The holiday season is here, and you’re probably already aware that this is the busiest travel time of the year. Knowing this, it’s a good idea to make your travel plans early, in order to get the best rates and deals. But sometimes that is just not possible. If a situation arises that requires you to book a last-minute flight, are you just doomed to pay the exorbitant prices? Maybe not. Before you resign yourself to paying a large amount of money for a flight, try some of these tricks to get a better rate on last-minute holiday airfare.
- Use Your Miles If you have frequent flier miles, there is no better time to use them than when you’re in a bind and need a plane ticket fast. Don’t have enough? Some airlines will let your friends and family redeem their miles for your ticket. Friends and family will probably be easier for you to negotiate with than the airline will be, so this method is definitely worth a try.
- Look for a Vacation Package Because vacation packages tend to have fixed rates, the prices aren’t as likely to be punitive to last minute travelers. This can work out perfectly if you’re going to need a hotel room or a rental car anyway when you reach your destination… just look for a combo that has what you need. However, even if you don’t need the car or the room, and just don’t use them, you still may get away cheaper by using a vacation package. While we’re on the subject of vacations, you might consider making your trip a mini-vacation. You will often get a cheaper rate if you plan to stay a few days, particularly if you stay over a Saturday night.
- Check the Low Cost Airlines This seems like an obvious tactic, but it should still be mentioned. Low-cost airlines generally cost less for last minute travelers as well.
- Look Into One-Way Pricing If you don’t know exactly how long you’re going to be staying at your destination, you may find that this is a better deal. You may also find that waiting to book your return fare until after the holidays, if you’re able to, makes financial sense. This is particularly true if you can telecommute while away, so you won’t even be missing work.
- Book on a Tuesday Tuesdays after 3 p.m. seems to be the best time to find the most competitive air prices. It’s always better to shop fares mid-week than it is on the weekends when they anticipate more people have time to browse, so rates always tend to be higher.
- Be flexible Sometimes leaving a day earlier or staying a few extra days can make a big price difference. Also if you are willing to take a connecting flight vs. direct, you will often save money as well.
If all else fails, check the first-class rates. While holiday airfare is still going to be pricey, last minute first-class is sometimes cheaper than last minute full-fare coach. Since you’re going to be paying the money anyway, why not get the most out of it?
