Travel Smarter with the Best Time to Book Flights and Hotels

When it comes to scoring great deals on flights, hotels, and vacation packages, timing is everything. Knowing the best days to grab airline seats or book hotel stays can make a big difference in what you pay. As you plan your 2026 getaways, here are some expert-backed strategies to help you spend less and travel more.

Book flights early to score the best prices

Airline pricing follows a somewhat predictable pattern influenced by demand and competition. Booking early—but not too early—provides more schedule options and more affordable pricing.

“Even if you’re looking at a trip six months ahead, that’s not necessarily too early to lock in a great price,” says AAA Travel Advisor Barbara McCarthy. “For domestic flights, I recommend booking at least 60 days in advance. International? Shoot for 90.”

If your plans are flexible, you can use sites such as Google Flights to monitor price trends and pinpoint the best time to book a flight. Or connect with a AAA Travel Advisor for insight into airline sales and limited-time offers that aren’t always advertised online.

Stay flexible with travel plans to save on airfare

Not all travel dates and times are created equal. While it might seem logical to assume that weekday, early morning, and late-night flights are always low-demand and low-cost options, that’s not necessarily true. Airfare can vary widely based on the date you fly, your destination, the airport, and several other factors. Being flexible by shifting that date slightly or choosing an alternative airport, for example, can help you land cheaper airfare.

Make hotel reservations around seasonal demand patterns

Hotels follow different pricing rhythms than airlines, but a few dependable rules of thumb still apply. For most major chains, industry data shows that the best time to book a hotel is one to three months in advance, which usually strikes the right balance between price and availability.

If you’re traveling during peak periods—such as spring break, major holidays, or large events— the best time to book a hotel is often much earlier than you’d expect, helping you avoid sharp rate increases. Conversely, if your plans are flexible, last-minute deals (within a week or two of travel) can deliver deep discounts, especially at properties looking to fill unsold rooms.

Timing your travel around demand cycles can unlock substantial savings. Across many destinations, travel costs dip during the shoulder seasons, the quieter periods between peak and off-peak travel. For many places in the US, that’s April through May and September through October.

“The shoulder seasons are often the best time to travel because you’re outside the busiest peak season,” explains AAA Travel Advisor Ann Ketron. “In Europe, for instance, fall still has beautiful weather, but it’s less crowded and less expensive.”

A simple guideline: the earlier you start tracking hotel prices, the more leverage you’ll have when rates start to shift.

Choose flexible hotel rates to protect your budget

Hotel prices can fluctuate right up to your arrival date, so it’s wise to book refundable or flexible rates when possible. This lets you rebook if a lower rate is offered closer to your stay—an easy way to save without sacrificing your preferred property or room type.

AAA members can stretch their travel dollars even further with member-exclusive hotel discounts and added confidence through the AAA Diamond Program, which ensures properties meet strict quality and cleanliness standards.

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You don’t need a crystal ball to score travel deals. It’s about recognizing patterns and planning accordingly. Remember to:

• start tracking prices early;
• remain flexible with travel dates;
• consider travel during shoulder season; and
• book refundable hotel rates.

After all, knowing the best time to book a flight and hotel allows you to not only save more but see more of this wonderful world.