You can scour websites and set up fare alerts, but the realsecret in getting the best price for an airline ticket boils downto this: when you look and when you book.

Trouble is, not all peak travel times are created equal. Thesweet spot when tickets are cheapest can vary by weeks, accordingto travel data analyzed by Expedia for the associated Press.

Take the next two big travel weekends, for example. Based on ananalysis of ticket prices over the last four years, Expedia hasfound that the best time to book for the Fourth of July was betweenone and two months in advance.

Jump ahead to Labor Day, in September, and the rules changedramatically. those looking to travel that weekend, based on trendssince 2007, can get the best deal buying three or four weeks inadvance. Prices jump 10 percent from their lowest points if youwait one to two weeks out. They’re 30 percent higher, on average,if you book less than a week before summer’s last hoorah.

But how can two holiday weekends so close together have suchdifferent rules for snagging cheap fares?

Look at the calendar, said Expedia analyst Daniel Kissin. Fourthof July, although it’s more of a popular driving holiday, stillgets loads of people in the skies every year. Labor Day isn’t aspopular because it usually coincides with back to school.

Following the old fashioned rule of supply and demand, it makessense to book early for the most popular travel holidays:Thanksgiving, Christmas, Memorial Day. At other times of the year,it’s better to gamble and hold out for that cheaper fare closer toyour travel date.

The rules of low fares are evolving quickly as airlines recoverfrom the recession. last year, procrastination was the name of thegame. because travel demand was sluggish, airlines discounted seatsor launched fare sales close to flight time. But this year, traveldemand is inching up and airlines have slimmed their fleets — theperfect equation for higher fares.

Certain destinations also have different rules. Procrastinatorswith island dreams, listen up: That flight to Hawaii will becheaper the more you wait. the reason? Hawaii is a more expensivedestination, so travelers tend to book earlier, Kissin said. Ifflights aren’t full within a couple weeks of departure, discountsare bound to pop up.

The same could be said about flights to Europe, Asia or otheroverseas hot spots. A cheaper fare might be a few days away.

When you’re ready to book that flight, don’t forget to book thehotel, too. Expedia spokesman Adam Anderson said booking separatelywas one of the biggest money-losing mistakes people make. Reservingeverything together online could save you hundreds of dollars,depending on the total price of your trip.

When booking airfares, rules are changing

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