Travelers seeking last-minute deals for the upcoming August bank holiday weekend are advised to book on Sunday mornings, according to Chris Bradshaw, a travel bookings expert with over 30 years of experience.
Bradshaw, a director at AttractionTickets.com, suggests that Sunday, August 16, and Sunday, August 23, around 6 a.m., present optimal opportunities for securing budget-friendly spontaneous getaways. He highlighted that booking on a Sunday can result in savings of up to 23 percent compared to booking on a Friday, a day when fares tend to spike due to increased demand.
"By the time August rolls around, you might think there's no point in booking a holiday because everything is too expensive," Bradshaw stated. "There's a misconception that all prices are astronomical this month, but this isn't always the case if you know where and how to book."
He explained that airline fares and availability are continuously updated based on public demand, meaning opportunities for good deals still exist, even for late bookings. Bradshaw attributes Sundays as consistently strong days for value, likely due to airlines refreshing their inventory over the weekend.
Timing is also a crucial factor. While not guaranteed, many flight providers release new fares in the early morning hours. "If I wanted a good deal, I'd be online at around 6 a.m. to find the best ones before booking activity increases," Bradshaw advised, suggesting this timing offers the best chance of finding a good offer.
For those planning long-haul destinations, a specific last-minute travel window exists. Bradshaw noted that booking between eight and 23 days before departure is often when the most competitive fares can be found.
"With all of these insights in mind, my prediction would be that both Sunday 16 and 23 August sit in the perfect timeframe for a deal in the run-up to the August bank holiday," he said. "Whilst I have to stress that nothing is ever guaranteed, they are the dates I'd be utilising myself if I wanted to seize the opportunity for a cheaper last-minute bank holiday break."
