Welcome to Ask Clark, a column designed to answer your financial questions from Money expert Clark Howard.
When is the best time to buy airline tickets for international travel in fall 2021?
Mike from Idaho says: “We would like to go to Italy in the fall, provided of course they are open to tourism. When is the best time to buy plane tickets? “
Clark’s thoughts on when to buy airfare to travel to Italy this fall
Clark says: Now is the time to book tons of plane tickets to Italy and elsewhere in Europe, but be aware of the risks.
“For autumn I see a parade of really good offers to Europe, really from mid-August and beyond until autumn,” he says.
Before you book, according to Clark, do a little research on each of the airline’s policies you are considering. You’ll want to stay up to date too current travel guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Travel can recover, but with we’re still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, aviation industry politics is still a little in flux. But here’s Clark’s advice:
“You can find a lot, but it is dangerous,” says Clark. “As long as you can live with the conditions of what happens to your money, if the trip doesn’t take place in the fall, when there is a lot, buy it.”
Clark says that every traveler must be able to withstand a certain risk based on the possibility that:
- The airline is not flying the flight
- You decide it’s not the time to fly
- Your destination is closed to foreign tourists
“The airlines that fly all of these European flights are desperate to generate income. So they publish these tariffs for flights that they don’t know whether they’re going to fly or not: “advanced flights,” if you will, “says Clark.
Where to look for cheap flights
Clark is a huge fan of Google.com/Flightswho recommends cheap fares based on different departure airports. How to save money with Google Flights.
He also recommends signing up for ScottsCheapFights.com, which has a free and a “premium” version.
Also, stop by to find some of the best rates, including last minute deals ClarkDeals.com.
As for the timing of your purchase, Here is the best day and time to book a flight.
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