Budget Travel - Taboo Subject-Will this work?

Greetings,
Do you think this can be successful?
I pack my bags, grab my passport, go YVR(Vancouver) airport with the intention of going to Los Angeles on a cheap flight with ANY aircarrier. Someone cancels their flight, there is an empty seat. I ask at the desk to be put on a waitlist. The person at the desk says " That will be $500 plus taxes"

I could try negotiation. "No...I will offer $250 no taxes"
Lol
Do you think this will work or is that flight leavin without me?
Thanks

Do you think this will work or is that flight leavin without me?That flight is leavin' without you.

The frontline employee at the airport doesn't usually have the authority to sell you a ticket at any price you offer. Not to mention, under your strategy, how would you get home? Standby isn't always available, and usually goes for a premium, not discount.

If you want to negotiate or bid on airfare, try Priceline.com.

Edit: Welcome to Flyertalk, Charger440! Stick around & read the forums, there are lots of strategies for getting bargains here.

Welcome to FT,

I have never heard of something like that working. The closest thing I can think of is AirTran's X-Fares that offer cheap standby to young people.

Other then that buying a ticket at the airport is almost always the most expensive way to go.

Welcome to flyertalk Charger440 !

Nice idea, and while it makes sense to try to get something for an empty seat going out, airlines don't do it because then lots of people would just show up and try this strategy and they would sell fewer regular tickets.

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