How successful you will be in finding a good deal on a last-minute flight depends greatly on the time of year and your destination. While the best way to find the least expensive airline ticket is to book your flight far in advance, it is possible to find last minute flights for good prices. Aside from simply keeping an eye out for last-minute flight changes and extra room, the key to finding short-notice flights is to remain flexible and constantly be on the lookout for new deals.
Don’t miss out on a last-minute flight because you don’t want to bend on flight times or airports. Be flexible when it comes to arrival and departure times, airlines and airports. You may also have to take more than one flight to reach your destination. Prepare yourself for early morning flights, red-eye flights and other inconveniences. Flights that leave on a Tuesday or Wednesday tend to be easiest to find. Your best bet at finding a last-minute flight is to be flexible, even when it comes to your destination.
If an airline is trying to fill up a flight quickly, they’ll post Internet-only deals. You can monitor your airline’s website or sign up for e-mail alerts. Typically, fares will be posted mid-week for flights the following weekend. Beware of non-refundable tickets though, and watch out for loopholes, such as required Saturday night layovers.
If you’re having difficulty finding a last-minute flight, consider purchasing a vacation package. People buy flight and hotel bundle packages, and then try to unload the unused ones as the flight date approaches. You may be able to find an entire package for less money than the ticket alone. Search for these bundles on popular travel websites including Expedia.com, Orbitz.com and Travelocity.com.
Find a travel consolidator who is offering a last-minute flight. Travel consolidators buy blocks of tickets at discounted prices, helping the airlines sell seats in advance and selling off the tickets at reduced prices. Discount flight websites have relationships with these travel consolidators that allow them to offer shoppers cheap tickets.
You may find a flight on short notice by bidding on one. Several websites hold auctions that offer not only flights, but also hotel deals and rental cars. Just be sure to read the fine print first. Some sites have restrictions, such as only being guaranteed a flight during specific times.
