In a perfect world, we’d all be able to jump on a cheap last-minute flight whenever we wanted to jet off somewhere. In reality, this joyous, spontaneous way of travel usually requires a little more planning – and a touch of technological assistance.
When it comes down to it, most last-minute flights don’t tend to be the cheaper option. But I have some helpful tips and tricks you can use to find the best cheap last-minute flight deals and book them.
How to get cheap last-minute flights if your travel dates aren’t flexible
Here are six very useful points to consider when you are searching for cheap flights but are not flexible on your dates of travel. Follow these carefully for the best results.
Book one way
Since round-trip flights aren’t always the cheapest option, it can be worth checking to see if you can book two separate tickets (sometimes on different airlines or to different places).
Book early or late
When searching for flights, the very early options or red-eye (overnight) flights can often be cheaper, as they’re less convenient for most people.
Being willing to fly at undesirable times can often help you find last-minute flights at desirable prices. Not everyone wants to get on a red-eye or a flight leaving at 6 a.m. – but if you can handle the sleep disruption or you’re actually fine getting some substantial shut-eye in-flight, booking something during a time other travelers might pass on can help you save money and get you where you want to go despite doing so last-minute. Red-eye flights are almost always cheaper than flying during the day.
Mix and match airports
Cities with multiple airports offer a great way to search for cheaper last minute flights – flying into one and out of another often yields favorable results. Try this in New York or London, for example – even if the airport is slightly further out of town, it could be worth it for the savings.
Brush up on the latest deals
Sign up for the Cheapflights newsletter and it will alert you to deals that may coincide with your dates. It’s also worth checking newspapers, credit card notices, and social media feeds; you never know who’ll be dishing out the deals.
Stay alert
Cheapflights has an easy Price Alert option to click (once you’ve chosen your fixed dates), which will send you an email informing you when it’s the best time to book that flight. You want to jump right away when you see this come in.
Low-cost budget airlines
Usually, budget airlines offer cheaper flight deals, so when you use the Cheapflights comparison service, click on those when you start your search.
How to get cheap last-minute flights if your travel dates are more flexible
Getting a wallet-friendly last-minute flight really comes down to how flexible you are with travel dates. The more date combinations you can search, the more chances you have at nabbing a well-priced last-minute fare. Fixed dates can box you in and you’ll likely end up having to spend more. The same goes for location. Searching for flights to multiple destinations only increases your odds of hitting a good last-minute flight deal.
Here are six very useful points to consider when you are searching for cheap flights and you can be flexible on your dates of travel. Follow these carefully for the best results.
Start comparing
Cheapflights has an easy comparison tool where you can see travel provider options in a nifty side-by-side view. Choose your dates, trip type, number of passengers and cabin class followed by four providers and it will do the rest for you.
Even though you’re working on a last-minute deadline, know what you’re getting yourself into. Found an amazing last-minute flight that sounds too good to be true? Make sure it isn’t by doing some sleuthing before you book. Ask yourself the following questions, and more:
- Does the airline in question get decent reviews?
- What do previous users have to say about the service?
- What can you expect from the experience?
Doing some due diligence prior to booking can save you some hassle and frustration in the long run.
Fly to major hubs
Big cities or major airline hubs often have more scheduled flights every day, and so are likely to offer more flexibility when it comes to finding cheap last minute deals.
Alert yourself
Cheapflights has a great Price Alert option available, which will send you an email informing you when it’s the best time to book that flexible date flight on their preferred travel sites.
Avoid peak times
Certain travel times are always very busy: think pre-holidays or peak vacation seasons and key commuter times (Friday later afternoons and Sunday evenings). The same goes for places hosting major events.
Waiting until the last minute to book your trip home for Christmas or to plan your spring break vacation is likely going to work against you. In addition to being flexible with your travel dates, avoid trying to find a last-minute flight during the most popular travel times. Flights (and not to mention, hotel rooms) will be full and there will be much less chance of a deal being found.
It can also be helpful to search for last-minute flights during a destination’s low season when airlines will want to fill seats. That being said, flying on an actual holiday (versus a few days before it) can potentially save you money since the majority of travelers plan on reaching their destination prior to, say, Christmas Day.
Use the filters to your advantage
The Cheapflights app lets you filter by airline, number of stops, take-off and landing times to make it easier to find cheap deals.
Just ask
Embracing technology is usually the best way to find a cheap flight. But on the rare occasion (and it has worked for me in the past), you can ask in person at the airport or over the phone with an airline. You might just be in luck and find a perfect cheap last-minute flight to exactly where you want to go. It’s always worth asking.
Downloading and signing up to the Cheapflights app means the technology will start optimizing to suit your needs.
Just before the end
Now that you know how to book that cheap last-minute flight, all you need to do is plan your next trip. We have lots of tips and recommendations for ensuring a stress-free departure, as well as guides for how to navigate dietary restrictions on flights or travel with your pet. Bon voyage!
Cheap last-minute flights FAQs
Not necessarily, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t great deals out there. You just might need to be a bit more flexible and do a little extra digging to find them. Also, if you’re setting alerts and reading the right newsletters, you’ll be in the best position to book as soon as the best deals come up.
As a general rule, they don’t. But since supply and demand control the deals and prices, you might find that right before a flight to a certain route or on a certain airline, they could open up some tickets that are cheaper than usual.
I would say a week before a flight is probably the best option in terms of waiting last minute. You want to get in before the airline does its status or mileage upgrades, or before the flights start changing planes or off loading and loading passengers due to delays.
