Prohibitively High Last-Minute Flight Prices

Summary

Travelers face severe frustration and financial strain due to the sharp increase in last-minute flight prices, making spontaneous travel unaffordable. This is especially painful for those planning trips to China, where last-minute deals have become rare and prices have skyrocketed, often multiple times the cost from just a few years ago. The lack of affordable options forces travelers to either pay exorbitant fares or abandon their plans, disrupting spontaneity and causing significant budget stress.