I was going to suggest priceline.com also – we’ve used it a couple times in the last year and have generally paid at least 50% off retail. You can restrict your bid to a subsection of the city, and airport-vicinity is generally one of their options, so you won’t spend much if anything on taxis. Worth a try if you’ve already saved $50 more than expected, you might actually get a room for that much.
[QUOTE=Chief Pedant]
I am wondering if most of the posters here are missing Monstro’s key point that she is looking into spending the nite on the public side of security. This is an entirely different proposition than spending the nite at an airport gate. While it might be doable at an airport like MCO, for most airports it’s a non-starter, IMHO.
[/QUOTE]
No, spending the night on the public side of security is not a non-starter in most airports. It’s really not that big a deal, honestly. People do it all the time because they get bumped or they have horrible connections or what have you. Or they get to the airport the evening before because their flight leaves at an ungodly hour. Shrug.
[QUOTE=fifty-six]
Everyone in my town does it all the time.
The last flight from Anchorage to Homer is around 9pm. Any reasonably priced ticket will get you into anchorage after that time, and the first flight leaves around 5am.
I have spent many uncomfortable cold nights in that airport. And there is a whole town of people that will be able to sympathize with your unfortunate sleeping arrangements when you get back…
[/QUOTE]
56,
Is this the new or old terminal? Just collecting information in case I get stuck there again.
[QUOTE=SpazCat]
It is. I did it last year. I don’t know if I’d call those benches “comfortable” though.
[/QUOTE]
Better than hard, plastic benches or those molded seats with arms that you can only sit up in.
I’ve found that there’s a class element. I am not bothered by security if I am dressed like a business traveler (shined shoes, tailored clothes, etc.).
I’ve done it plenty. It’s not fun, but I thought it was worth it. $100 is not a fortune, but it’s still something I’d be willing to trade a night on a concrete floor for. It’s worth it to hunt around for the good places to sleep. Chances are you won’t be the only one doing it.
Have you checked out if there are any cheap youth hostels in Miami? Also, check out onebag.com for some packing tips. A carry on should be more than enough for a week.