Is it true that you can get cheap last minute tickets at the airport? Or are they MORE expensive last minute?

Question

*I am trying to figure out what to do for when my sister goes into labor in FL. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Generally speaking, yes, it is much more expensive to book last-minute.  In some countries you might still be able to book a last-minute holiday charter package at a discount, but most scheduled airlines in the modern world utilize "yield management" software which keeps prices high at the last minute.  The mild and occasional exception would be a weekend fare special in the off season that some US airlines sometimes offer, but these are typically no better than a much-earlier sale fare would have yielded on the route.

Check to see if Allegiant Air fly from your city.  They serve several Florida destinations, and do not show up in other booking sites: http://www.allegiantair.com -- recently with Florida $29 each way.

Also check Spirit with service to Florida from a few cities: http://www.spiritair.com/RouteMaps.aspx ... and Southwest: http://www.southwest.com/

Round out your search with http://www.smartertravel.com/airfare/sea... -- for those weekend fares I mentioned, http://us.lastminute.com which often yields cheaper airfares by bundling it with car rental or hotel room, and http://www.bookingbuddy.com which will search your Orbitzes, Kayaks, Travelocity, Cheaptickets, airlines direct for any sales, Hotwire and Priceline, etc. etc. all in 1 go.