If you've ever considered airfare for a last-minute trip, you've probably been surprised by the higher-than-usual prices: “According to Expedia flight bookings last summer, travelers who booked domestic trips 0-6 days before departure paid an average of $100 more than those who booked about a month in advance,” Expedia travel expert Christy Hudson tells Travel + Leisure.
If you've ever wondered why airlines don't lower their prices to fill empty seats, you're not alone. So why do prices go up in the days before departure? “It's actually a pretty nuanced subject,” says Hudson. Read on to demystify last-minute airfares and find out how you can still snag a bargain flight.
How does flight pricing work?
Airlines use dynamic pricing for airfares, which means that a computer is constantly calculating various factors to determine the price of a ticket, so prices can change many times a day. Therefore, tracking flight prices over time can help you see which numbers are higher or lower for different flights. Many websites offer such tools, including Expedia, Google Flights, and Skyscanner.
What is a last minute flight?
There's no textbook definition of a last-minute flight. “'Last minute' can mean a variety of things when it comes to booking a flight, but it generally refers to booking between zero and six days before departure,” says Hudson. “If you're booking within 24 hours of your flight, that's the ultimate last minute. With such a short time frame, airlines are targeting business travelers and people who need to travel regardless of price.” As Hudson points out, booking a flight within a week of departure will cost an average of $100 more than booking a month in advance.
Why are last minute flights so expensive?
“The bottom line is that airfares are demand-driven and highly volatile, so if you wait too long you can easily end up paying a higher price, especially if your destination has high demand and few seats available,” Hudson says. “As your departure date approaches, airlines can raise prices because last-minute travelers have less flexibility, fewer options and a greater sense of urgency, so they're prepared to pay the normal price.”
Similarly, last-minute travelers tend to be business travelers for whom price is less of an issue, or people making emergency trips who have no choice.
But if you're considering a last-minute trip, all is not lost: “The data shows some instances where the price of a booked flight drops a bit at the last minute,” Hudson adds. “But the data doesn't tell us what the savings are, whether last-minute bookers are booking more restrictive 'lean' fares, or whether they're opting for routes with more connections, which are generally cheaper than direct flights.”
Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure
How to find last minute flight deals
Flexibility is always key to getting great airfare deals, so here are some tips to help you find the best flight deals when booking last minute flights.
Choose your destination carefully.
“If your destination is flexible, choosing one with frequent flights from your airport will increase your chances of finding a reasonable price,” Hudson says. “For example, there are five airlines that offer daily flights from Atlanta to Miami, averaging 12 flights per day. The more options you have, the easier it will be to find the best deal.”
Make a transfer or two.
Many travelers prefer direct flights over itineraries with connections. Following the laws of supply and demand, routes with connections can sometimes be cheaper than direct flights. You may have to shop around to find the best deal, but if you don't mind travelling on less convenient dates, you might be able to save on flight prices.
Search for flights to multiple airports.
Check to see if your local or destination has multiple airports. For example, if you're flying out of New York, consider smaller airports other than JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark, such as Stewart International Airport (SWF) in New Windsor, NY, or Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, CT. You may be able to find better deals.
Please change your departure date.
“To save money on airfare, consider leaving on a Thursday, which can save you up to 16 percent compared to other days of the week, according to Expedia's annual Air Travel Hacks report,” Hudson says. “It's best to avoid starting your trip on a Sunday, when airfare tends to be at its most expensive.”
Book your flight on Sunday.
While there's no magic date and time when airlines will release their cheapest fares, data suggests that one day is the best time to book a flight (at least according to Expedia): “When booking your flight, try booking on a Sunday, as you can save up to 13 percent overall compared to booking on a Friday,” Hudson says.
Use your points or miles.
Even if a last-minute flight costs an exorbitant amount of miles or points, after taxes and fees, at least the flight is technically “free.” Your miles or points savings might take a big hit, but your wallet won't.
Best time to book a flight
“According to data collected for our annual Expedia Air Travel Hacks Report, which looked at millions of data points on flight bookings, the best time to book your flight is about a month in advance,” says Hudson. Of course, this varies by airline, destination, and travel dates. It's best to use a price tracker to set up price alerts for your desired route. Set them as far in advance of your trip as possible to increase your chances of scoring a lower price.
