Emergency Flights: Bargain airfares for emergency travel

Emergency Travel Airfares
Find cheapest emergency fares

Many situations can require last-minute emergency flights, such as an urgent business development or the health of a family member.

Did you know that you can find discounted, last-minute flights that are significantly lower than most emergency airfares?

This page gives you an easy seven-step way to lower your cost on emergency fares—even if you have to travel today.

And because these discount airfares are not restricted to bereavement and other emergency situations, you won't need to submit information to the airline.

Seven steps to significant savings

First, research available on-line airfares. If you are traveling because of the imminent death or death of a relative, we assume you’ve also checked several airlines to find out the cost of their bereavement flights.
Be sure to include Hotwire.com in your research because you will probably find that Hotwire offers significantly lower prices. To find out if this is the case, here’s how to use Hotwire.

Below-published fares, even last minute. Book a cheap flight now! (opens in new window)
Below-published fares, even last minute. Book a cheap flight now! (opens in same window)

Enter your preferred dates and airports to run a search. Hotwire will list regular fares with specific flight times which are often lower than fares on other sites. BUT, for maximum savings, check out Hotwire's heavily discounted fares for maximum savings:
- Hotwire Limited Rate fares (when available) that depart anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 10 p.m., with arrival the same day.
  
  If a departure will be after 10 p.m. for a destination in North America, Hotwire warns you before you decide to book.
  
  You'll also fly nonstop or with just one connection for destinations in Canada or the U.S., unless Hotwire tells you otherwise prior to booking. International travel may involve more than one connection.
  
  Connecting times for U.S. or Canadian travel will be 3 hours or less—80% are under 90 minutes.
  
  If traveling today, Hotwire won’t book you on a flight earlier than
  - 5 1/2 hours for Canada and the U.S.
  - 7 1/2 hours for international destinations
  from the time you completed your booking.
  
  You'll fly on well-known airlines, such as American, United, or British Airways.
If Hotwire Limited Rate fares are sold out, Hotwire may say low fares may be available for other dates or airports.

Also, you can use the "Flexible Date Search" link on the Hotwire page.
Make your final decision and pay. Once you authorize your credit card payment, your booking becomes non refundable and, if you've booked a Hotwire Limited Rate, no changes are permitted.
Print out your itinerary AND take it with you to the airport. If you don’t have a printer, write out all flight numbers, times, and other booking information.
Call your airline to find out the suggested check-in times and to choose a seat. Same-day seat assignments are handled at the airport.

Note that there are two time limits—one for the check-in counter and another for the departure gate. The latter varies by airline. If you’re not at the gate on time—usually 10 to 30 minutes prior—your seat may be given to a standby passenger, even though you have a boarding pass.
TIP: Most—but not all—airlines allow you to stand by for earlier flights on the same day as your reservation. If your itinerary requires a flight connection, standing by sometimes enables you to grab a nonstop flight.

Wishing you well in your urgent situation.

Below-published fares, even last minute. Book a cheap flight now! (opens in new window)
Below-published fares, even last minute. Book a cheap flight now! (opens in same window)

Hotwire is part of the same financially sound company that owns Expedia.com and Hotels.com.