// Use when traveler has flexible dates and wants to find the cheapest departure/return combination. Triggers on cheapest day to fly, flexible dates, when to book, price calendar.
| name | date-optimization |
| description | Use when traveler has flexible dates and wants to find the cheapest departure/return combination. Triggers on cheapest day to fly, flexible dates, when to book, price calendar. |
Find the optimal departure and return dates within a flexible range. Instead of checking prices day-by-day, this skill builds a complete price matrix and identifies the cheapest combinations with clear explanations.
From orchestrator profile:
origin, destination (IATA codes)departure_date (target)return_date (target, if round-trip)flexibility: low (±2d) | medium (±7d) | high (±14d)Calculate the full search window:
departure_date - flex_days to departure_date + flex_daysreturn_date - flex_days to return_date + flex_days(flex_days * 2 + 1)² for round-tripExample (±7 days): 15 × 15 = 225 date combinations to evaluate.
Use these established pricing patterns to estimate relative costs:
Day-of-week patterns:
Seasonal patterns:
references/pricing-patterns.md for route-specific seasonalityAdvance purchase effect:
Holiday surcharges:
For each date pair, calculate a relative price score (1-10):
score = base_pattern + day_of_week_factor + seasonal_factor + advance_purchase_factor
Format: Price Heatmap (text-based)
Return → Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Depart ↓
Mon 15/6 $$ $ $ $$ $$$ $$ $$$
Tue 16/6 $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $$
Wed 17/6 $ $ $ $ $$ $$ $$$
Thu 18/6 $$ $ $ $$ $$$ $$ $$$
Fri 19/6 $$$ $$ $$ $$ $$$ $$$ $$$
Legend: $ = cheapest tier, $$ = mid-range, $$$ = most expensive
TOP 3 Recommendations:
For each recommendation, provide:
Send to flight-search skill:
optimal_dates: [
{depart: "2026-06-16", return: "2026-06-25", confidence: "high"},
{depart: "2026-06-17", return: "2026-06-24", confidence: "high"},
{depart: "2026-06-15", return: "2026-06-23", confidence: "medium"}
]
When Kiwi Tequila API is available, replace Step 2-3 with real price data:
/v2/search with date_from and date_to parametersfly_days to cover the full flexibility rangeUse when planning flights, comparing ticket prices, or asking about flight costs, airline fees, travel dates, or route options. Triggers on booking flights, cheap tickets, flight search, vé máy bay, săn vé rẻ, tối ưu chi phí bay, đặt vé, virtual interlining, or any flight-related cost question.
Use when looking for airline promo codes, flash sales, or credit card discounts before booking. Triggers on promo code, discount, sale, deal, coupon, cashback, loyalty discount.
Use when advertised flight price seems too good, or when comparing LCC vs legacy carrier total costs. Triggers on hidden fees, baggage cost, true price, real cost, checkout surprise.
Use when deciding between flexible and non-refundable tickets, or when travel plans might change. Triggers on refundable vs non-refundable, cancel risk, change fee, should I buy flexible ticket.
Use when searching for flights, comparing airlines, or finding virtual interlining combinations across multiple carriers. Triggers on find flights, search routes, compare airlines, best price.
Use when user explicitly asks about hidden city ticketing, skiplagging, or throwaway ticketing. Requires explicit consent before analysis. Triggers on hidden city, skiplag, get off at layover.