You have to ask to receive in this situation. Either ask the airline about a distressed passenger rate or if he's too shy to do that a quick perusal of hotwire online or priceline can save him probably half.

I'm 34 and even at this age. I won't sleep in the airport unless its absolutely necessary. Sure...you'll feel good until around 1am. Then you'll start waking up every hour and thinking how cheap that $50 room sounds at about 2am :-)