10 Tips for Booking Cheap Last Minute Vacations
Sell off vacations or seat sales are a great way to save on your next vacation however, there are a few things you should keep in mind when looking to book last minute travel.
Here are 10 Tips that will help you save money the next time you book a vacation.
1.
Be Flexible.
The more flexibility you have means more options will be available to you.
You can't expect that the exact resort and date you want will be on sale.
2.
Be prepared to book immediately.
Last minute vacation packages are often limited in space and can sell-out very quickly.
Also, the price can fluctuate both ways and may be more expensive when you get around to booking.
3.
Use a travel agent.
A certified travel agent has the ability to offer even greater savings on top of already discounted travel.
4.
Ask about upgrades.
More often than not, superior rooms, oceanfront rooms, and villas are also on sale.
Standard rooms are usually what gets published as a lead-in price but because of discounting, sometimes the cost to upgrade is minimal.
5.
Lower graded hotels often seem the cheapest but the true savings are with the higher end resorts.
Use those savings to treat yourself to a hotel or destination that is normally out of your budget.
6.
Don't consider last minute travel for high demand dates (March Break, Xmas, Spring Break) the selection and availability will be minimal at best and what is available won't be discounted.
7.
Do your homework.
Not every package, tour, cruise, or destination goes up on sale.
Your vacation may end up selling out on you without even being reduced at all.
Depending on the destination and airline, the price could even go up the longer you wait.
8.
Shop around, price-match.
Discounts usually come down from the Airlines and Tour Operators to the Travel Agency but it is up to the agent to decide how much of that gets passed on to you.
9.
Make sure all your travel documents are up to date before you book.
We are talking last minute here, there won't be time to get passports / visas etc.
and these packages are non-refundable.
10.
E-newsletters are a good way to see what's out there but calling a travel agent gives you real time pricing, advice on hotels/destinations, and can do the work to find the best vacation for your needs.
Here are 10 Tips that will help you save money the next time you book a vacation.
1.
Be Flexible.
The more flexibility you have means more options will be available to you.
You can't expect that the exact resort and date you want will be on sale.
2.
Be prepared to book immediately.
Last minute vacation packages are often limited in space and can sell-out very quickly.
Also, the price can fluctuate both ways and may be more expensive when you get around to booking.
3.
Use a travel agent.
A certified travel agent has the ability to offer even greater savings on top of already discounted travel.
4.
Ask about upgrades.
More often than not, superior rooms, oceanfront rooms, and villas are also on sale.
Standard rooms are usually what gets published as a lead-in price but because of discounting, sometimes the cost to upgrade is minimal.
5.
Lower graded hotels often seem the cheapest but the true savings are with the higher end resorts.
Use those savings to treat yourself to a hotel or destination that is normally out of your budget.
6.
Don't consider last minute travel for high demand dates (March Break, Xmas, Spring Break) the selection and availability will be minimal at best and what is available won't be discounted.
7.
Do your homework.
Not every package, tour, cruise, or destination goes up on sale.
Your vacation may end up selling out on you without even being reduced at all.
Depending on the destination and airline, the price could even go up the longer you wait.
8.
Shop around, price-match.
Discounts usually come down from the Airlines and Tour Operators to the Travel Agency but it is up to the agent to decide how much of that gets passed on to you.
9.
Make sure all your travel documents are up to date before you book.
We are talking last minute here, there won't be time to get passports / visas etc.
and these packages are non-refundable.
10.
E-newsletters are a good way to see what's out there but calling a travel agent gives you real time pricing, advice on hotels/destinations, and can do the work to find the best vacation for your needs.
Source...