As travellers get used to the new way of life with COVID-19, being flexible with travel has become more common when booking flights and accommodation.
That flexibility may help Kiwis save money when travelling when borders reopen.
New data released by Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) has worked out some of the key tricks to get the best booking for your buck.
Based on data from ARC, the average ticket price for domestic airfares peaked above pre-pandemic levels in November 2020 and remained steady throughout the year. However, ticket prices have recently dropped just below 2019 levels between July and August.
Meanwhile, with international travel being off the cards since March 2020, average ticket prices for international flights remain on average 20 percent more expensive than pre-pandemic levels.
Hacks for flight booking
Optimal booking window
For domestic flights, prices usually start to increase between 35 and 42 days before departure. The sweet spot to book a domestic flight is around three months in advance.
Ideal day of the week to book
The ideal day to book a domestic flight is Sunday, not a Tuesday, where travellers can save just over 15 percent.
For international flights, book on a Tuesday to save around 10 percent on average versus booking on a Saturday.
Ideal day of the week to travel
The ideal day to start a domestic trip is a Saturday, where travellers can save around 20 percent, versus travelling on a Sunday.
For international flights, start the trip on a Wednesday, not on a Thursday, to save just over 15 percent
Hacks for accommodation booking
Overall, average accommodation prices have gradually increased over the past year compared to previous years. As travel continues to gain momentum, here are some simple tips to unlock savings on accommodation, based on Expedia data:
Ideal day of the week to book
For domestic holidays, the lowest average daily rate for accommodation tends to occur on a Tuesday, where travellers could save almost 5 percent versus booking on the most expensive day, which is a Saturday.
For international trips, book on a Wednesday, not on a Saturday, to save just over 5 percent also.
Ideal day of the week to stay
The ideal day to begin a domestic stay is a Tuesday, where travellers can save around 10 percent versus staying on a Saturday.
For international trips, staying on a Monday can also save travellers just over 10 percent, versus staying on a Friday.
Down-star accommodation to save
Travellers can save almost 40 percent on average by simply opting for a four-star property over a five-star, while down-starring to a 3-star from a 4-star can save travellers around 20 percent.
The cost of flexibility
As unpredictability associated with the pandemic remains, flexibility will remain a priority for travellers. The average cost of adding a refund option to an accommodation booking is around 15 percent extra.
