How to Find Last Minute Seats Cheap

Before, if you needed to fly last minute for an emergency, the costs of flights could often be cheaper than standard airfares. But now, airlines prioritize flying at maximum capacity and this has led to higher last-minute fares than if booked in advance.

When is the Best Time to Book a Last-Minute Flight?

Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights, recommends booking flights 21 days in advance as a general guideline. Airlines typically price later bookings higher than early ones due to their automated fare systems.

When searching for a last-minute flight, it’s wise to shop around until you find an affordable deal. A variety of factors can impact price point when searching this route, such as location and timing.

Not all last-minute flight deals are the cheapest, and it can be difficult to determine which ones actually offer the lowest cost. Nevertheless, there are ways to reduce travel expenses significantly: being flexible with your destination and dates; or taking advantage of frequent flier discounts.

1. When planning a vacation to a popular destination, Berg suggests flying at off-peak hours or during the off-season for discounted ticket prices. Many popular spots become more costly during their peak season; to save money on airfare you could fly to less popular spots during off-peak hours or offseason periods.

2. If you need a last-minute flight, look for one with refundable options. Some airlines offer special “last-minute” flights that don’t require deposits or any fees at all – ideal for travelers needing to book their trip quickly due to unexpected vacation plans. This type of ticket may come in handy when planning out your itinerary for an upcoming journey.

3. Utilize frequent flier miles to book last-minute flights using them as a backup plan.

Some airlines provide last-minute tickets that may not always be the cheapest, but they can be an excellent opportunity to use up some frequent flyer miles and save money on airfare. You may want to call their customer service line or chat online with a representative about available rewards programs for last-minute bookings.

4. If you need a last-minute flight for a bereavement, inquire about bereavement fares.

Some major airlines will offer these, though they’re not always the cheapest option. Usually, there’s only a small discount compared to other flight deals available.

5. When searching for last-minute flights, be sure to include all nearby airports in your search.

When looking for a flight from New York City to Miami, JFK or La Guardia airports often offer last-minute deals instead of the more sought-after Newark. This is because those airports tend to be more competitive than their closer counterparts.

One way to reduce the cost of a last-minute trip is to search for one-way rather than round-trip flights. Doing this usually yields cheaper airfare since they’re not charging full fare for round-trip tickets.