Dreaming of a spontaneous holiday but worried about high last-minute fares? Even though it’s generally better value to book flights well in advance, there are ways to bag a good last-minute deal. The key to success is flexibility and a smart search strategy. Here are 9 proven tips for how to find cheap flights. ✈️
Be flexible about the destination
The best way to find a cheap last-minute ticket is not to have a fixed destination. Use search engines like AZair, Skyscanner or Google Flights with the “Anywhere” feature and let the cheapest offers inspire you. You might discover an interesting place you’d never even considered. 🌍
Play around with the dates
If you have a dream destination, be flexible about your departure date. Fares can differ dramatically even within a single week. Try to:
- Fly on weekdays instead of weekends
- Search for flights early in the morning or late in the evening
- Use the calendar price view in the search engines – it lets you see prices for individual days
Use more than one airport
Widen your radius and look for flights from nearby airports. Compare prices from different departure points and consider smaller regional airports too (Pardubice, Brno, Linz…)
Don’t forget to factor the cost of getting to the airport into your overall budget.
Time your purchase right
Even last minute has its rules! The ideal time to buy is 1-2 weeks before departure. Avoid buying a ticket less than 3 days before you fly.
Watch prices across the week – you’ll often find the best deals on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Optimise your search
When hunting for a ticket, use these tricks:
- Always search for just one ticket, even if you’re flying as a group
- Compare prices across different search engines
- Check the comparison sites’ prices against the prices direct with the airline/carrier
Set up smart alerts
Let technology do the work for you:
- Turn on price alarms and so-called watchdogs
- Follow specialist services like Going or Secret Flying
- Sign up to airlines’ newsletters
- Create an RSS feed using Feedly with flight deals
Take advantage of glitches in the system
Every now and then “error fares” appear – tickets priced by mistake. Keep an eye on specialist sites and forums (e.g. pelikan.cz, honzovyletenky.cz, levnocestovani.cz, cestujlevne.com)
Above all, act fast – these offers don’t last long – and be prepared for the airline to potentially cancel.
Combine different airlines
Don’t be afraid to piece the journey together yourself:
- Combine low-cost and full-service airlines
- Consider a “self-transfer” via different airports
- Use multi-city search for more complex routes
Make use of loyalty programmes
Collect miles and points from loyalty programmes. Watch out for special offers for members and consider getting a credit card with travel benefits.
Last-minute flights can be a great opportunity for spontaneous travellers. The key to success is a combination of flexibility, patience and smart use of the tools available. Remember that every crown saved on a ticket means more money for the travelling itself and for experiences at your destination.
