How to Get Cheap Flights Last Minute

Planning a trip months in advance can be great, but sometimes you just want to get away on a spontaneous adventure. But sometimes a last-minute flight means paying exorbitant prices for airfare. Fortunately, there are tricks and hacks that will help you book last-minute airline tickets at the cheapest prices. Enjoy our guide for the best time to buy plane tickets last-minute and find great deals. 

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What's the Best Time to Book Plane Tickets?

A 2025 study by Expedia found the cheapest day to buy airline tickets is Sunday, while the most expensive days to purchase airfare are Mondays and Fridays. Buying tickets for domestic flights between 34 and 86 days before departure can save you about 25% off airfare. The study also notes that tickets for international flights should be purchased between 18 and 29 days before departure in order to save an average of 17% off airfare.

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Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates and Times

Finding deals on airline tickets requires flexibility. While you might want to fly right away, if you can keep your travel dates more open-ended, you could save money on your trip. For example, if you're willing to take an international trip during Thanksgiving week, it's actually one of the cheapest weeks to travel. In fact, Thanksgiving week is known as the hidden best week of the year to fly internationally.

Traveling during the "offseason"—or in between seasons—can also save you money, depending on your destination. January and February are typically the best months to travel anywhere other than ski destinations. Some of the lowest airfare prices are found during these winter months, where travelers save an average of 15% on airfare in January and February, according to Expedia.

There are also “dead weeks” in the travel industry, or times in between busier seasons in which airline ticket prices may be marked down. The study notes that the first week of March and last week of April tend to offer cheaper flights, as do the last two weeks of August (when Labor Day weekend doesn't overlap with the end of August). The biggest dead week occurs right after Thanksgiving and before Christmas, when you may be able to find the best flight deals of the year.

Traveling during certain times of the day may also be cheaper. Business travelers, in particular, know that red-eye flights tend to be the cheapest option. These flights, which usually depart after 9 p.m. and arrive at their destination in the early morning hours, may be less expensive than daytime flights. 

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Check Fares from Other Airports and Low-Cost Airlines

You can also save money by flying from different airports other than the one closest to where you live. For example, a flight to London from Philadelphia International Airport may be more expensive than one from Baltimore/Washington International Airport. Driving a bit further on your ride to the airport can save you money in the long run.

When booking a flight, being flexible with which airline you choose may also help you save money. Low-cost airlines that fly out of main hub airports can result in cheaper fares than the larger legacy airlines.

Booking single legs of a longer flight is another way to save money on last-minute trips. For instance, if you are flying from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles and options are limited to expensive connecting flights, you might be able to book separate flights to get you to your destination for less. Similarly, one-way flights on different airlines may save you more money than booking round-trip flights with a single airline, sometimes known as a “hacker fare.”

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Take Advantage of Your CLEAR+ Membership

No matter when you choose to fly, CLEAR+ is an airport fast pass to help you speed through security. One of the many advantages of being a CLEAR+ Member is getting exclusive flight deals through point.me. This expert tool helps you to find, compare, and book the best fares using your points from hundreds of airlines and loyalty programs. CLEAR+ Members get a discount on a point.me membership, which allows them to save money by buying last-minute flights with points instead of cash.

CLEAR+ Members also get up to 50% off Going memberships—a tool for instant notifications about flight price alerts and help on last-minute flight deals from your preferred airport to more than 900 destinations.

Not a CLEAR+ Member? Join CLEAR+ today to save money on last-minute flights and enjoy frictionless travel all year long.