Expedia says book earlier for summer

Expedia’s latest airfare guidance says summer travelers should book earlier than they might expect and stay flexible on dates, airports and destinations. (expedia.com) The company’s 2026 Air Hacks report, updated in February, says Friday is now the cheapest day to book and also the cheapest day to fly internationally, about 8% cheaper than Sunday. For U.S. domestic trips, Expedia says Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly, with savings of up to 14% versus Sunday. (expedia.com) Expedia also says August is the cheapest month for international travel in 2026, with fares about 29% lower than December, or roughly $120 less per ticket on average. Its data says international travelers save about $190 on average by booking 31 to 45 days before departure instead of six months out. (expedia.com) That advice lands as airfare pressure is building from outside the booking calendar. The Points Guy reported in March that higher oil prices tied to disruption through the Strait of Hormuz were expected to push airline fuel costs and ticket prices higher. (thepointsguy.com) Rob Handfield, a supply-chain professor at North Carolina State University, told The Points Guy travelers booking trips three or four months out should “lock it in and buy now.” AeroDynamic Advisory partner Mike Stengel said airlines would try to pass higher fuel costs on to consumers quickly. (thepointsguy.com) Expedia’s own route data shows there are still pockets of cheap inventory, especially on short domestic hops. In March, the company highlighted round-trip fares averaging $107 from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale, $125 from Las Vegas to San Diego and $140 from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. (expedia.com) For international travelers, Expedia flagged average round-trip fares of $229 from Houston to Comayagua, Honduras, $242 from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau and $260 from Orlando to Toronto. The company said those prices were based on bookings made from December 2024 through November 2025. (expedia.com) The practical takeaway is narrower than the old “book as early as possible” rule. Expedia says the best value is often a defined booking window, while fuel volatility means travelers waiting for a last-minute summer drop may find fewer bargains than in quieter markets. (expedia.com) (thepointsguy.com)