Pick up and go cheaply
A friend told me about LastMinuteTravel.com, a Web site that aims to be a "one-stop superstore for the time-sensitive, deal-seeking traveler." They make reservations for air tickets, rental cars and hotels. I searched a few airfares and found very reasonable prices for travel dates hours to days in advance.
For instance, if I need to go to Portland, OR next weekend flying out Fri and returning Sun I could buy a fare from LAX starting at $369.61. Not bad considering $300 to $400 is the usual price I pay to fly to Portland, but the times aren't great. With a 6:05 AM departure I'll need to drink regular, not decaf. If I flew today, though, that fare only jumps to $461.60. Not bad at all. I mean, that's actually doable. Most of the time when you search for a flight just hours in advance you are talking four digits, minimum. If you do buy day-of remember to give yourself extra time before your flight. No doubt the TSA will "randomly" select you for extra screening.
Fares to NYC were very decent. I could zip off to the Big Apple later today for $462.60 (JFK) or go next weekend for $314.20 (EWR). Badda-boom badda-bing! You can also search by top destinations, deals ($50/nt at the Boulder Station Hotel in Vegas??), or packages.
