best websites for booking international seats urgently - as in got to fly NOW!

[RSD]

I may have a need to suddenly drop everything at a moment's notice in the near future and book an international flight to Europe on probably whatever is going to get me there the fastest from that very moment - are some websites better than others for this? Choice of airline name/brand/alliance won't matter in this case - if the fastest happens to be QF or another Oneworld carrier well that's a bonus but...

If anyone has any other useful tips for these sorts of suddenly booked/barely planned trips I would appreciate them too!

 

[TheInsider]

For GDS type airlines, generally this would need to be done on the phone so they can issue the ticket straight away.
LCC can do it instantly as they do not generate a e-ticket.

Where from/to?

 

[Andyzx]

I have had to do this last year and was frustrated by a number of the .com.au websites not being able to book flights today and tomorrow (in some cases the day after). I ended up going to the airline website and booking there.

I assume that you know where you will go, try a few website for the day or day +1 and see what response you get. As above suggest that you have a phone number of a local travel agent as a backup.

 

[RSD]

Where from/to?

If it's needed it will be from Perth (which is going to restrict options somewhat), the destination in Europe will only be known on the day unfortunately.

 

[alieninperth]

When I had to do this last year I found that most of the websites gave a good spread of flights but to make sure that everything went smoothly, I then went direct to the airline and booked there. Ticket issued just over 24hrs before the flight.

 

[The Rok]

This sounds exciting. Care to tell us why?

 

[juddles]

I may have a need to suddenly drop everything at a moment's notice......!

Not fair being so mysterious.

 

[smit0847]

Is that you Bond?

 

[Taezar]

Try skyscanner. Did a search for tomorrow from BNE to CDG and got a page of options
Www.skyscanner.com.au
I find these guys are pretty good.

 

[UP4014]

Surely if you know you have to drop everything to travel then is it not a sudden decision and you already know it?

Personally, I would book direct with an airline for a sudden trip I already knew about. :mrgreen:

 

[Andyc]

My favourite site for researching prices is Matrix - ITA Software

Once you find your flight(s), book direct with the airline.

 

[Taezar]

I used to swear by matrix itasoftware but since they bought out by google I don't find them cheaper or better selection at all. My 5c.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I did something similar a year or so ago with QF. Called sales from SIN at 2:30pm, and asked them for the 8pm-ish flights to SYD. I ended up taking the 744 to MEL for a connection, but it was as simple as giving them my FF number, the credit card details, and they gave me the PRN within a few mins. So off I went flying to AU just 5.5 hours later.

 

[RSD]

A couple of the replies have mentioned favourite sites for researching prices, but in this case price won't really enter into it, it's going to be all about speed getting from Perth to wherever in Europe as fast as possible. Unfortunately options out of Perth are limited which doesn't help :-(

 

[Fantic125]

Maybe PM Travelguru from the forum here for some advice?

(I don't know TG personally, but travel related advice he has provided on the forum has seemed pretty sound.)

 

[serfty]

I suggest prior research in that case.

Know what your options are, when they depart and keep an eye on current loadings.

Have this knowledge available and update it daily.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[markis10]

I would probably use OAG to give you an idea of valid options taking into account MCTs then book direct once you have the best option.

OAG Flights / Online / Products & Services / Home - OAG Traveler - Official Airline Guides, Flight Schedules Flight Tools for Business Travellers

 

[alieninperth]

with price not being an issue, timetable is all. In that instance I would look at who is the next departure and book directly. From memory most full service carriers leave late morning or mid(ish) avo to connect to an evening flight in asia to EU. the exception being Emirates who have a night departure (10:45 last time I saw).

FWIW I would take the afternoon departure as it allows a shorter stopover if via SIN.

 

[jetlagger]

I may have a need to suddenly drop everything at a moment's notice in the near future and book an international flight to Europe on probably whatever is going to get me there the fastest from that very moment - are some websites better than others for this? Choice of airline name/brand/alliance won't matter in this case - if the fastest happens to be QF or another Oneworld carrier well that's a bonus but...

If anyone has any other useful tips for these sorts of suddenly booked/barely planned trips I would appreciate them too!

Interesting scenario... Secret Agent?

 

[RSD]

Interesting scenario... Secret Agent?

Ah no - most of my friends would more likely equate me with Mr Bean than Mr Bond!