Despite marketing hype that encourages travelers to book months in advance, last-minute deals can provide breathtaking savings for those who can travel on extremely short notice. If you are flexible about exactly where and when to go, look for savings of up to 75% or more off the original prices. If an emergency arises, forcing you to book a last minute flight to a specific location, finding cheap airfare is a bit more challenging.
Check online booking engines. Major sites such as Kayak, Orbitz and Expedia search multiple airlines for the best deals. Comparison shop among several different engines, as various companies offer site-specific bargains at different times.
Search individual airline Web sites. Although time consuming, this process may show coupon codes or savings that were not highlighted on the booking engines. Some airlines, such as Southwest, do not participate in conglomerate search engines at all.
Visit online coupon sources and savings forums to search for relevant offers. Some discount codes cannot be used on last-minute flights, while others are valid only for members of a savings club or other group. Some codes can be used by anyone who takes the time to seek them out.
Check into low fare offerings for which you may be eligible. Seniors, students, children and active duty members of the military often qualify for increased savings. You may also be able to save money through membership organizations such as AAA, AARP or Veterans Advantage.
Call a travel agent. Although traditional wisdom states that travel agents are always more expensive than independent bookings, travel agents have the ability to cut through red tape. A good travel agent may be able to find a more practical itinerary with assigned seating for less money than a convoluted route you found on your own.
Call your preferred airline. If the situation is truly an emergency, you might qualify for a bereavement fare or other heavily discounted rate. These fares are highly restricted and generally require documentation proving the emergency, but if the need is great the savings may be worth the hassle.
