We’ve all been there — you need to book a last-minute flight, but the prices are sky-high. Or you suddenly have a free weekend and want to take a spontaneous trip, but booking a flight would cost a small fortune. The good news? Planning a last-minute weekend getaway doesn’t have to be expensive! With the right strategies, you can find amazing deals on cheap flights without overspending.
My mom and I recently decided to go on a last-minute trip to Charleston over President’s Day weekend. When I say last-minute, I mean 10 days beforehand! When we first starting looking for plane tickets, we were finding rates of $600 per person round-trip which was out of our budget. By using the right strategies and being a little flexible, we were able to score flight tickets for just $200 round-trip per person!
Today, I’m sharing with you the strategies and resources that helped us reduce our flight cost by $800! That’s a pretty chunk of change. Keep reading to learn my 10 top tips to help you score great deals on last-minute flights for your next weekend getaway!
1. Use Flight Search Engines & Apps
Websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak allow you to compare flight prices across multiple airlines instantly. These platforms have features like price alerts and flexible date searches that can help you find the cheapest available options. Many also highlight last-minute deals and flash sales, making it easier to snag an affordable fare.
2. Be Flexible with Your Destination
If you’re planning a getaway but don’t have a specific destination in mind, you can use the “Explore” feature on Google Flights or Skyscanner to see which destinations currently have the lowest airfare. Sometimes, flying to a lesser-known city nearby can save you a significant amount of money!
3. Check Budget Airlines & Alternate Airports
Budget airlines like Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, and Breeze Airways often have discounted flights. My mom and I booked a flight on Breeze Airways for our trip to Charleston and had a great experience! You can also consider flying into or out of alternate airports instead of major hubs. Smaller airports sometimes have lower fares, and a short drive or train ride can still get you to your ultimate destination at a reduced cost.
4. Book One-Way Tickets & Mix Airlines
This is another great travel hack that my mom and I used on our recent trip to Charleston to save money. We took Breeze Airways on the way there and Southwest Airlines on the way back, which saved us a good amount of money! Instead of booking a round-trip ticket with one airline, look for two separate one-way flights on different airlines. Mixing airlines can sometimes lead to better deals than sticking with a single airline. Additionally, flying into one city and out of another can sometimes be a cheaper alternative as well.
5. Use Airline Miles & Credit Card Rewards
If you have frequent flyer miles or credit card travel rewards – now is the perfect time to use them! I highly recommend opening a travel credit card if you travel frequently (you can get a breakdown of all the different ones here). I have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card and a Delta SkyMiles Gold card that both save me money when traveling – even though they both have an annual fee!
For instance, I get 3x points for travel and dining purchases made using my Chase Sapphire card, which translates into more reward points I can use to book free travel down the road. I also get other travel freebies like Priority Pass for airport lounge access, which saves me money on airport food. I also get a $300 travel credit per calendar year. Although there is a steep annual fee for this credit card, I think all the perks offset it if you travel at least 3-4x in a year.
With my Delta SkyMiles Gold card, I get a $200 Delta flight credit if I make $10,000 worth of transactions on my Delta SkyMiles gold card in one calendar year. I also get 1 free checked bag per Delta flight, which saves me $70 in baggage fees for a round-trip Delta flight. Since I primarily use Delta for traveling, these points and perks add up fast!
6. Look for Airline Flash Sales & Error Fares
Airlines occasionally drop prices unexpectedly due to flash sales or error fares.
Flash sales typically happen during off-peak seasons or as part of special promotions, where airlines offer deeply discounted tickets for a limited time. These sales are often unannounced and require you to act fast, so signing up for airline newsletters (like Scott’s Cheap Flights), following airlines on social media, and checking travel deal websites can help you catch them!
Error fares, on the other hand, occur when airlines or online travel agencies mistakenly list a flight at a significantly lower price than usual. This can happen due to technical glitches, human errors, or currency conversion mistakes. If you spot an error fare, book it quickly before the airline corrects the mistake! While there’s a small chance that the airline may cancel the ticket, many error fares are honored, leading to massive savings on flights.
7. Travel Light to Avoid Extra Fees
Many budget airlines offer low base fares but charge extra for checked baggage. To keep costs down, pack only a carry-on and choose airlines that allow free personal items. Traveling light not only saves money but also makes last-minute travel more hassle-free! Download my free packing checklist to help you pack more efficiently for your next trip!
If you do need to check in a bag, consider booking through airlines that allow free checked baggage like Southwest Airlines. If you use a specific airlines frequently, you can also research if they have a travel credit card that allow you to check in bags for free – like the Delta one I mentioned above!
8. Fly on Less Popular Days & Times
Weekend travel can be pricey! Consider flying late at night, early in the morning, or on less popular days like Saturday afternoons or Sunday mornings. Airlines adjust pricing based on demand, so being flexible with your departure time can make a big difference in cost!
Try to find a red-eye flight on Friday night, or try to book your return flight on Sunday morning when possible. If you can work from home, make accommodations to work remotely from your hotel on Monday. Then, take a Monday night flight back home which is likely cheaper than a return flight on Sunday night.
9. Sign Up for Airline Alerts & Membership Programs
Many airlines have membership programs that offer exclusive deals to subscribers. Sign up for email alerts and loyalty programs to gain access to last-minute promotions, member discounts, and early fare sales.
Additionally, some airlines have fare clubs you can pay to join, like Spirit’s Saver$ Club or Frontier’s Discount Den, which provide members with exclusive low fares and early access to sales. You can also join free frequent flyer programs – airlines often reward loyal customers with better deals and last-minute award seat availability. Enable push notifications on airline apps to receive real-time updates on fare drops and special promotions.
10. Book Directly with Airlines for Last-Minute Perks
Sometimes, airlines offer better last-minute deals when booked directly through their website rather than through a third-party site. Booking through the airline’s website may also provide benefits like free changes, reward miles, seat upgrades, or bonus miles. Additionally, airlines sometimes release exclusive last-minute fares only available on their official platforms.
Direct booking through the airlines can also make it easier to manage cancellations, reschedule flights, and access customer support if any issues arise. Some airlines even offer last-minute standby or upgrade options at a discounted price when booking directly, which can be a great way to maximize savings and comfort.
Finding cheap last-minute flights for a weekend getaway is all about flexibility, research, and timing. By using flight search tools, staying open to different destinations, and taking advantage of airline deals, you can save money and enjoy an impromptu adventure without stretching your budget!
Did you find any of these tips helpful in booking last-minute cheap flights? Any other money-saving tips you want to share? I’d love to hear from you – leave me a comment below!
More Ways to Save Money While Traveling!
- Learn how to save money & eat on a budget while traveling!
- Check out these free travel apps to download before your next trip!
- Need some travel inspo on affordable places to travel? Check out my itineraries & travel guides on budget-friendly destinations!
