5 Tips on booking last minute cheap flight deals with BudgetAir.com.au

In today’s era of procrastination, even booking flight tickets is a chore we wait till the last minute to complete. Or maybe your group of friends is just so spontaneous that last minute getaways are actually possible.

No matter what it is, here are our 5 tips on booking the best cheap last minute flight deals there is, just for you.

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#Tip 1: Avoid peak travel seasons

Every country has its own peak travel seasons but the most common ones worldwide would be during summer break (Australia's winter break) and the Christmas season (Australia's summer school holidays). As such, flight tickets are almost always more expensive during these periods due to the exceptionally high demand.

If you travel during off-peak seasons, you do not just only save on flight tickets but other travel expenses as well - hotel bookings, attraction tickets and even on food, as some restaurants located in major tourist hotspots tend to increase their prices during peak travel months.

Best of all? You get to avoid those tourist crowds - visit the Colosseum and the Eiffel Tower without hundreds of other people blocking your Instagram shot. Walk along the streets of London and Prague without getting jostled around - it just might be the best part of your vacation.

#Tip 2: Be open to flight options

When booking last minute flights, it is all the more important to be flexible and open to flight options, especially since price is a key factor here. For instance, you might want to choose red-eye flights over those comfy flights that start in the day (you get to save a night of accomodation expenses as well).

If not, opt for connecting and stop-over flights when flying to long-haul destinations. It might seem like a chore to hang around and wait for your flight, but why not take the time to explore this new city or its airport? With some airports being tourists destinations themselves, you might just not want to board your next flight out!

Note: Here's our list of the 7 best airports in the world, don't forget to check them out if you are near!

Image credits: hok.com - Hamad International Airport

Another tip would be to choose different destination airports. For example, London is a huge city with 5 international airports, and the most well-known airport is the Heathrow Airport as it is closest to the city. However, instead of choosing to fly to Heathrow Airport, you could choose to fly in to airports that are further away from the city such as Gatwick Airport and Luton Airport.

Although further away from the hustle and bustle of city, you are still able to travel to London via accessible public transport. In addition, you would be able to explore the smaller and lesser travelled towns and cities where these airports are located.

#Tip 3: Do the opposite

Head on to famous Winter spots during Summer

Although visiting a Winter Wonderland is on almost everyone's bucket list, those beautiful cities are worth visiting when snowflakes aren't falling from the sky as well. For example, Finland is a must-go country during Winter, known for its skiing and snowmobiling facilities, for those who wish to visit Santa Claus or to catch the Northern Lights as well.

However, Summer in Finland is as amazing as it is in Winter. Go wild berry picking (it's all free), join in their Midsummer festivities and catch the 'Midnight Sun' - where the sun doesn't set for 2 whole months.

Visit the tropics during rainy season

Asia is well-known for its tropical climate - characterized by warm humid temperatures and of course, those rainy monsoon seasons. Popular destinations like Bangkok, Manila and Bali tend to attract lesser tourists during the rainy season - after all, no one likes to spend their vacation under an umbrella the whole time.

However, did you know that all this rainfall is better for whitewater rafting and waterfall chasing due to better flow conditions? This might appeal better to those thrill seekers looking for a exciting adventure, as water levels rise along these rivers. Of course, do take extra caution when trying out these adrenaline rushed activities in the rain, as with adventure, comes a pinch of danger as well.

#Tip 4: Sign up for deals

Instead of googling for cheap flight deals in a frenzy and keeping all 20 window tabs open, why not let the deals come to you? Sign up for Enewsletters by airlines and flight comparison sites, which typically offer either sign-up discounts or promotions for travellers who book on their site for the first time.

Plus, after your trip, continue to stay updated with any flash deals and destination promotions they might have - you are then ready to tackle your next last minute flight booking.

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Note: Sign up for our BudgetAir.com.au enewsletter and enjoy $5 off your next booking with us! Now, you can be updated with our trending destinations, amazing ongoing promotions and exclusive travel tips.

#Tip 5: Check your reward miles & points

It is no secret that many airlines offer their own frequent flyer programme. Designed to reward customers, it is relatively easy to earn reward miles and points - all you have to do is to either fly with the airline or shop, stay, dine at any of the airline's partner brands.

Afterwards, you will then be able to redeem these reward miles for free tickets, flight upgrades and more. Yet, in the hurry to book cheap flight tickets, people often forget to check how many miles they currently have.

Luckily, here's a reminder for you to check your reward miles when booking flights - do not miss out on those freebies your hard earned miles could get you.

Save more on last minute flight deals with BudgetAir.com.au today.