Search engines are different than OTAs in that search engines find you all the fares out there but they do not sell you the flight. These are sites that hunt down the best prices offered by airlines and online travel agents (OTAs). We suggest you start your search by using flight search engines. If you are a whimsical traveler, you can find great last-minute flights by signing up for alerts from various websites like Airfarewatchdog or The Flight Deal. The prime time-frame to purchase your ticket is no earlier than 4 months prior to your departure and no later than 3 weeks.īuying your ticket within two weeks of your departure date will almost never get you a reasonably priced ticket. Keep in mind, booking your flight too far in advance or too close to your departure date may limit your ability to find lower-priced flights. Purchase Your Ticket During the Prime Time Frame The least expensive flights tend to depart in the early morning or late evening.Ĥ. Many airlines launch sales on Tuesdays so have your credit card handy.Īgain, flexibility is the key to getting the lowest priced flight. Once you have an overview of the prices, search for flights on those dates. Some search engines such as Skyscanner, which lets you compare flight prices by month. If you can, avoid flying on Fridays or Sundays. The golden rule of finding a cheap ticket to New York is to fly on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday. Take your trip just after Thanksgiving and just before Christmas and you’ll have something to be thankful for!īe sure to read our guide to the cheapest times to visit NYC for more ideas.ģ.