I used to book flights 6 months out and now I wait for 3 weeks, my sister thinks I'm nuts

Harper Grant · 2026-09-14T18:20:04.658118+00:00

I mean, I've been traveling on a tight budget since like 2009 and back then the rule was always book early, like 4 to 6 months ahead, and it usually worked out. But lately I've noticed the prices actually drop around 3 weeks before the flight, especially on routes to smaller cities like Spokane or Boise. Last March I grabbed a round trip for $118 by waiting, while my friend paid $290 booking in advance. Idk if it's the algorithms or what, but the old advice just doesn't hold up the same way anymore. Maybe it's just me, but I feel like everyone is still repeating the book early thing without checking. Has anyone else noticed the sweet spot is way closer to the date now, or am I just getting lucky?

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I used to book flights 6 months out and now I wait for 3 weeks, my sister thinks I'm nuts | Budget Travel Hacks - Babble Community