Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Do Extremely Cheap Last Minute Flights Exist?

Sometimes we suddenly get the urge to take an adventure, or we are given the task of attending a pressing business meeting in another city. In both these instances, travel is ultimately going to be tricky and in some cases, expensive. There is a way to save and find extremely cheap last minute flights if you know where to look.

The Internet has become the best tool for all things travel related. You can easily compare hotel, car rental and flight prices with just a quick click of your mouse button. Within seconds you can have an entire vacation booked. When it comes to finding extremely cheap last minute flights, there are many valuable resources to utilize online.

Airlines’ official sites should be the first place you visit when you are looking for a ticket at a moment’s notice. Major airlines are always keen on selling every seat on every plane that leaves the ground. If you don’t find a discount rate on the airlines site, try giving them a call directly. Sometimes, you can actually get a better deal when talking to a person than you can online. This isn’t always the case though, so check both options to be certain.

The low cost travel sites should also be a pit stop on your journey to find a low price ticket. Just as some airlines will offer last minute seat sales, some of the discount travel sites do the same thing. Many people are under the mistaken impression that in order to find the very lowest price, you have to buy your ticket at least fourteen days in advance. Don’t let this discourage you from checking each of the discount sites for extremely cheap last minute flights.

If you’re accustomed to flying direct to your destination, consider taking a detour if you’re looking for a lower fare. Some airlines will offer cheap last minute flights on connections. If you don’t mind switching planes part way through your journey, this can be a great way to save money. The same approach can be taken on your flight back home, so be sure to keep that option open.

Also be a little flexible with your return ticket. If you are buying a round trip fare you may discover that you’ll pay less if you stay an extra day or two. This can be one of the best ways to get extremely cheap last minute flights if you are planning on staying with someone you know, and you don’t have to shoulder the cost of a hotel for an extra night or two.

Never settle on the first price you are quoted when you are looking for an airline ticket. This applies whether it’s a spur of the moment trip or a vacation you are planning months from now. There is almost always a way to get a cheaper price if you just do some research.