Fareward

Guide · checked 2026-10-11

Best Time to Book International Flights

Quick answer

For international trips departing the US, Google's 2026 analysis of five years of Google Flights data found average fares were lowest about 89 days before departure, with a low-price range of 50 to 133 days out. Google also found that the price drop inside that range is small, and its advice is simple: for trips abroad, book as soon as you can.

In practice: if you know your dates and the fare looks reasonable three to four months out, there's little evidence that waiting will help.

International vs. domestic booking windows

Trip Lowest average price Typical low range Google's takeaway
US domestic ~39 days out 22–57 days Book inside the window
International ~89 days out 50–133 days Book as soon as you can

International fares have a much wider, flatter low window than domestic ones. That means you're not trying to hit a narrow sweet spot; you're mostly trying not to book too late.

Why waiting rarely pays on international trips

  • The window is wide and the dip is shallow. Per Google, the drop inside the 50–133 day range is small.
  • Late international fares tend to rise. As departure gets close, cheaper fare buckets on long-haul flights sell out, especially for peak travel seasons.
  • Award and partner seats disappear too. If you're using miles, saver-level space can vanish well before cash fares move.

What moves international fares more than timing

  1. Which day you fly. Google found that departing Monday and returning Tuesday or Wednesday saves about 14% versus weekend travel. Expedia's 2026 report found Friday was the cheapest day to fly across US departures, about 8% less than Sunday. See cheapest day to fly.
  2. Connecting vs. nonstop. Google found nonstops cost about 20% more on average. On long-haul routes, a one-stop itinerary through a hub can be much cheaper.
  3. Season. Expedia's 2026 report found August was the cheapest month to fly across all US departures and December the most expensive.
  4. Departure airport. A larger gateway airport can price far below your home airport on international routes. Use Google Flights' nearby airports view.
  5. Booking day: barely matters. Google found the cheapest booking day saves about 1.4%. See cheapest day to book a flight.

A practical plan for booking international flights

  1. Five to six months out: set a price alert on your route and dates.
  2. Three to four months out (inside the 50–133 day range): book when the price is typical or low for your dates.
  3. Book a fare you can change. Basic economy on long-haul flights usually can't be changed or repriced. A standard economy fare booked directly with the airline gives you the option to reprice later.
  4. Keep watching after booking. If the fare on your exact flights drops, many US airlines let you change to the same flights at the lower price and keep the difference as credit.

What if the price drops after you book?

Even with "book early" advice, international fares do drop sometimes, through sales or soft demand. Whether you can capture that depends on the airline and the fare:

Change-fee policies on international tickets can differ from domestic ones, especially for tickets starting outside the US. Check your fare rules before changing.

Already booked? Let Fareward keep watching

Forward your airline confirmation to [email protected]. Fareward watches the fare on your exact flights and fare type. If it drops and your fare rules allow it, Fareward files with the airline as your agent, without needing your airline password, and the savings land as airline credit in your name. It covers United, Delta, American, Alaska, Southwest and Hawaiian.

Watching is free. Fareward takes 20% of the savings, only after a credit lands. If the fare never drops, or your fare can't be repriced, you pay nothing. Because the savings usually come back as airline credit rather than cash, it works best for people who'll fly that airline again.

FAQ

How far in advance should I book an international flight? Google's 2026 data found international fares were lowest on average about 89 days out, within a 50 to 133 day range. Google advises booking as soon as you can.

Is it cheaper to book international flights last minute? Generally no. Google's data shows the low window is several months out, and late long-haul fares tend to rise as cheaper seats sell out.

What is the cheapest day to fly internationally? Expedia's 2026 report found Friday was the cheapest day to fly across US departures, about 8% less than Sunday.

Does the day I book an international flight matter? Very little. Google found the cheapest booking day saves about 1.4% versus the most expensive.

Can I get money back if my international fare drops after booking? On many standard fares booked directly with US airlines, you can change to the same flights at the lower price and keep the difference as credit. Basic economy usually can't be changed.

Related guides

Sources (checked October 11, 2026)