Tourists urged to 'never' pick three dates to book flights on - 'airlines know this'

If you are planning a holiday, then you’re likely aware there are a lot of things that can drain your wallet - hotels, travel insurance, flights and food can all add up. However, when it comes to booking flights there are some dates which are known to be more expensive than others - and three that according to the experts, you should “never” fly on.

According to Expedia, booking a flight on July 22, 23, or 29 will incur the most expensive travel costs. Jamie Fraser, travel expert at Wild Packs American Summer Camp, has revealed why you should avoid these three dates and how you can save on summer travel. He said: “July marks the start of the school summer holidays, which is when demand for flights takes off.

"Parents with school-aged children are mostly limited to this short window, which makes it one of the busiest times to travel. Airlines know this and tend to bump up prices during these peak dates.”

However it’s not all bad news. Jamie has shared his top tips for saving some precious pounds on your next holiday.

His first recommendation is to set up flight alerts.

He said: “Booking months in advance can sometimes save you money, but it’s not always that straightforward. For example, prices don’t always start low when flights are first released. Instead of guessing, it’s best to set up a price alert using a site like Skyscanner or Google Flights. You’ll get a notification when the fare drops, so you can grab a bargain when the timing’s right.”

Secondly, you can fly out from a smaller airport. Places like Heathrow and Gatwick are often higher priced than regional airports. Jamie said: “If you’re flexible, check flights from smaller or regional airports too, as the savings can be well worth it.”

The third way you can save money is by flying out on a Saturday rather than a Friday. If you can be flexible with your schedule, you might see a financial benefit.

Jamie said: “Flight prices vary depending on the day of the week. Friday and Sunday are usually the most expensive, while Tuesday tends to be the cheapest. If you’re planning a weekend away, flying out on Saturday and returning Monday means you will only miss one day off work, but you’re likely to pay much less compared to a Friday-to-Sunday trip.”