simple steps to help with those airfare savings: 

• Step 1: Receive your confirmation email
• Step 2: Consider flights departing in the middle of the week and the morning or early afternoon!
• Step 3: Pack your bags, and get your vacation on!

Even when it is impossible to follow those Monster suggestions, you still have the opportunity to bring in Monster savings. Sign up for flight alerts with Skyscanner to stay informed with the best flight prices, or Orbitz offers a convenient Price Guarantee tool! Not to mention, you can always consult your vacation specialist, and they’ll assist with finding the most affordable option while ensuring your enjoyment and comfort!