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Cheap Last-minute Priceline Airfares
Quick overview of last-minute airfare savings
Here you’ll learn easy, step-by-step instructions for how to get a cheap last-minute airfare using Priceline.com AirSeven easy steps
1. Check fares for your travel dates.
2. Find out advanced purchase airfares.
3. Check hotwire.com fares.
4. Determine your bid.
5. Keep in mind priceline's rules.
6. Submit your bid.
7. What to do if your bid is accepted, or if it is not.
[Have not missed advance ticketing deadlines?
Click here for other techniques to save.]
1. Check fares for your travel dates.
Find out prices for the days you wish to travel on a major discount site, such as:
Notice whether many flights are available on the dates you want, or whether most are already sold out.
Try to include a Saturday night stay unless you are flying to Las Vegas. Avoid Friday travel to and Sunday travel from popular vacation destinations like Orlando.
2. Find out advanced purchase airfares.
Check advanced purchase prices for a trip at least three weeks from today (staying at your destination the same length of time and departing and returning on the same days of the week).Do your fare research on the same day you plan to buy your ticket so that you have up-to-date information.
3. Check hotwire.com fares.
You need to know Hotwire prices so that you do not overbid using priceline.
Check fares for your travel dates on:
Hotwire.com
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Hotwire.com
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Hotwire doesn't require bidding, but the site operates similarly to priceline.com:
- You do not find out your airline and flight times until you pay. (This lets airlines give you their best prices without their full-paying customers knowing.)
- You’ll travel on a major full-service airline, but could depart anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. for trips in the U.S.
- You travel nonstop or with just one connection (if these are available to your destination).
Write down the payment deadline Hotwire gives you (just in case).
4. Determine your priceline.com bid.
For last-minute bookings, ideally, you want to bid about 10 - 15 percent more than the advanced purchase fare would have been.However, add to your bid (but still save on the last-minute airfare) each time your trip involves the following factors:
- You find few flights available on your ideal dates.
- You are traveling peak season to a popular destination, like Hawaii.
- You are leaving on Friday or returning on Sunday.
- You must travel on specific dates. You can't be flexible.
- You cannot use alternative airports if your first bid fails.
- You are unwilling to use "red-eye" (night) or non-jet flights if your first bid fails.
Also, consider your destination. Travel to popular tourist sites in the U.S. such as Disney World and New York City has rebounded since 9/11, but international travel (especially to Africa, Asia, and Europe) remains weak.
5. Keep in mind priceline's rules.
You cannot re-bid on exactly the same trip within 7 days. You can re-bid if you are willing to change dates or airports or allow red eye (night) flights, etc. So, let your flexibility (or lack of it) help determine your first bid.
Priceline’s (and Hotwire’s) fares are not refundable. Once you pay, you cannot change your dates or times. (However, most airlines let you standby for other flights on the same day.)
6. Submit your bid.
Submit your bid to:Priceline.com Air
Priceline.com Air
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After you submit your bid, priceline shows you your total cost, including taxes and fees.
Since taxes and fees vary by routing, you may want to revise your bid upward or downward until you are satisfied with the total price.
Your bid does not become final until you give your credit card number.
Be sure to write down the transaction number priceline gives you when you bid. You should find out whether your bid was accepted within several minutes.
7. What to do if your bid is accepted, and what to do if it is not.
If your bid is accepted, congratulations! You are on your way!
- Print out your itinerary and receipt and take them with you to the airport.
- If you have special seating or meal preferences, call your airline a.s.a.p. to make these requests. Verify suggested check-in time and the time you must be at the departure gate.
- For tips on making your flight go smoothly, visit our Air Travel Check List. If you'd like to fly at a different time of day, check our Flying Standby tips.
If your bid is not accepted, click here for some options for your next move.
Ready to bid?
Priceline.com Air (opens in new window)
Priceline.com Air (opens in same window)
May your priceline bids be low and accepted!
Best wishes for a wonderful trip!
