The Indian aviation industry has experienced exponential growth in recent years. This is reflected in domestic air passenger traffic, which increased by 6.12% from 2023 to 2024, reaching 161.3 million, showcasing high demand and close competition for seats during last-minute bookings.
Last-minute flight ticket prices skyrocket due to higher demand; however, knowing strategic tricks, such as booking on flexible dates, direct bookings, splitting tickets, and using loyalty programs, can help you secure affordable seats. In this blog guide, we will cover the top last-minute flight booking hacks that you can try when you plan an urgent trip.
Top 10 Tried and Tested Tricks for Last-Minute Flight Booking
Finding a cheap flight ticket at the last minute doesn’t require luck; it’s about using the right strategy. According to Google Trends, “Last-minute flight deals” is one of the top-searched keywords in Delhi, Haryana, and Karnataka over the last 30 days. This proves how Indians chase competitive pricing.
In addition to tracking deals, you must learn more tricks, such as when to check fares, which tools to use for fare monitoring, and when to book, which will make a difference. Here are the top actionable hacks to note down to book affordable last-minute tickets.
● Stay Flexible with Travel Dates, Airports, and Routes
You should be flexible with your travel plans to increase your chances of finding affordable last-minute flight tickets. Try shifting your travel dates by a day or two, or choosing nearby airports, or opting for red-eye departures, which can help you access lower-priced tickets that most airlines release when demand is low.
● Book on Sunday for your Midweek Flight
Many studies have revealed that Sunday evening bookings often result in better prices for midweek flights, such as from Tuesday to Thursday. This happens when there are fewer corporate bookings and quieter weekend activity for airlines, as they recalibrate ticket prices to attract leisure travellers. The best trick for you is to search for flights departing on Wednesday or Thursday, and book your ticket on Sunday to save more.
● Use Incognito Mode to Search Flights
When you browse in incognito mode, you can bypass price hikes that get triggered by frequent searches. You can clear the cache and compare the same route in a new session, which will allow you to spot a more affordable fare than what you previously saw. Always remember to clear the cache data of your browser or the airline app when searching for tickets for repeat routes.
● Book from The Airline’s Official Website
Once you are done searching for flight tickets on third-party Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), re-check the airline’s official website for parity or exclusive coupons. Airlines like Air India occasionally offer direct-only coupons and deals for last-minute travel. Direct booking often simplifies irregular ops handling and refund processing compared to OTAs. You should also match flight tickets and baggage rules before switching.
● Opt for Hidden-City Ticketing
Hidden-city (or skiplagging) ticketing means booking a flight to a farther destination with a stopover at a location you actually wanted to go, as that ticket happens to be cheaper. However, it is a risky trick, and it may violate the contract of carriage and risk loyalty penalties. You must use this trick only without checked bags, as you may lose them.
● Use Loyalty Programs
If you are a frequent flyer, consider joining your favorite airline’s loyalty program. This will provide you access to exclusive discounts on last-minute flights or upgrades. For example, Etihad Airways offers its Etihad Guest loyalty program, where it provides members with priority alerts, bonus miles, and early access to discounted seats. Members can explore Etihad’s exclusive online coupons to increase their guest miles and upgrade to higher tiers. Loyalty members can also receive seat-release alerts, allowing them to grab discounted tickets.
● Choose One-Way or Split Airline Tickets
Booking a round-trip with a single carrier may seem convenient; however, it is best to avoid this option, as it will cost more. Instead, consider booking two separate one-way tickets or different airlines. Sometimes an outbound ticket can be cheaper on one airline while the return ticket can be cheaper on another. Consider splitting the booking and taking advantage of last-minute discounts to save money.
● Travel with Carry-On Luggage Only
Most last-minute deals often come with various stricter baggage rules. You should avoid carrying check-in luggage and stick to carry-on luggage, which will help you avoid extra fees. This will also help you enjoy short check-in and security check-up queues. Most low-cost airlines often charge extra for checked baggage, so you should always stick to carry-on luggage and keep your travel costs under a set budget.
● Pay Using Travel-linked Cards
Travel-specific credit/debit cards often provide bonus points, cash back, discounts, and fee waivers on your last-minute flight bookings. You should always pay with a card tied to an airline to reduce your net ticket cost and even unlock various hidden deals.
● Change Currency/Location for Better Fares
Another interesting trick is to change the booking portal’s currency or region, which will show changed ticket prices. Even after switching your currency, the final price still applies in India. Flyers have also noticed a drop in flight ticket prices after changing the location. You should always confirm the final total before booking.
Wrapping Up
All the above-mentioned flight-booking tricks combine flexibility, timing, and the strategic use of tools, which will help you save on your last-minute bookings. You should be flexible with your travel dates, airports, and route changes, using private mode in the browser, and even switching currency or location to reduce your last-minute flight ticket booking prices. Additionally, you can research and try new hacks to secure the best deals on your ticket bookings; however, make a habit of double-checking the terms and final fare before booking.