Last Minute or Distressed Inventory Fares are discounted airline tickets released when a flight is close to departure and still has unsold seats. Airlines use these fares to maximize seat occupancy and recover revenue from inventory that would otherwise go unused. These fares are highly dynamic and can appear within 24 to 72 hours before a flight takes off.

In simple terms, they’re time sensitive flight deals that allow both travelers and travel agents to access lower fares on routes where the airline needs to fill remaining seats quickly.

These fares are distributed through multiple channels such as:

• GDS (Global Distribution Systems) like Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport
• Direct Airline APIs for connected agencies and booking engines
• NDC (New Distribution Capability) links for real time dynamic pricing

For B2B travel portals, these fares are a major opportunity to offer better prices, increase conversions and stay competitive in a price sensitive market.

How Travel Agents Get These Fares

Travel agents access last minute or distressed inventory fares through several sources:

1. GDS Systems: Agents using Amadeus, Sabre or Travelport can view and book discounted seats as soon as airlines release them.
2. Direct Airline APIs or NDC: Travel agencies integrated directly with airlines can pull special last minute fares in real time.
3. Consolidators: Many consolidators receive private or bulk fare allocations that include distressed seat options not visible to the public.
4. AI Powered Fare Tools: Modern travel tech systems use AI to identify sudden fare drops and alert agents instantly.

By leveraging these channels, agents can provide cost effective travel options while increasing their own booking margins.

Who Benefits from These Fares

• Travelers: Get affordable, last minute flight deals and flexible booking options.
• Travel Agents & OTAs: Gain access to dynamic, competitive fares that attract new customers.
• Airlines: Improve seat occupancy rates and revenue recovery on low selling flights.
• B2B Platforms: Strengthen client relationships with better deals and enhanced fare coverage.

At Travel Terminus, we’ve integrated a Discounted Fares Module that allows agents to access these special fares directly through their GDS system. If you’d like to learn how it works or explore your fare options, schedule a demo with our team today.