Same day flights?

Anybody every bought flights on the same day they intend to travel?  If so, how did that work out for you?...

 I'm thinking it could either be super duper expensive, or moderately cheap...I never took any business classes, but surely it would have something to do with supply and demand, right?

Just trying to see if I can make a quick trip over, since Monday is memorial day in the US, and a bank holiday in the UK...

Hiya,

You're a trooper! And i do have to say that I as well, on numerous occasions, thought of last minute prices...I actually JUST booked my ticket today for flying over next friday (also considered very short notice - about a wk) and the price was pretty much the same as it was during the whole month (im paying $980 nyc-lon) However, i just know that checking to fly out on this friday during the wk - the prices were pretty much doubled. I know a lot of last minute business travelers typically pay such high prices for last minutes traveling. I remember once i went to visit my best friend in Michigan and while i was at the airport heading back home I was feeling adventurous i wanted to pull one of those movie moment - where i come up to the ticket counter and request the first rountrip to LHR...it wasnt that adventurous when the lady responded: Well, we have a flight departing in just a couple of hrs with plenty of seats...and that would be $2,800. 

Good luck and i know its a bank holiday for the UK as well as a day off for us - but if you can pay for 1/2 for the same flight for the next i would say save the money  - just book it and take a "sick day" at work next monday

my husband's always did last minute tickets through a travel agent when he'd come out to see me, usually he left the next day. but I've never seen anything to suggest they are cheaper (DH swears by them though).

I suppose if you went to the airport and tried to do standby you may have more luck than if you booked online or at an agent.

Good luck

Figured i'd wake up way early to check on things..

Yeah, I live about 5-10 minute from an airport...and an hour from one that flies directly to London.   It's never busy, and they've always been pretty helpful, so I'm just gonna show up there, and see what happens. I don't know if I'll be able to fly standby if there's a connecting flight though...


This is so crazy.  I know it probably won't work out, but I've packed a bookbag with some bits and bobs, and I finish work early today-1:00pm, so it's worth a shot, right?! It's not like I'd really have to go that far out of my way...

Anybody know how "name your own price" on Priceline works?

I mean, i'm putting in some pretty low numbers, but it's always coming back with $XX7.85, regardless of what value i put in....  Do I automatically get flight information after entering my details and clicking "SEND"? Or is it a bit of a process were Priceline then has to work some magic with the airlines?

It says they can book your flights anytime between 5am-2am on the next day, sooo, I'm thinking I'll wait until around noon to try it out, to make sure I have time to get to the airport/check in/etc.  And I'll have DB check my email on the drive over

You will automatically get your flight details after your price is accepted. 

You will automatically get your flight details after your price is accepted. 

What I'm wondering is how long it takes for a price to be accepted.  Like a matter of minutes while it searches the database, or if it will be sent in an email?

I've not done it for flights, only for hotels, but I recieved an email with details within minutes.  Good luck!

When I was a travel agent..I never found cheap flights. Because it was last minute it was always the most expensive seats left.

I booked several years ago flights leaving the next day to go to my mother's funereal and I paid for 2 people £2450 for flights from the IOM to Tulsa return...

Good Luck tho...

When I was a travel agent..I never found cheap flights. Because it was last minute it was always the most expensive seats left.

I booked several years ago flights leaving the next day to go to my mother's funereal and I paid for 2 people £2450 for flights from the IOM to Tulsa return...

Good Luck tho...

As a travel agent you probably knew this but didn't or couldn't you have cut a deal with the airline on bereavement travel?

Yes I did..

I had to get a death certificate and prove that my mother had died and then they would have refunded me 10% and at that time I was to upset to bother with the piddly amount they were offering me.

Thanks everyone!

I wasn't able to find anything in my price range, and find it completely silly that airlines would rather leave a flight half empty than lower the price of flights at the last minute.

My DB attempted to explain the business aspect of it all, and while I can understand it, I still think it defeats logic.

So here I am at home, settling in for a nice big thunderstorm   My favorite!  OOh, and hitting up some good Memorial day weekend sales tomorrow!

Thanks everyone!

I wasn't able to find anything in my price range, and find it completely silly that airlines would rather leave a flight half empty than lower the price of flights at the last minute.

My DB attempted to explain the business aspect of it all, and while I can understand it, I still think it defeats logic.

So here I am at home, settling in for a nice big thunderstorm   My favorite!  OOh, and hitting up some good Memorial day weekend sales tomorrow!

The business aspect....
Food thrown away by stores. Someone I know who was married to a CPA (so wasn't a homeless) she use to go through the dumpsters at the back of the store to get food, for her children, that was thrown away. The stores put these dumpsters behind locked gates now.
Sorry for the highjack

The business aspect....
Food thrown away by stores. Someone I know who was married to a CPA (so wasn't a homeless) she use to go through the dumpsters at the back of the store to get food, for her children, that was thrown away. The stores put these dumpsters behind locked gates now.
Sorry for the highjack

Highjack away.  I think this is ridiculous....Stores can easily donate leftover food to homeless shelters, and even use it as a tax write-off, no? 

(and airlines would sell more seats if flights were cheaper...)

Awww i was really rooting for you yesterday as well!!!! Sorry to hear it didnt work out - and i agree that its redic how flight prices sky-rocket instead of selling out their sears. Perhaps the whole supply demands doesnt apply if there are business travelers & companies willing to pay for these over-prices tickets? 

Also - shopping therapy is always my fave enjoy the sales and book now for your 4th of july wknd - i just checked and prices are quite reasonable. I always use kayak.com hopefully that helps you out!

P.s. Great point Peacemaker! i believe if enough political/social pressure was placed on these restaurants im sure they will hand deliver food pkgs to those in need - unfortunately it seems as though in this world until someone points it out enough everone will turn a blind eye