How to Get Cheap, Last-Minute Airline Tickets
July 20, 2011— -- Here's the situation: You've got to get on a plane, pronto. Maybe there's been a death in thefamily or perhaps your daughter just went into labor and the grandchild won't wait. No matter. Allyou know is you have to fly.
Are you stuck paying hundreds in airfare?
Maybe not. I've got some step-by-step suggestions that might get you to your "urgent"destination for less than you think. Believe me, it's worth a try.
For more travelnews and insights, view Rick's blog at farecompare.com
When's the last time you looked to see what a "tomorrow" airline ticket costs? Allow me toenlighten you. Say you need to fly from Dallas to Chicago. I just checked my website to find the cheapest fares and ifyou can wait until August, you can fly for a mere $125 round trip. If you have to go tomorrow,though (as of this writing), it'll cost you $626 round trip. A better example is the "next day" farefrom Burbank to Miami; the cheapest round trip price I could find was $998.
Forget that. But how to get from Point A to Point B for less at the last minute? Try these ideas,and in this order:
1. Use Your Miles (or someone else's)
The best time to use miles is when they are most cost-effective, and a last-minute bind fits thebill. If you personally don't have enough, many airline programs allow you to buy more to topoff your account and some even offer partial miles and cash payment options. Plus, your friendsand family can often redeem miles with you as the ticket holder, so barter with them if you haveto.
2. Call the Airline (it might be worth it)
In case you haven't flown in a while, what used to be called bereavement fares are largely ananachronism, especially among discount carriers. However, United still offers a 10 percentdiscounted "compassion fare," but American's website is somewhat ambiguous: It states that theairline "may" offer bereavement fares, but you have to call to find out. Be aware that the callcould cost you a $25 phone fee, but it may be worth it, as some airlines allow their agents tomake decisions in such situations. It's a crapshoot but may be worth a try.
3. Check for Vacation Packages (even if you don't need a hotel)
Trip packagers typically negotiate fixed-prices that don't fit the "stick it to last-minute businesstraveler" model, so sometimes an air+car or air+hotel combo can be cheaper than the cost of an ala carte last-minute airline ticket. Don't need the car or hotel? Just toss them.
4. Stay a Few Days (especially a Saturday night)
For their cheapest airfares, the airlines often add a minimum-stay requirement of one or twonights, and sometimes a Saturday night stay. If your itinerary calls for a quick turnaround of asingle night's stay, you could wind up paying a hefty premium.
5. Check Prices on Low-Cost Airlines (for better last-minute fares)
This sounds like a no-brainer, and it is, but in times of stress, such as last-minute emergencies,we don't always think straight. In general, low-cost airlines have a lower base-price for last-minute travelers, although it has lifted some in recent years. Nevertheless, check out the priceson the discount carriers. Bonus: Some of these airlines offer one-way pricing, which affords yougreater flexibility if your return date is unknown.
What most discount carriers won't offer is old school bereavement pricing. As JetBlue's websitestates: "Because our fares are already discounted to all customers, we do not offer additionaldiscounts…"
