Last minute airfare cheaper?

[Staback]

Has anyone tried buying an airfare ticket of a budget airline just few hours before flight? Is it cheaper?

 

[fone]

Usually not. If you die die must get from point A to point B last minute, the airlines will not charge you cheap, since you die die must pay whatever they ask for.

 

[Staback]

Won't they want to clear their unsold tickets?

 

[beanstalk6]

It is easy to run your own little experiment for today's flights. Verify and share your findings here with us.

 

[Delsamor]

Won't they want to clear their unsold tickets?

If not wrong, this is a pricing strategy in economic. The unsold slot vs your urgency to get to your destination, who has the upper hand? Usually is the consumer who die die have to travel. Thus, consumer has to pay whatever price airline offers you.

But it could be different too since pricing strategy is not fixed. Try out and let us know

 

[dilphinus]

Won't they want to clear their unsold tickets?

what makes you think their flights are unsold?

there are always people who are bumped off flights cos flights are full.

 

[wwwsquallcom]

I notice they might sell cheap for flight in 1 to 2 weeks time of departure. But if you want tomorrow or in a few days time, the rate will be very high.

 

[bugmenot45]

Won't they want to clear their unsold tickets?

some airlines rather leave their tickets unsold than to devalue the worth of their tickets.

 

[dilphinus]

some airlines rather leave their tickets unsold than to devalue the worth of their tickets.

And there are always staff on standby. Would rather give their staff the seats!

 

[darkmatt]

tested before. 3 weeks before going, i booked a tix. cheaper than when i seach now for the same dates last year

 

[zjllee]

Different airline different pricing strategies leh. Some will be very cheap 1 day before, then raise the price on the day of the flight.

 

[dilphinus]

tested before. 3 weeks before going, i booked a tix. cheaper than when i seach now for the same dates last year

there's no hard rules about it. fares are decided based on a lot of factors.

 

[wwwsquallcom]

I agree that there is no hard and fast rules. One just need to know what is the standard price to benefit.

I was monitoring Jetstar one way to Bangkok for 2 months, all the offer was at $50 one way even though they say it is special price. Waited until $34 came out, afew days into the promo the price went up to $60 (Think to trick those that they miss the boat and have to settle for this rate). Afew days after the promo they went back to $50 and now stay at $60.

 

[kangaroos_kang]

i find that prices depends on their competitor.
If competitors slashed prices, others will follow.

just like our local petrol cartel, 1 of them slash price, all folow

 

[lipo99]

Airline pricing strategy are the best kept secret....

 

[air_pork]

Try clear yr cache every time u browse those airline websites. I heard sometimes buy tic 1 by 1 is cheaper compare to buying 2 at the same time cos every seat got price and my fren did exp 2 tic purchased at diff price when buying one by one on the same day. Might be wrong but it may also be right

 

[Jacky2000]

tried and tested... they go by the seats one...

For example, there are 100 seats

the first 10 seats will be $XXXX
the next 10 seats will be $YYYY

I tried booking 2 seats and the price is $YYYY
So i tried booking 1 seat first, it was at $XXXX and the next seat I book was $YYYY....
I tried to book simultaneously using Ipad and PC, but still can't cheat the system.....