Earlybird flight offers have started and it seems we’re ready to snag a deal (I already have, I booked last night).
More than two-thirds of Australians believe earlybird sales are still the best way to snag a bargain on travel to Britain and Europe, according to a travel.com.au survey of 11,500 people. Last-minute deals have become a permanent fixture in many areas of travel, but 68 per cent of those surveyed think the earlybird season is still the most cost-effective time to book for Britain and Europe. Only 6 per cent of people book in the month of departure, while about 20 per cent book two to three months in advance.
There is no definitive earlybird season but deals are usually released between late August and early November, for travel in the following year. Travel.com.au says it expects the “main raft” of deals for Britain and Europe to be released over the next two weeks, with more to come throughout October.
The company says the deals tend to come in waves, as airlines, tour operators and cruise lines battle it out for the consumer’s attention. Major sales periods such as the earlybird season tend to bring on a domino effect, so travellers should watch what is being released and be ready to act.
This article is an excerpt from Jane E. Fraser’s weekly travel column in The Sun Herald, Sydney.
