How To Find Cheap Last Minute Flights Domain_10

Did you wait too long to book a flight? Follow this advice to snag cheap, last-minute rates.

One of the best ways to save money on a flight is to plan ahead. But sometimes, you don't take the luxury of advance notice.

Hither's how to discover inexpensive last-minute flights, whether you're traveling for a family emergency, a business organisation trip on short notice or a spontaneous escape.

ane. Utilize a flight map

Google Flights and Skyscanner accept handy map tools that tin can help yous notice the cheapest flight.

If your destination is set in stone, use the map to compare fares at nearby airports also. It may exist cheaper to fly into a location a few hours away and rent a motorcar to attain your final stop.

If your destination is open up-ended – i.e., "anywhere with a beach" – employ the map to pick the virtually economical locale. Select your dates and home airport(s), and and then scan the map for an affordable flying. Google Flights will even evidence yous potential destinations; all y'all need to practise is option your travel dates and interests, whether they be wildlife, food, beaches or nature.

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2. Call the airline

A handful of airlines still offer bereavement fares, which could help accept the financial sting out of last-minute travel for a funeral. To get the discount, you have to book the flight by phone and typically need to outset travel within seven to fourteen days. Be prepared to provide the proper name of the relative and the proper name and phone number of the relative's doctor or funeral home.

Alaska Airlines, for case, volition knock 10% off its published fares for passengers traveling due to the expiry of an immediate family member, according to Halley Knigge, a spokeswoman for the carrier. This also applies to Virgin America, which was acquired past Alaska Air Group.

Delta Air Lines and Air Canada likewise offer special rates for those traveling due to a decease in the family unit.

All the same, there may be cheaper deals elsewhere, so compare the bereavement rates with regular fares from other airlines using sites such every bit Kayak or Last Minute Travel.

3. Fly during undesirable hours

"Go on a red-eye or crack-of-dawn flight," says Elizabeth Avery, the founder of the travel website Solo Trekker 4 U. These flights tend to have unfilled seats and ofttimes will be less expensive than midday flights.

A cerise-heart trip from the Washington, D.C., area to San Diego, for example, was nearly $130 cheaper than other options for that road, according to a recent search for flights bachelor within seven days.

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4. Tap your rewards

If you can't find an affordable fare or skip the trip, consider redeeming credit card rewards or airline miles to subsidize your flight.

Not sure whether to use rewards or cash?

You tin calculate the value of your rewards for a given flight using this formula: (ticket price – taxes and fees) ÷ rewards cost. Then multiply that number past 100 to observe out your rewards value.

Hither'due south an example: A flight that costs $250 (with $20 in taxes and fees) or 25,000 miles would equal 0.92 cents per mile. That'south below the average value of rewards and miles from a variety of programs, so consider using greenbacks.

But if the aforementioned flight was $500 (with $20 in taxes and fees) or 25,000 miles, it would work out to 1.92 cents per mile. That'due south a good case for redeeming your miles, as information technology exceeds the boilerplate value of most rewards programs.

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five. Follow your favorite airlines

Several airlines mail service concluding-minute deals to their Twitter accounts. Here'due south a chart of major domestic airlines' deal pages and Twitter handles:

Alaska Airlines: @AlaskaAir

American Airlines:@AmericanAir

Delta Air Lines: @Delta

Frontier Airlines: @FlyFrontier

JetBlue Airways: @JetBlueCheeps

Southwest Airlines: @SouthwestAir

United Airlines: @United

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Kelsey Sheehy is a author at NerdWallet. Twitter: @KelseyLSheehy

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