Finding the lowest prices on airfare and
accommodations at the last minute is tough, but possible. Hotels,
airlines, and even cruise liners want to fill all empty rooms and
available seats. To do so, they often slash pricing significantly, all
in the name of filling up reservations. To find these last minute travel
deals, you’ll need to get creative.
The Internet Is Your Guide
You’ll find the best savings options listed online. Just remember to act fast. Most deals listed online, including airline deals, sell out quickly. Travel-related sites are the best places to find a deal because they connect with hotels, resorts, and car rental companies to keep availability up to date. Bookmark the site and then use an add-on to your browser (like Page Monitor for Google Chrome) to monitor changes on the site as they occur. This way, you know when deals become available.Use Apps to Check Out Deals
For those who have a smartphone, let apps do the work for you. For example, Hotel Tonight is an app available for Android and iPhone users. It helps users to find last minute hotel deals easily. If you are making plans on the go, this is an excellent tool to have.
Be as Flexible as Possible
If you need a deal to get away this weekend, try to be as flexible as possible with times. You’ll find the best deals by traveling during the off-hours. According to ABCNews.com, the best days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and sometimes on Saturdays. The reason for this is simply because most people want to fly out on Friday nights and return Sunday nights. You’ll save more money if you schedule your trip during the week instead.Shopping for airline tickets on Tuesdays (very early in the day) is the ideal time to find a deal. That’s because airlines often launch three-day deals in the middle of the night on Tuesdays, prior to the weekend rush.
Be a Member
Are you a hotel rewards member? If you travel even just one or two times a year, you’ll qualify for deals. You can call your favorite hotel chain, inquire about a room, and get the lowest price available. Memberships don’t have to cost anything, either. Sign up for these now so that when you need them, they are available.Stay Informed
Sign up for the travel site’s email alerts to find out when something opens up. Act quickly when deals become available. Also sign up for email lists, encourages AskMen.com. Sites like TravelZoo.com provide some great opportunities, but only for those who sign up to get the information. This type of email list is ideal because it sends off a notification to you whenever an offer for a last minute airline deal or hotel stay becomes available.The bottom line:
- Use the Internet to find deals.
- Remember, deals become available throughout the day and night, often more than once.
- Be as flexible as possible when booking a trip.