No matter what time of year, Skyscanner can find you the best deal on flights. However, during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the cheap flights get even cheaper. Read on to find out how to get the very best deals online.
When is Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
In 2024, Black Friday falls on 29 November and Cyber Monday is on 2 December. Mark your calendars and think about where you want to book flights to.
Why is this worth doing? Well, although this weekend was originally an American tradition, Black Friday is becoming more and more popular in Australia, with many brands using the period to offer meaty discounts. With huge savings to be made in all areas – not just Black Friday flights – it’s something we can all get behind.
Keep an eye on this page for last minute deals. Whether you want a holiday abroad or somewhere a bit closer to home, Skyscanner has the most competitive marketplace for flights in the world.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: When to shop for the best holiday & travel deals
So when you’re booking your next holiday, is it better to go for flight deals on Black Friday or to wait for the Monday to make your payment?
The truth is that no one really knows. Traditionally, Black Friday was the day for buying physical products while Cyber Monday was for online deals. However, the lines have become blurred in recent years. Online-only companies started offering deals on Black Friday so they didn’t miss out on customers, and other businesses followed suit. Others found that they could earn more sales by offering the deals throughout the whole week, so Cyber Monday quickly turned into Cyber Week.
Having said that, many companies use Black Friday for their headline deals. These often operate on a first come, first served basis so the very best flight discounts will go quickly. However, with week-long deals offered by some airlines and travel sites, you can often find great prices on flights whenever you look, but there’s nowhere easier than right here on Skyscanner.
When do people book their travel?
Getting the best flight deals isnt just about when you book, it’s about when you book for.
We’ve seen that people tend to book longer holidays further out but short trips tend to be more spontaneous. People travelling for a week or less tend to do so 58 days before they plan to fly (around 8 weeks out) while those going for longer than a month make their bookings 108 days beforehand (15 weeks before they go).
Our research, however, has found that the best time to book flights is 21 weeks before a domestic journey and 22 weeks before an international holiday. From Black Friday, this puts you in April 2025 territory.
How to get the best Black Friday & Cyber Monday travel deals
If you’re new to the thrill of Black Friday and Cyber Monday or want some advice, here’s a quick guide on how to get the best deals on flights, hotels and rental cars.
Flights
Black Friday or Cyber Monday could be your golden ticket to the best deals on airfare. But don’t just sit around and wait for the day to come — it’s all about starting early. In the days or weeks ahead, do your research and check out what type of flight deals companies are planning to offer. You can use Skyscanner’s handy Price Alerts tool to keep an eye on certain flights and book at just the right time, or our Whole Month search tool to find your cheapest travel days.
And when it comes to your search, comparison is the key. While big names like Virgin Australia, Emirates and Qantas might draw you in with attractive discounts, it’s a clever idea to use a comparison platform to cross-check prices on different airlines. You don’t need to fly with a premium airline either. Budget airlines like Jetstar and Scoot also traditionally offer deals over this weekend.
Scoring cheap flights is easy with Skyscanner, which fetches you a huge range of flight options, prices and schedules from airlines and online travel retailers. Being able to see all of these at a glance will save you significant time and effort. You can also set alerts for price drops on these platforms and receive notifications whenever there’s a must-have deal or price plunge. No need to check back every few minutes and no added costs.
The dos & don’ts of shopping for vacation & travel deals on Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren’t just about getting a good deal — they’re about getting the right one. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you when hunting for deals.
- Do:
- Research, plan ahead and compare prices. Knowing exactly what you’re looking for and what it costs outside of deal days can help you spot a good deal.
- Create a budget and set priorities. Decide what the maximum amount you’re willing to spend is and prioritise based on what’s important to you. You might choose a fancier hotel over an airfare upgrade, for example.
- Stay organised. Make a checklist of the deals you’re after, create alerts and bookmark pages to keep things in order.
- Check for additional discounts and promo codes. Aside from the core discount, keep an eye on any promo codes for extra savings.
- Read reviews and check the reputation of the travel provider. Read up on the travel provider you’re booking with.
- Maximise savings using loyalty programs. Use loyalty programs, which often have special points promotions or exclusive deals during these shopping events. Luckily, you can also use those rewards when you book with Skyscanner! Choose which of our trusted travel partners you’d like to book through and still take advantage of their loyalty programs.
- Use cashback websites and credit card rewards. Cashback sites often have partnerships with various retailers and will give you back a percentage of what you spend. Similarly, a rewards credit card can earn you points on every purchase or give you cash back for specific categories.
- Consider travel insurance. Especially when you’re securing bargain deals in advance during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, travel insurance will offer protection against the unexpected. Just be sure to consider their reputation, what they cover and the terms of their travel insurance policies.
- Don’t:
- Fall for scams. Stick with reputable retailers and travel booking sites. Anywhere else, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it might be!
- Make impulsive purchases. Always read all the conditions and fine print before making a purchase. Don’t let the pressure and shininess of the deal rush you. You might not be able to cancel or change the booking if plans change.
- Overlook hidden fees and restrictions. Beyond the headline price, there may be additional charges for baggage or restrictions on date changes, which can dampen a good deal. Skyscanner never has any hidden fees, but of course, additional baggage typically comes with a cost.
Inspiring locations for Black Friday and Cyber Monday travel deals
If you want to get the best deals on holidays, it’s good to know what your competition is looking for. This can help you decide if you want to get online early to beat the crowds or if you want to go off the beaten track and look for deals for a lesser-searched destination. For the ultimate thrillseekers, try Skyscanner’s ‘flights to everywhere’ option to see deals on places you might not evern have considered flying to.
During 2023’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday week, these were the most searched for international destinations on Skyscanner:
- Indonesia
- India
- UK
- Thailand
- Japan
Other popular countries included New Zealand, the United States and China.
In terms of specific cities, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane were in the top ten. Some of the most popular international Cyber Monday flight deals included:
Deals can be diverse, from full holiday packages with Contiki to individual flights and accommodation. Each year will bring its own set of trending destinations, so take a look and see what surprising travel spots you can find!
The best travel deals on your next holiday await
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the incredible discounts on cheap flights during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but don’t lose sight of the end goal. From conducting research early and comparing prices when purchasing travel insurance and reading the fine print, a good strategy will help you snag the right bargain.
Value can be subjective. For some, it means getting the cheapest deal to their favourite city, while for others it’s about seeing somewhere new without breaking the bank. That’s where platforms like Skyscanner come in handy, letting you sift through the many offers to pick your perfect match.
As you’re gearing up to shop, remember that the best Black Friday travel deals are just around the corner. If you’re ready to let your dreams take flight, go ahead and secure your next exciting adventure.
More Black Friday savings guides
Looking for more ways to save this coming Black Friday? We’ve also written guides on how you can find the best Black Friday hotel deals and Black Friday cheap car deals for whatever exciting trips you have planned over the next year.
Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
