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Cheap flights by waiting at the airport?

Replies: 24 - Last Post: Mar 31, 2012 7:01 PM Last Post By: byterbit

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SusieGirl7

SusieGirl7 avatar

Aug 23, 2011 11:48 AM
Posts:  676

15

I meant how would someone get past security now without a boarding pass.

I remember the security "light" days myself. Though they are funniest when seen in an old movie.

laketraveller

laketraveller avatar

Aug 23, 2011 11:53 AM
Posts:  5,467

16

Oh, I got ya. Yes that's a good point. Can't really get to a gate to hang out waiting for a last minute seat anyway.

I guess you could hang out in the terminal, but as stated there's no reason to.

Justin23

Justin23 avatar

Aug 25, 2011 4:09 PM
Posts:  1,486

17

Also the practise of overbooking is far more common in the USA than anywhere else. Where you can benefit, is by being flexible and taking up the voucher offers that get offered to unload passengers.

I was offered a $400 voucher to offload on a flight from Dallas to Guatemala. Which would have been fine, but as an Australian a $400 voucher for an American airline isn't much use to me. In hindsight I guess I could have ebayed it for $300 :-)

globalcitizen01

globalcitizen01 avatar

Aug 28, 2011 12:42 AM
Posts:  6

18

@SusieGirl17

Many civilised parts opf the world still do not enforce draconian security.

In Australian domestic airports one does not need a boarding pass to go to the gate, and many countries are the same. International travel is a different ball game, but domestic airports in many places anyone can go in regardless of holding a boarding pass. In fact where I live I will often go to the domestic airport to go to the bar there or the food court as its sometimes close to where I am working. As long as you go through the security screen, anyone can go in.

CascadeBob

CascadeBob avatar

Aug 28, 2011 4:03 AM
Posts:  1,799

19

Justin23 in #18, . . . Nope - you couldn't even e-bay your voucher as they are non-transferrable.

I once had a ticket from Anchorage Alaska to Seattle which I hawked in the Anchorage airport at half price, but that was years ago. No way you could do anything like that nowadays.

TexasChick

TexasChick avatar

Aug 28, 2011 4:15 AM
Posts:  1

20

I have two sons who are about to WWOOF in New Zealand & are trying to find the best deals on airfare from Texas (Dallas) to CA, then Air New Zealand on. What are the best suggestions you guys have that could save them some money? Any special websites or should they go direct to the airline websites? Help!!! :)

GlobeSpots

GlobeSpots avatar

Aug 28, 2011 4:26 AM
Posts:  54

21

Just a bit of numbers: Airlines manage to fill about 70-85% of their seats on yearly avaerage (which is called the "load factor") but some routes might have a load factor close to 90%.

nutraxfornerves

nutraxfornerves avatar

Aug 28, 2011 7:34 AM
Posts:  6,608

22

TexasChick, you will get the best response by posting your question as a new thread. When you make your new post, could you clarify something? Are they just looking to get from Texas to California because they have already bought the ANZ tickets (in which case, what Calif city?) or are they looking to price the whole trip?

Justin23

Justin23 avatar

Aug 30, 2011 4:07 PM
Posts:  1,486

23

Well there was some truth to the story, but industries all change, especially as budget airlines force lower airfares. When airlines could charge a lot more for a seat, any extra last minute bookings were a bonus. With cheaper airfares they need to fill the planes to make a profit.

byterbit

byterbit avatar

Mar 31, 2012 7:01 PM
Posts:  1

24

Yes. I just did it. Fall 2011; I jumped ship in the Windward Islands (drunk doctors on a sailboat, and I got off quick) got a flight to Puerto Rico and wanted to get back to NYC. Walked up and down airport lobby for two hours; $350, $320, etc. Getting late , most flights had left, was about to give up and find a hotel; with 10 minutes left this airline had a few seats open, and the ticket agent sold me one for $120.
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