The listed price on an empty leg isn't always the final price. Premiere Flight's bidding feature lets you name your number - and operators can accept, counter, or decline.
Most people treat the listed price on an empty leg as fixed. It isn't. Operators set an asking price, but they're often open to negotiation - especially as the departure date approaches and the leg remains unsold. Premiere Flight's bidding feature makes this negotiation structured and frictionless.
Here's how it works: on any available leg listing, you can place a bid below the listed price. The operator receives your offer and can accept it outright, decline it, or respond with a counter-offer. The entire process typically resolves within a few hours, and sometimes within minutes.
When should you bid rather than book at the listed price? There are two scenarios where bidding makes particular sense. The first is when a leg has been listed for more than 48 hours without being taken - a signal that the operator may be open to softening the price. The second is when a leg is departing in under 72 hours: operators strongly prefer a below-asking sale to an empty aircraft.
How much should you bid? There's no universal rule, but a bid of 10-20% below the listed price is generally taken seriously. Going lower than that risks being dismissed outright, especially for legs that have only just been listed. A counter-offer from the operator is a good sign - it means they're engaged, and a deal is likely.
Be ready to move. If your bid is accepted, payment is expected promptly. Operators won't hold an aircraft on an accepted bid indefinitely. Have your payment method and passenger details ready before you submit an offer.
Bidding isn't just for bargain hunters. It's also useful when the listed price is almost right but slightly above your budget. A respectful offer often meets the operator halfway - and both parties end up better off than they would have been with a missed transaction.
