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9 Replies Last post: Dec 24, 2007 10:57 AM by LUCKIEST

How to save when you need to fly at the last minute

Sep 19, 2007 12:32 PM

Techie 47 posts since
Jul 29, 2007

My company often has to fly out to prospective customers' locations at the very last minute - - and although we are excited about the opportunity, it can also be very expensive to secure tickets only a few days in advance. Does anyone have any ideas on how to find the lowest fares possible?

Tags: lowest_fares, travel, budgeting Report as inappropriate

Mozart 31 posts since
Jul 28, 2007

1. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Sep 19, 2007 10:05 PM

Unfortunately you always get penalized for a last minute purchase! If possible, try making your flight arrangements during non-peak travel times and days. For example, if you have to stay through Thursday, it could be cheaper to actually spend the night at a hotel and fly out on Friday morning vs. fly Thursday afternoon and be packed in like sardines.

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gmonkey 15 posts since
Jul 21, 2007

2. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Sep 20, 2007 6:40 AM

Sometimes I look online at the big travel agencies for last-minute deals. Orbitz, Expedia and Hotwire all "occassionally" have something good. Otherwise, you really do have to look at red eye flights and off-peak travel times. Call the airline and ask them if they can tell you the lowest fare offered from point a to point b, and they can usually help out as well.

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ScubaDive 36 posts since
Jul 22, 2007

3. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Sep 20, 2007 2:03 PM

in response to: gmonkey

That's a good suggestion about calling the airline. I am in the habit of going to Hotwire, Orbitz, Expedia, but have also found that by doing a random search, you can sometimes find an offbeat site that has good deals.

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Marzipan 21 posts since
Aug 9, 2007

4. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Sep 20, 2007 6:21 PM

Always book online even if you inquire on the phone! Some airlines are charging as much as $20 to book a reservation on the phone.

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Ed O'Gee 215 posts since
Oct 25, 2007

5. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Nov 15, 2007 10:19 AM

I'd suggest looking for your ticket the day of the flight and finding airlines that have open seats on those flights. When they lack stand by passengers they usually will sell those seats at big discounts.

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DomainDiva 1,763 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

6. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Nov 15, 2007 10:43 AM

The airlines 'see you coming' for the last minute fares, the business traveler pays a huge price.

If you have only one days notice you may be out of luck, going standby is risky when a client is expecting you at a meeting. For anything with more than a 24 hour notice I would suggest the online travel agents.

ALSO, having a land line friend in the travel business can be a help too....lots of times travel agents get the last last minute deal notifications and you can save a bundle.

We have also found that we can schedule meetings in advance it helps as well.

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travlguy 13 posts since
Dec 19, 2007

7. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Dec 24, 2007 10:31 AM

Hey there when you have to fly do you have to get a room and car also ....if you do check out my site for last minute deals or weekend specials that include package deals that might save money ......Another thought when you go to my site go to flights and go to advance search and you will tie in to a booking engine that gives you more choice you may save some money .... www.JBFlytravelgroup.com

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DomainDiva 1,763 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

8. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Dec 24, 2007 10:42 AM

in response to: Marzipan

Thats because the airlines now 'farm out' reservations to stay at home moms and other people working from home. That extra fee helps pay them. I have found that the 20 or so you spend for an online booking is a lot of times a really good value. I have saved tons of money on reroutes and other things. If you can establish a rapport quickly with the agent they can find you all sorts of deals, they make money when they book not how much the booked travel costs. Also thes4e reservationsists have all of the info there to do the quirky tings that you cannot do online.

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LUCKIEST 8,136 posts since
Aug 6, 2007

9. Re: How to save when you need to fly at the last minute Dec 24, 2007 10:57 AM

Getting
the lowest airfare from Point A to Point B can be a ridiculously
frustrating experience, especially if in mid-flight you discover your
neighbor paid a third what you did. The way airlines work, failing to get
the best fare happens more often than you would like to believe.

h2. UNDERSTAND HOW AIRLINES SET THEIR PRICES IN THE FIRST PLACEAirline
pricing is a complex, unpredictable beast driven by three ugly words:
competition, demand, an you must know the forces at work.

All
major airlines feed their available seats and prices into four central
reservation systems that are owned by various airlines. . Airlines then change their prices based on demand. If a
certain flight is selling well, the price will increase. If another
flight has no takers, the fare will drop until the airline gets some.
As a result, fares and inventory are changing every minute.

Do your homework, LUCKIEST

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How to save when you need to fly at the last minute

Sep 19, 2007 12:32 PM

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