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Searching for cheap flights sometimes feels like trying to win a jackpot—you hit refresh, prices jump, and you wonder if you should’ve booked yesterday (or if waiting until Tuesday will magically make it cheaper). For years, travelers have shared secret “insider” tips for scoring the lowest fares: book on a Tuesday, clear your cookies, use incognito mode, and buy tickets months in advance.

But do any of these tricks actually work? According to travel experts, not really.

The Tuesday Trick: Just a Travel Tall Tale

For ages, the idea that flights are cheapest on Tuesdays has been one of the most popular travel hacks around. Unfortunately, it’s more myth than money-saver. Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, explains that airfare prices shift constantly—sometimes even by the hour—based on demand, route, and timing.

Expedia’s data backs this up, showing that Sunday—not Tuesday—is often the best day to book flights. In fact, travelers who book on Sundays save an average of 6% on domestic flights and 17% on international ones, according to Expedia’s 2025 Air Hacks Report. So, while Tuesday might be great for tacos, it’s not so special for airfare.

Incognito Mode Doesn’t Fool Airlines

You’ve probably heard that searching for flights in private browsing mode can stop airlines from tracking your searches and hiking up prices. It sounds clever, but experts say it’s unnecessary.

Berg explains that airfare prices fluctuate for reasons far more complex than cookies or browser history. What’s really happening when you see higher prices after multiple searches is likely due to demand rising—or simply waiting too long to buy.

A smarter move? Use price-tracking tools from platforms like Expedia or Hopper. These alerts will let you know when a fare drops, so you can book with confidence instead of guessing.

Flying Midweek Can Actually Save You Money

Here’s one myth that has a bit of truth to it: the day you fly really does matter. Midweek departures—especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays—tend to be cheaper because fewer people are traveling.

Hopper found that flying midweek can save travelers up to 20% on airfare. On the other hand, Sundays are typically the priciest day to fly, thanks to weekend demand and the Monday work rush.

If you’re going international, those midweek savings add up—around $166 off to Europe or $126 off to Asia, on average. Even for domestic trips, swapping a Sunday flight for Saturday could save around 17%, according to Expedia.

Early Birds Don’t Always Get the Best Deals

Many travelers believe that the earlier you book, the better your deal. While it’s true that waiting too long can cost you, booking too early isn’t necessarily wise either.

“Prices for most trips start high to capture early demand from travelers who absolutely must fly,” says Berg. The sweet spot, according to her, is to start monitoring prices about six months ahead and aim to book between three and five months before your trip.

And if you’re the adventurous type, last-minute deals can sometimes surprise you. Expedia found that international flights booked 18 to 29 days in advance saved travelers an average of 17%—though you’ll need to be flexible about flight times and layovers.

The Bottom Line

The idea that travel booking follows some secret code is comforting, but in reality, airfare is influenced by complex algorithms, demand patterns, and ever-changing data. Instead of relying on outdated myths, use technology to your advantage: set fare alerts, compare options across platforms, and stay flexible with your travel dates.

So next time you’re searching for a flight, skip the Tuesday superstition and focus on what really matters—good timing, smart planning, and a bit of travel luck.

Because when it comes to saving on airfare, knowledge beats myth every time.