Travel Tips for Last Minute Vacation Deals
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If you waited too long and need to make last-minute travel plans, don’t despair. The myths about paying through the nose for last minute travel are just not true. In fact, being flexible and booking later may actually save you more than making your reservations in advance.
There is fierce competition among travel websites to get noticed in cyberspace. Thankfully, travelers have more options than ever in getting where they need to go for the best price. Last minute travel is a high-risk challenge, but done right can produce a steal beyond compare. But, there are a few things to consider to swing the last minute travel odds in your favor. Here are the top 10 tips to finding spectacular last minute travel deals.
1. Shop Around.
This one is first because it is most important. Don’t settle for the first last minute travel deal you see. There are tons of airlines and travel sites competing for your money, so work it to your advantage. Visit several travel and airline websites, and you could be amazed at how much the prices differ. Time is of the essence, and these companies need warm bodies to fill their last minute travel seats, rooms, cars, or cruises.
2. Be Flexible About Departure Times.
It may not be convenient, but if you are willing to fly the day before after your target date, the savings can be significant. Airlines make the most money from travelers that are in a tight spot with fewer options. Try not to make it so easy on them. Also, look at late night and very early morning flights when airports are less crowded. A little flexibility can mean more cash in your pocket and smoother travel.
3. Call the Airlines Directly.
Airlines don’t offer private sales on their websites only. Remember telephone customer service? Saving the best fares for themselves to build brand recognition and loyalty with travelers is a must in the last minute travel business. If you can’t find the last minute travel you’re looking for elsewhere, it’s worth a phone call. Plus, if a flight is half empty and the airline stands to lose money or break even on that route, many airlines will cut prices to entice passengers and protect profitability.
4. Check Out Travel Alerts.
Last minute travel prices can vary for the same flights. Compare price quotes and sign up for travel alerts. Keep a running list of what fares were offered by which site. Use the alerts as another comparison gauge, so when you find an airfare that fits your budget, click that “Buy” button and be on your way.
5. Call Some Travel Agents.
Travel booking online has put the squeeze on travel agents. They can still score major deals on last minute travel through their connections and pass the savings on to you. Call several in your area and take notes on their fares and fees. You may get lucky and find an agent that is willing to give you a great deal on a last minute travel ticket to win your future business.
6. Subscribe to Last-Minute Travel Newsletters.
If you frequently need to make last minute travel plans, sign up for online last minute travel newsletters. These outfits comb the web for last minute travel deals so that they get a percentage of the sale.
However, you may want to set up a separate email address just for this purpose so that your inbox doesn’t fill up with the inevitable spam-fest that’s sure to follow.
7. Look for Travel Packages.
It can be cheaper to buy an airfare and hotel package than it would be to buy the last minute travel airfare alone. That is, you can get both for less than what it would cost for just the flight under some circumstances. This may be contrary to what most folks think is possible, but it does happen. For best results, travel with a companion since many of these hotel packages are based on double occupancy.
8. Check Airline Websites on Saturday Mornings.
Strictly a matter of chance, but occasionally an airfare analyst will make a “mistake” (accidentally or on purpose to shaft the competition) at the end of the week, and offer last minute travel at an insanely low price. There are a lot of conflicting theories about why this happens, but if you are in the right place at the right time, it can lead to huge last minute travel savings for you.
9. Fly in the Middle of the Week if Possible.
If your last minute travel plans allow, try to leave mid-week and arrive back home mid-week. Of course weekends will be more expensive than leaving and arriving on weekdays. You’ve known this for awhile, so don’t be surprised if you find you save up to 25% by adjusting your departure and arrivals to the weekdays.
10. Look for a Nearby Airport.
If you’re flying into a major metropolitan area, you can sometimes save a little cash by flying to a less popular airport that is in the same region. For example, if you’re flying into Chicago, try arriving at Midway airport instead of O’Hare. For New York City, instead of JFK or LaGuardia, think about Newark airport as an alternative. In some cases, arriving at a nearby airport may actually save you travel time in addition to saving money on last minute travel.
Don’t let myths about expense deter you from doing some last-minute travel legwork. If you think the first prices you find are the best, you could be fooling yourself. That deal will probably be there in another thirty minutes, so take the time and make sure you’ve found the lowest price before you buy anything.