If you are looking to save money on airfare to or from Florida, one popular way to do it is to book at the last minute. However, you may also need to fly unexpectedly due to a change of plans or family emergency. This page shows you how to book a last minute flight to or from Florida.
Travel Plans & Packing Tips : How to Time Your Trip to Miami
In this video, travel expert Russ Handler talks about booking a trip to Miami. He discusses certain topics that are specific to Florida, like snowbird season, which is when large numbers of people from cooler climates visit tropical states for the winter. It makes the airports and highways more cluttered, and is definitely something to consider. Other times of the year you may want to avoid include spring break and hurricane season.
Introduction
When you are booking a flight at the last minute, there are a few different strategies you can choose from depending on your situation, preferences, and the number of delays you are willing to endure. However, make sure to take all factors into consideration like the day of the week, season, and any other special circumstances that could affect the successfulness of your strategy.
Option 1: Look into Last Minute Vacation Packages
When shopping online for a flight at the last minute, it makes sense to take a look at the last minute resort or hotel vacation packages that are being offered. These bundles have return airfare included and if you'll need a place to stay at your destination anyway, this is a reliable way to save money. Occasionally, getting a huge deal on a full package with accomodations can even be cheaper than getting only a 'good' deal on a flight by itself.http://www.orbitz.com/App/SubmitQuickSearch?OSC=KfNOJDatYO!486048343!183192698!7001!-1&z=6eed&r=g
Option 2: Use an Online Bidding Service
Steeply discounted airfare can be snapped up on bidding websites like Priceline.com and Hotwire.com. These websites provide savings for last minute shoppers by selling empty seats that would remain vacant if not sold at a large discount.http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/29514/cruises/book_a_last_minute_cruise_and_save_money.html That being said, bidding does take a certain amount of experience to get right. Consider visiting a forum or resource like BiddingForTravel.com to familiarize yourself with the process and learn what's effective and what isn't.http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-book-a-cheap-flight
Option 3: Purchase a Standby Ticket
If you need to arrive at your destination reasonably soon, but not necessarily at a specific time, one strategy is to fly on standby. The chance of getting seats on the first flight are higher than you might expect. That being said, waiting for the next flight or the one after could still be worthwhile as the savings can be in the hundreds of dollars. Make sure to plan which flight you'll aim for if you miss the first plane, and which flight you'll take if the second one is full too. Failing to plan for this can lead to an extended stay at the airport. Sleeping at one of a number of Florida airports might not be the start to your getaway that you had in mind.
