After over 19 months Canadian travellers are beginning to re-emerge from the pandemic increasingly ready to explore the world again. And with Expedia and ARC reporting that one in four Canadians seeking savings tips and 45% indicating they are willing to be flexible with their travel plans to save money, the companies have teamed up to issue their seventh annual 2022 Travel Hacks report, detailing the best time to book, when to travel, and other tips for travellers to save in 2022.
Here are some of the report’s key insights and recommendations:
AIRFARE
Based on data from Airline Reporting Corp. (ARC), average ticket prices (ATPs) in early 2021 were still higher than previous years; however, come April there was a decrease. ATPs for both international and domestic flights have since steadily increased but are still on average around 25% lower compared to 2019.
Optimal booking window
Domestic flight prices usually start to increase 35 days before departure, while prices for international flights start to increase 28 days before. The sweet spot to book a domestic flight is between 28 and 49 days in advance, while international flights should be booked three to four months in advance for the lowest prices.
Ideal day of the week to book
The ideal day to book a flight is Sunday, not Friday. For domestic flights this can save travellers around 15% and for international flights the savings are almost 10%.
Ideal day of the week to travel
The ideal day to start a domestic trip is Friday not Monday, where travellers can save around 25%. For international flights, start the trip on a Saturday, not on a Tuesday to save almost 10%.
Best month to travel
Travellers planning their 2022 trips can also unlock huge savings by being flexible and choosing the right month to travel. The ideal month to depart is January versus December. For domestic flights this can save travellers around 15% and almost 30% for international departures.
Go premium
Tickets in Premium economy have never been cheaper. In 2021, premium economy ATPs were 212% more expensive than economy tickets, whereas in 2020 they were 288% more expensive. Pre-pandemic, in 2019 average prices for a premium economy ticket were a huge 304% more expensive than economy. With a quarter of Canadians (25%) willing to upgrade their flight if they can afford it, now would be a good time to splurge and consider upgrading.
ACCOMMODATION
While domestic accommodation rates dropped in 2020, prices gradually increased over the past year, and, due to the high demand for domestic travel, are still slightly higher compared to 2019.
Ideal day of the week to book
• For domestic holidays, the lowest average daily rate (ADR) for booking accommodation tends to occur on a Tuesday, where travellers could save almost 10% versus booking on the most expensive day, which is a Friday.
• For international trips, book on a Tuesday, not on a Thursday, to save around 10%.
Ideal day of the week to stay
• The ideal day to begin a domestic stay is a Tuesday, where travellers can save almost 10% versus staying on a Friday.
• For international trips, staying on a Tuesday can save travellers around 10 %, versus staying on a Thursday.
Down-star to save
Travellers can stretch their dollars further by choosing a lower star-rated hotel. Travellers can save around 45%, on average, by simply opting for a 4-star property over a 5-star, while down-starring to a 3-star from a 4-star can save travellers around 30%.
CAR RENTAL
Expedia’s data indicates the best day to book a car rental is on a Thursday for domestic trips. For travellers exploring international getaways, the cheapest day to book a car is on a Friday. Meanwhile, starting the car rental on a Monday, tends to be the cheapest day for domestic bookings, while Saturday is the best day for international trips.
Flexibility is a necessity
As unpredictability associated with the pandemic remains, flexibility will remain a priority for travellers. For just over 30% more, travellers can secure a refundable accommodation rate in case plans need to be changed or cancel providing peace of mind.
Bundle and save
Travellers can often unlock deeper discounts by simply booking their flight and hotel together, rather than booking separately. On average, Canadians can save around 10% by bundling their flight and hotel together in one transaction.
Stay up to date
It’s important to stay up to date with the latest government and travel advisories. Expedia notes that it’s new COVID-19 Travel Advisory tool helps travellers search for travel advisories around the world, including regulations for destinations, and safety and health guidelines.