'The simple flight booking hack that saved me hundreds.'

Unlike that TikTok trend that insisted we book flights at 2am while holding a crystal and standing on one foot to manifest cheaper prices, this travel hack actually saves us money.

Trust me, I tried it.

We've all been there. Sitting at our computers, 15 tabs open, trying to figure out the perfect moment to book that dream holiday. Should we wait for a sale? Book a year in advance? Sacrifice ourselves to the travel gods?

Before you try that last one, hear me out… we've been booking flights all wrong. Yeah, whoever told us "the earlier, the better!" when securing plane tickets is officially public enemy number one.

Watch: TikTok influencer reveals cheap flight travel hack. Post continues after video.

Basically, Expedia released its 2025 Air Hacks report and debunked a bunch of flying hacks — including "Summer is the most expensive time to travel" (January is actually the cheapest month to travel) and "Airfares always go up every year" (average ticket prices are actually down).

But the myth that stood out to me the most was this: "The further ahead you book, the cheaper it will be".

[Insert 'wrong answer' buzzer].

According to the report, booking more than five months in advance is literally the worst time to book.

Great, so all those times I panic-booked a flight 10 months early, thinking I was gaming the system? I was actually playing myself. Fantastic.

That's not to say we shouldn't book in advance at all, oh no. Per Expedia, there is magical three-month window for booking international flights. And it could save us up to 12 per cent on flights.

Being the dedicated travel investigator I am (read: desperately wanting cheaper holidays), I put this theory to the test.

I jumped onto Skyscanner and compared flights from Sydney to London — because who doesn't want to live their best Emily in Paris London life?

The results? A two-week return flight booked three months in advance (for May) came in at $1,420.

Three months in advance. Image: Supplied

Meanwhile, the same trip booked for August cost $1,708. That saves us $288 and 18 per cent.

Six months in advance. Image: Supplied

But wait, there's more! (Yes, I'm channelling my inner infomercial host, but stick with me, because this is good).

The day you book your flights matters, too. According to the report, booking your flights on a Sunday could save you up to 17 per cent on international flights compared to booking on a Friday.

That's right — while you're lounging in your PJs, scrolling through your phone on a lazy Sunday morning, you could be scoring some serious savings on your next adventure.

For those of you who are planning domestic trips (because sometimes a quick jaunt to Byron or Melbourne is just what the doctor ordered), the rules are a little different.

For domestic flights, you'll want to book about six months ahead, because it could save you up to 36 per cent compared to last-minute bookings. That's enough savings for at least a few fancy brunches and mimosas at your destination, just saying!

Now, let's talk about what this means for your travel planning strategy. Gone are the days of setting your alarm for midnight sales, grabbing your crystals and standing on one leg. Instead, here's your new game plan:

1. Pick your destination (the fun part!).

2. Count back three months from when you want to travel.

3. Mark your calendar for a Sunday around that time.

4. Book your flights while enjoying your morning coffee in bed.

It's that simple. No complicated algorithms, no need to clear your browser history or use incognito mode, and definitely no need for any sacrifices to the travel gods.

Of course, like any good hack, this comes with a small caveat: while this three-month window is statistically the sweet spot, prices can still fluctuate based on peak seasons, events, and good old supply and demand. So, just bear that in mind when looking for flights.

But hey, at least now we have some solid data to work with, instead of just crossing our fingers and hoping for the best.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to book some flights. For research purposes, of course — I'm definitely not planning a trip to London this August.

Feature Image: Getty.