Save up to 43% when you book flights in advance: Study

Whether it is a weekend getaway or a long-haul trip across the world, every traveller wants to score the best flight deals.

According to a study by travel search engine Kayak.sg, the time you buy your flight tickets can garner savings as high as over 40 per cent, compared to an average fare.

To score the most savings, Singapore travellers heading to South American should book their flights around three months in advance.

They can save around 43 per cent, compared to an average fare, according to Kayak.sg.

If flying to Central America or South Africa, it is best to book two-and-a-half months before departure and save 28 per cent.

As these destinations are far from Singapore, savings of 20 per cent and more can make a significant difference especially when the flight fare typically costs over $1,000.

Singapore travellers heading to an Asian destinations should buy their fares one-and-a-half months in advance and save nine per cent.

If you have heard from people that they got cheap flights when they booked near the day or even on the day of departure itself, Kayak.sg has data to set the record straight. Its study revealed that airfares to Asia are generally quite stable even if you booked one month, two weeks or even one week ahead of departure.

However, if you are flying to Africa or the Caribbean, the fares skyrocket if you book one or two weeks in advance.

Travellers to South America should avoid buying their flights at the last minute as the tickets will be a whopping 164 per cent more than booking during its best time frame of three months in advance.

If heading to the Middle East, it is best to book two months before departure than booking last minute, or you can end up paying 79 per cent more than the average fare.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg