The Secret to Finding Last-Minute International Flight Deals

Whether it's a spontaneous trip, a business emergency, or some other last-minute reason to book an international flight, sometimes you need to grab a plane ticket as soon as possible.

That's not always easy, but it's certainly possible to find some amazing deals when you know where to look and what to do. Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

Look for Error Fares

In a world of instant online booking, where nearly every transaction is automated, the people who are in charge of the airline pricing system and the travel agency website may make mistakes. These errors happen from time to time, and they can be a golden opportunity for travelers to get an incredible flight for less than it should cost. If you are looking for the best flight deals then check out the Thomas Cook Promo Codes.

When it comes to error fares, the best way to find them is to keep your eyes peeled for posts and tweets on social media or travel blogs that mention them. These posts are often the first to go public, so you’ll want to act fast before it’s too late.

Once you’ve spotted an error fare, the next step is to book it immediately before the airline figures out what happened. If you do that, you can usually expect the mistake fare to be refunded to you within a few days.

Another way to spot these fares is by following certain hashtags on Twitter. For example, you can follow Scott’s Cheap Flights and Thrifty Traveler Premium Twitter accounts to see what they have found. However, you’ll need to be a premium member to access their finds.

These fares can be a great way to save up to 90% off your airfare, but they don’t happen too often. So, if you’re looking for a last-minute international flight deal, it’s important to look for error airfares as soon as they pop up. You can also set up price alerts with Airfare Watchdog to stay on top of the latest deals.

Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates

Travelers who are willing to be flexible with their travel dates often find the best deals. This is because airlines often slash prices to fill empty seats, especially during times of year when they’re not busy.

You can also be flexible with your destination and airport choices when searching for last-minute international flight deals. This can be particularly important if you’re traveling long-haul.

If you’re planning a weekend trip to Miami, for example, you can look for cheap flights into Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or even Newark (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), or JFK. This can save you hundreds of dollars and make your trip more convenient and fun!

It’s also possible to find last-minute airfares on airlines’ websites. For example, Jetblue, Southwest, Hawaiian, and United all have great flexible search options.

To start a flexible date search on Google Flights, simply enter your departure and arrival cities (you can insert up to three in each) along with any desired travel dates. Then, you’ll get a calendar view showing you a list of flights that match those criteria.

Many other search engines offer a similar feature. Kayak is another good choice because it lets you search for flights with a range of travel dates and lengths.

Other search engines include Skyscanner, which combines all major airlines into a comprehensive search and provides a map view with pricing all over the world. However, it’s slow and filters don’t always adjust results.

If you’re looking for a more thorough search with a calendar view, ITA Software is an excellent choice. It includes many of the same search filters as other search engines but has a more convenient, fast, and intuitive interface.

Be Flexible With Your Destination

When it comes to finding last-minute international flight deals, one of the most important things to remember is to be flexible with your destination. While it’s tempting to book a flight to the same destination you always travel to, this will often result in paying more than you need to for your trip.

Instead, try searching for flights to a variety of destinations and looking at different dates. This way, you’ll be able to find a last-minute fare that fits your budget.

Travel Discount Code is another great tip to search for both one-way and round-trip airfares. This can save you a lot of money by making sure you’re getting the best price.

If you’re flexible, it may also be worth checking out last-minute award tickets on airlines like Southwest and JetBlue. They often have several seats on sale for award flights, so they’re a great option for last-minute trips that require a point-of-sale fare.

It’s also important to keep an eye on pricing trends for your destination and airport. Skyscanner offers a range of tools to help you monitor these trends.

For example, you can set up a Price Alert for your desired route and we’ll notify you when prices fall. You can also add your dates to our Fairness feature and let it do the work for you.

Hopefully, these tips will help you find last-minute international flight deals that fit your budget and travel needs. And don’t forget, our team is here to help you make the most of your next trip, so subscribe to our daily emails for all the latest news and flight deals! We’ll be happy to answer your questions.

Be Flexible With Your Airport Choices

One of the best ways to find last-minute international flight deals is to be flexible with your airport choices. That means not only searching for flights to and from your first choice airports but also looking at fares to nearby airports that are close to your destination.

For example, if you’re traveling to New York City, consider flying into JFK instead of LaGuardia or Newark. This can save you a bundle on your ticket prices.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many smaller, local airlines fly to a variety of destinations around the world. Search for fares to these smaller airports in addition to the main ones and you may be surprised by the cheapest options.

Finally, try to avoid booking your entire journey on one airline if possible. This can be risky, especially if you have long layovers or if you’re traveling internationally.

Aside from the cost of airfare, you’ll have to pay for checked luggage and you may run into issues if you miss your second flight due to delays on the first leg.

Fortunately, many travel metasearch engines allow you to search for a single departure and return date or a range of dates. That can be a great way to find last-minute deals when you’re not sure exactly where you want to go or what days of the week to depart.

You can also save money on airfare by choosing a day that isn’t a peak travel day, such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays. By booking your flight on these off-peak days, you can save up to $90 on average for a domestic trip and $130 to $140 for an international one.

Be Flexible With Your Budget

One of the keys to finding last-minute international flight deals is being flexible with your budget. While it is tempting to book your flight at a specific time and date, waiting too long can often be more expensive than booking early.

The most popular travel times - such as during the summer months or around Christmas - are also the most expensive, so it’s important to avoid these times when possible. However, it is still a good idea to look for last-minute deals during less busy buying seasons, such as the middle of January or the end of August.

Another way to save money on last-minute flights is to search for individual seats. While it may not be as cheap as searching for a group of passengers, there are times when airlines cut their prices to try and fill empty seats.

If you’re looking for a specific destination, be willing to search for flights that take off at unpopular hours, such as during red-eyes. If you’re not afraid of sleep disruption, this can help you find a last-minute deal without paying extra.

You should also consider using travel apps that offer flight alerts to keep an eye out for fares that may go down or up. Some of these apps will even send you an email or text when the price drops.

If you’re willing to do some research and use your imagination, you can often find great last-minute international flight deals. In addition to using these tips, be sure to look into the best travel credit cards and find ways to earn miles and points so you can make your next trip as cheap as possible.

Conclusion

Finding last-minute international flight deals can be challenging but not impossible. By being flexible with your travel dates, using price comparison websites, signing up for airline newsletters, and utilizing social media, you can increase your chances of finding a great deal. Remember to act quickly once you find a deal as prices can change rapidly. Happy travels!