How to Get Cheap Last Minute Airline Tickets

Finding cheap last-minute airline tickets takes some homework. The best scenario is to book your airfare early. But even if you're traveling at the last minute, you can still obtain cheap airline tickets if you shop around. Once you find what you are seeking, grab that cheap deal and fly to your destination.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone
• Internet
• Credit card

Instructions

Locating deals

1. Check your newspaper in the Sunday travel section. Call and inquire on any ads that meet your travel requirements for cheap last-minute airline tickets.

2. Search online for last-minute ticket deals. Determine which companies meet your criteria on departures, destination and price. Write down the best offers that suit your travel budget and contact the companies for details.

3. Sign up on the notification lists from travel and airline sites. You will receive email notices of last-minute flight deals. These are generally unadvertised with limited seats, but you can move on the offer quickly and get yourself a cheap last-minute airline ticket.

Suppliers

1. Look to major airline carriers, which offer last-minute tickets when flights are not fully booked. The airlines want to sell as many seats as they can, so the savings are passed on to you.

2. Research the no-frill budget airlines. These may use airports that are in close proximity to your departure or destination points. These carriers may not provide the most comfortable seats or amenities, but they will cost less compared with other sources for last-minute trips.

3. Consider air consolidators or "bucket shops" for inexpensive last-minute air tickets. They can be found listed in newspapers and on the web. Because they purchase large blocks of seats in advance, they can offer their tickets for substantially less than normal published fares for last-minute travel.

4. Try for a charter flight that still has unsold tickets.

Tips & Warnings

• Airlines will lower their ticket prices considerably as the day of departure nears. Put in the time to find these deals even if it means visiting more than one site or making multiple phone calls.

• If possible, book a flight midweek. A Wednesday to Wednesday trip tends to cost less than a Saturday to Saturday one.

• Off season tends to have cheaper last-minute fares than during peak season. Airfares tend to rise during holidays and prime vacation periods.

• Consider purchasing your tickets online as travel agencies will charge you an additional fee.

• Use credit cards to pay airfare. It is the best defense against fraudulent tickets.

• Check the fare thoroughly. The price quoted may not include the applicable taxes and fees. Also, know the restrictions the ticket imposes.

• Prices of non-stop or direct flights tend to be more expensive. Be prepared to change planes en route. Flight changes may have long layovers.

• Changes in travel plans such as cancellation may incur hefty fees or complete loss of the ticket's worth and validity.

• Charter flights can cancel at any time and for any reason. Other air carriers will not honor the ticket.

References

• Art of Travel: How To Get Cheap Flights

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• IATA: International Air Transport Association (.pdf document)
• Transportation Security Agency: Travelers Information