Any advice on ways to get a really great last-minute deal on a flight to Europe? I'm not a procrastinator; I plan my "planned" trips ahead of time. I'm just wondering how feasible it would be to do an impulsive, spur-of-the-moment trip without breaking the bank. I know I can find out a lot by researching this further, which I plan to do when I get home from work tonight. But since I'm stuck at work now, fantasizing about where I'd rather be, I thought I'd solicit some preliminary advice.

Ideally, I'd love to get a fantastic fare from L.A. to Milan to spend an extended Labor Day weekend in northern Italy, but my dates and destination are flexible. I'll go just about anywhere a $400 fare will get me. What's the best strategy for taking advantage of the last-minute fares a la Priceline etc.?

I don't think $400 is going to get you over the water anywhere around Labor Day (US). Hotwire might be able to get you to London for under $600, then EasyJet or some such to Italy. Nothing that cheap reported on Biddingfortravel, either.

Otherwise, try site59.com for last minute deals, Yahoo or Travelocity fare watchers, or "Dream Maps" on Travelocity - especially useful if you want to go somewhere - anywhere - for a set maximum amount.

Use the search features extensively at http://www.itasoftware.com .

Also consider Hotwire for LAX to Brussels, with various search parameters. In my experience, BRU seems to be a cheaper destination than many on certain dates.

We bought tickets on a Friday and left the following Tuesday this past June. Here is the thread telling what I discovered.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

However, I have to say we still paid more than we have ever paid for a European ticket. Prices were very, very high this summer becasue of the high demand and lack of seats. Whether things will improve over LaborDay i don't know.

Sorry. I put in the wrong link. Try this one.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34504133

Also try travelzoo.com. They search the web for bargains and list the top 20 every week.

Karen

www.cheapfares.com was a bargain fare search engine exclusively in the UK, now
works in the USA as well

Thanks to all of you for the tips -- useful now, and for future reference.

Elaine: Remember me? It's Mike, you met me and Michelle for dinner in Rome in Sept. 2001.... Ciao!

If you are talking about soon it will be the luck of the draw. I have been waiting for an October sale for 5 months now. I'm thinking it ain't gonna happen. The sale has already happened from NOv.-March and it was a doozy.

I agree, Gretchen, the November thru March fares were great. I'm watching late April through the middle of May (SF to Rome) like a hawk and am ready to pounce.