cheap LAST MINUTE flights?

[LMHB]

Does anyone knkow if it is possible to find really cheap LAST minute flights (say, as in tonight or tomorrow?) or is this just a myth? Is there such thing as a cheap "red-eye" flight? How would yougo about finding these? I usually plan vacations WAY ahead, but there is a small chance we may just take off for the weekend. Anyone ever done this?

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

It's easier to get packages this way, rather than flights only; sites to check are site59.com and lastminutetravel.com. Calling a local travel agent will sometimes turn up last-minute deals, but this is more common w/ cruises.

Hotwire and Priceline can also work, but it's pretty risky, you can end up going down late at night and coming home first thing in the morning, with layovers.

For flights, if you subscribe to airline emails, you can be sent notice of last-minute weekend sales. I subscribe to these on AA, USAir and United, but the catch is that you almost always have to purchase the tickets by midnight Thursday, and you usually have to return home on Monday or Tuesday, not Sunday. Sales can be great, though.

BTW, if you do get something, get to the airport earlier than normal; buying last-minute marks your boarding pass for a higher level of security.

 

[safetymom]

Red eye flights aren't cheaper by much these days either.

 

[Jestocost]

Many of the airlines offer special "last minute" fares, which they announce on a weekly basis. For example, American issues Net SAAver Weekend Getaway fares just about every Tuesday. They typically are good for flights out on the Friday or Saturday of the following week (fares announced on July 20 would have been for July 30 & 31 departures, for example) with returns on the following Monday or Tuesday (August 2 or 3 in the previous example). There are a limited number of destinations and seats, and you usually must purchase within a few days.

Other airlines have comparable offers. You usually can sign up for e-mail alerts through their Web sites.