4 airfare shopping mistakes (that cause you to overpay) and how to avoid them

No one likes paying more than they should for something. But, without the right strategy you’ve been overpaying for plane tickets. That could mean hundreds or thousands of dollars up in smoke.

But, you can do better!

I’ve put together four mistakes to avoid when booking a flight. This list will help you sidestep common errors that even sophisticated travelers make. Put these into action today, and you’ll stop paying more than you should. Here goes…

Mistake #1: Buying too early or too late

In may sound counterintuitive, but you can buy your flights too early and miss out on deals. Most airlines open up sales for a flight 331 days in advance, about 11 months. For the next 3–4 months the fares will remain pretty steady as the airline determines demand. If it’s selling, the prices will go up. So you want to buy rather than wait.

But if it’s not selling that’s when the prices drop, and you score a deal. This sweet spot tends to be around 55–60 days out for domestic destinations. It varies between 90–120 days out for international destinations.

No matter what, the absolute worst time to book your trip is last minute. The day before is the most expensive and you’ll be…