The year 2026 is going to witness such a sharp decline in airfares that it will feel as if one is booking the flights in the earlier periods of the century. However, to be the lucky one to grab the best deals, one must learn the art of timing. The impact of the decision on whether to use cash or frequent flyer miles at a particular point in time can be astronomical, whether it is a domestic or international flight. Truth be told, the experts are already declaring 2026 as the year of the Cheap Flights Golden Age, meaning that the fares will be cheaper than in the previous decades. Nevertheless, it is vital to know precisely when to press the button on booking flights, whether you are using cash or points.
When booking flights using cash, the best time to book varies depending on the destination and time of year. For domestic flights, the sweet spot is typically one to three months in advance. This time frame generally offers the lowest prices, especially when avoiding peak seasons. If your destination is international, two to eight months ahead is recommended. Booking closer to the departure date, however, can increase prices significantly, particularly during high-demand periods like summer holidays or festive seasons.
For travellers looking to fly during peak periods (e.g., June to August, or December holidays), it’s wise to plan ahead. Booking earlier, up to nine months in advance, can ensure not only the best price but also availability on flights that are likely to sell out closer to the travel date.
However, between this early booking window and closer to the flight’s departure, award space tends to dwindle, even when cash fares may be at their lowest. This is a result of the dynamics of airline demand, with fewer awards offered when airlines have already sold a large number of tickets at cash prices.
A second opportunity arises when airlines approach the departure date and begin to release more unsold seats as awards. This is often in the final few weeks before departure, especially for long-haul flights. So, if you have the flexibility and can plan for uncertainty, waiting until the final weeks before your flight can often unlock additional award space.
Booking within these time frames can help maximise the value of your frequent flyer points, ensuring you don’t waste miles on inflated redemption rates.
The biggest challenge for frequent flyers in 2026 will be the risk of waiting too long to use points. Many loyalty programmes have recently adjusted the way they value points, often decreasing their worth over time. As these programmes make changes to their rules, waiting for the perfect redemption may become increasingly risky. In 2026, experts recommend using your points sooner rather than later to avoid the effects of further devaluations.
If you’re hoping to maximise the value of your points, Asia remains a strong contender, especially for long-haul flights. Popular destinations like Japan and Thailand continue to offer some of the best mileage redemption values. Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand offer strong value in economy class flights, making them ideal for point redemptions.
Experts believe that 2026 will be a pivotal year for frequent flyer points, urging travellers to redeem them sooner rather than holding out for a better deal. The rules governing frequent flyer programmes are subject to change, and loyalty points can lose value more quickly than anticipated. Therefore, it’s more strategic to use points this year to avoid watching their value erode.
Moreover, airfares are still dramatically cheaper than they were 10 to 20 years ago, and with the rising interest in budget airlines and cheaper international flights, there’s little reason to hesitate. As flight costs continue to remain low when adjusted for inflation, 2026 promises to be another year where smart flight booking can save travellers money, whether they are using cash or points.
For the year 2026, travellers who are going to book flights should do so strategically and with flexibility. If paying with cash, try to book one to three months in advance for domestic flights and two to eight months in advance for international flights, while taking into account the peak seasons. If booking with points or miles, the best timing is 10 to 11 months ahead or waiting for last-minute redemptions as the departure dates get closer. However, the risk of devaluation is very high, so it is better to use points sooner rather than later. In the same way that airfares are likely to remain reasonable and airline loyalty programs will change, the travellers in 2026 will be able to enjoy both affordable flights and great mileage value at the same time.
