Last-minute flights have become a big business thanks to the growth of the Internet and low-cost airlines. You can be surfing the web and then see a flight that's cheap enough to buy on the spot and take a trip this weekend. If you want to book a flight at the last minute, there are a few things you should know.
One important point to make is that you can't trust the prices for last-minute flights that you see in ads. This is because booking fees, airport taxes, and all sorts of other little extras are usually not included in the price. They are all added on when you have your card out and are ready to pay, in the hope that you won't change your mind.
Also, you should know that just because a flight says it goes to a big city like London or Paris doesn't mean the airport is close. Budget airlines use smaller airports so they don't have to pay the higher airport fees at larger airports. These smaller airports can be up to two hours from the city centre by public transportation, which isn't always reliable. In some cases, the cost of taking a train to where you thought you were going can be as much as the cost of your plane tickets.
On airlines that take seat reservations, you should also know that last-minute flights only have the seats that no one else wanted, which are usually in the middle of the row. This can be very important if you get sick in the air or if you want to sit close to your family or partner.
The biggest catch is that you can't get your money back on last-minute flights. If you buy one on a whim, make sure you can actually make it first, because you won't be able to get out of the deal.
