Is it a good idea to go to the airport and ask for the next cheap flight to anywhere?

10/17/2014 6:47:32 AM

Quite apart from there not being many (if any) discount fares to be had at such short notice at the airport, asking for a random next flight out with seats available is likely going to ring some alarm bells and get airport security (and possibly police) called in while you’re asked to wait “while we check what we have available”.
What’s the most likely reason someone wants to get out, NOW, no matter where to? Because he’s on the run from police, or trying to hide from something at least.

Anyway, at your typical airport who’d you ask anyway? There’s airline counters that may sell tickets on the spot, but not one “cheap ticket to anywhere” counter, so you’d have to check all of them, write down or remember the offerings, compare them, and then make your decision. Unless you decide on a specific airline and just skip the rest of them of course.

10/17/2014 1:16:47 AM

Airlines tend to charge full fare for last minute bookings, rather than discounting it to try and fill one more seat.

The stereotypical last minute booking is from a business person, who has to be there and is flying on someone else’s dime, hence doesn’t mind paying whatever is asked. So there is no real motivation to discount the fares. The number of people like yourself who might be looking for a cheap last minute escape are a very small minority.

Usually about the only thing that gets discounted at the last minute is upgrades, as airlines may try to raise a bit of last minute cash if their first class is empty and there aren’t that many eligible elite flyers on the flight.

All that said, there is nothing wrong with giving it a shot, as there are exceptions to every rule of thumb. Just don’t get your hopes up.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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