I'm going on holiday in two weeks. A friend said they used to turn up at the airport, and take a cheap flight to a country they liked the sound of. There are loads of countries I'd be happy to visit. Would you recommend this as a way of getting a cheap flight?
2007-07-14 07:46:55 · 11 answers · asked by ben j 1 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Sure, I guess. I dont know if it will work or not but give it a try. A flight would rather fill a seat for $20 bucks than take off with an empty seat. At least, that would be financially sound. Dont expect good seating though... and you may have to wait several hours for a flight that HAS an empty seat for you.
2007-07-14 07:50:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scheduled airlines will sometimes sell "stand-by" tickets at a lower price at the airport if there are still seats when the flight is closing, but they may still be more expensive than getting a cheapie with a charter flight. Start phoning around travel agents and looking on the internet in the month you'd like to go. They usually put out new bargain offers at the beginning of each month. And be prepared to be flexible on the date. Samos was offered at £29 return from Gatwick on June 14th. I saw it on about the 4th, but I'd already booked at a higher price because my travelling companion wanted to get the booking settled far in advance. Until then I had always booked in the last few days and done well.
Travel agents often have last minute bargains with accommodation included. But have a careful good look at what accommodation is offered. Sometimes they are the sort of places no-one wants to go. For instance, I wouldn't take a 2* hotel package in the Med, because they are usually just too low in standard of rooms, cleaning, food etc. Go for minimum 3* if booking a hotel package. But 2* self-catering packages in studios are fine, and they are VERY cheap sometimes.
2007-07-14 09:14:07 · answer #2 · answered by jimporary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You used to be able to do this until about the late 1990's. There were two scenarios you get cheap tickets: 1) The airline had seats available on the next flight and wanted to get some money for it rather than have the seat go empty; 2) You were sold a standby tickets for full flights and if the booked passengers did not check-in, you got their seat.
The airlines have now pretty much stopped doing this. The airlines now know that they can sell full price tickets to people who show up at the airport. I have also been told by an airline that they stopped selling standby tickets for security reasons, but I fail to understand this given that you can buy full priced tickets at the airport.
2007-07-14 09:21:44 · answer #3 · answered by Penfold 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll never get a late flight cheap. They usually sell at the highest possible price - people who get last minute flights are often desperate (ie, need to get some where for a funeral, emergency or something).
Best way to get cheap flights is to book really early - ryanair often have flights for £1!!
Oh yeah, this was my 100th Yahoo answer ;) Rate it good!!
2007-07-14 07:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by Mr_Digger 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It works but it's not very reliable.
A long time ago, it was much easier until Hotwire, etc started taking advantage of slow ticket sales or cancellations.
The way you can get them like that now, is that you have to be right there at the ticket counter, and pounce on the very last minute cancellations or no shows.
This method works with cruise ships too. My wife and I got on a cruise for one week to the Bahama's, for about one third the cost. We literally stood on the dock with our bags waiting for someone not to show up. At the last minute (and I mean last minute) the purser came to us and gave us an offer, we countered and he accepted. But man we had to rush and drag our stuff on board in order to get on in time.
We had a very nice room and enjoyed everything the full price guests received.
2007-07-14 07:57:19 · answer #5 · answered by Joker 1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
book early that the best way of a guaranteed cheap flight and whatever people tell you these budget airlines are great value for the price.
2007-07-14 08:07:03 · answer #6 · answered by .brynbach 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No way! I did once and I had to sit in coach because my assistant forgot to book the flight.
2007-07-14 07:49:48 · answer #7 · answered by ♡Mary♡ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2007-07-16 03:54:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, it does not work like that. The last minute "walk-up" fares are the highest priced tickets.
2007-07-14 09:10:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you'd look a prat if you went somewhere and you needed a visa
2007-07-14 07:56:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋