Frequent travelers have gamed the airfare system and figured out how to get cheap last-minute flights ever since they could search for their own direct flights. Historically, airlines have followed what is often referred to as the “21-day rule” in pricing their flights.
Flights typically open for booking between 330 and 361 days in advance, depending on the route, and from then until about 21 days before departure, the price is the least expensive you’ll find — after which they raise ticket prices at 14 days, and again at seven days. Research shows that the sweet spot for finding low fares is about 44 days before your flight. But last-minute flight deals are out there — you just need to know where and how to look.
1. Understanding how airfare pricing works
The airlines’ fare structures plan for certain types of travelers, pricing one bucket of seats for the advance planners, another for the less price-conscious travelers, another for mileage upgrades and so on. But more and more often, airlines are moving toward a dynamic pricing model; in other words, their fares may change dozens of times a day based on factors like market conditions, how customers are booking and how the flight is selling at any given time.
While you’re generally more likely to get a good deal the further out you book, there are still deals to be had if you know how to get cheap last-minute flights. And by using a combination of good strategy and search tools, you can find cheap flights.
2. Be flexible with timing
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, your savings can be significant. Let’s say you want to travel from Sacramento to Atlanta around a certain time, but you’re not committed to exact dates. You can go to the KAYAK Flight Search and enter your origin and destination, but before you hit the search key, click on the calendar icon next to the date you’re searching for.
You’ll get a pulldown calendar that will show you which dates are the cheapest for that particular flight (on the dates we searched we found more than a $120 difference between days). You can choose from those options or go to the upper right-hand corner of the calendar and click on the dropdown arrow next to “Departure”.
If you have the flexibility, choose “±3 days” from the dropdown list. This will reveal the fares on either side of your chosen dates. Don’t close out just yet: make sure you check out the “Our Advice” box to the left of the fares after you’ve clicked search, where the Price Forecast recommends whether to book now or wait.
3. Look for alternate cities and nearby airports
Let’s say you’re going to Salem, OR. The main airport serving this area is Portland Airport (PDX), which is 50 miles north of Salem. Pro tip for how to get cheap last-minute flights to this destination: try searching for flights to Eugene Airport (EUG) instead. It’s 58 miles south, and depending on where you’re coming from, flights can be much cheaper. Just keep in mind that you may need to be willing to make a stop along the way. Consider alternate cities or other nearby airports for your destination if you’re looking for a deal.
4. Search for a whole new trip
5. Hack your search: how to get cheap last-minute flights with one-way flights
For years, resourceful travelers have hacked their travel by searching for one-way flights and then combining them to create their own itinerary. The idea is that rather than booking a roundtrip fare, you can book two one-way fares, each on a different airline. You don’t even need to put in the work, because the KAYAK Hacker Fares tool does it for you automatically. If you’ve found a hacker fare, it will typically say “Hacker Fare” underneath the price.
6. Set a price alert
If you’ve got a specific destination in mind, you could do what lots of people do: search for it over and over again, or at funky times of the day like 12:01 am. But these strategies are hit-or-miss. The easiest way to do it is to set a Price Alert for yourself. Perform a flight search, then click on the bell icon next to it. KAYAK will continuously search for you. When the price changes, we’ll notify you via email or push notification.
You can use this tool in a couple of different ways. Search airfares for an exact date range; monitor the fares for a particular destination or flight route (with Flexible Dates); or even set up a Top 25 Cities Price Alert that will let you know when there’s a deal to one of the most popular cities. Keep in mind KAYAK will ask you to log in or enter your email in order to serve you better.
Finding cheap last-minute plane tickets can feel like a full-time job, but it doesn’t have to – you can do your own expert searching by filtering your searches and letting KAYAK do the work for you. Still undecided as to your destination? KAYAK can help! Check out the latest travel tips and news or inspiration.
7. How to find cheap last-minute flights: Commonly asked questions
Still have some questions about how to find cheap last-minute flights? Don’t worry, we’re here for you.
Are last-minute flights cheaper than scheduled?
Generally, booking at the last minute is not cheaper, and booking closer to the departure date is typically more expensive than booking in advance. That being said, there are still ways to find great last-minute deals with our tools.
Do flights get cheaper the closer to the date?
Yes, airlines will occasionally put seats on sale at the last minute to fill remaining spots on flights if they haven’t been fully booked already. But this is never guaranteed, so it’s best not to count on it.
When is the best time to book last-minute flights?
Prices fluctuate with demand, so booking on a certain day won’t increase your chances of landing a cheap last-minute fare. Check out KAYAK’s addition to the line-up of money-saving tools, the Best Time to Travel, and nail down your trip dates for your particular origin and destination.
Some of our top flight routes