How to Get Cheap Last-Minute Airfare

Airfare can be extremely expensive depending on the time of year you are hoping to fly. One of the best ways to reduce the cost of airfare is to book your flight early. If you do not have the luxury of booking your airfare early, there are several steps you can take in order to obtain cheap last minute flights for your next adventurous vacation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Book your ticket "blindly". Websites such as Priceline.com allow users to book a flight and "Name their Own Price" without knowing the time or airline carrier of their flight. The "Name your Own Price" option allows those who are not selective about their airline carrier or flight schedule to book last-minute airfares for significant discounts. By naming your own price, you can save as much as 40 percent off of other published prices for last-minute flights.

Step 2

Be flexible with your dates and times. Having flexibility with travel dates and times can help you to get significant discounts on last-minute airfare. Flying midweek or taking red-eye flights can save hundreds of dollars over weekend or daytime flights. Having multiple layovers can also be a great way to save money on last-minute flights. Websites such as cheaptickets.com allow you to search several dates and times quickly with a few clicks of the mouse.

Step 3

Consider flying into nearby airports. If you are not able to find discounted last-minute airfare to your desired location, consider flying into or out of nearby airports. A nearby airport may have significantly lower airfare rates than your desired airport. If there are multiple airports in your departure or arrival city, compare flight prices from each airport to get the cheapest last-minute airfare. Flying into nearby airports also allows you the opportunity to incorporate a camping and hiking adventure into your vacation. If you can get significantly lower airfare by flying into a nearby airport, camp and hike your way to your desired destination. Many hiking trails near major metropolitan cities can be found by visiting localhikes.com.

Article Written By Laura ONeill

Laura O'Neill is a stay-at-home mother and professional online writer specializing in travel and women's studies-related articles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from The George Washington University.

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