Booking a last-minute trip is the best way to save money. There are so many ways you can go about this, and one of them just might be going on short-notice travel! Read on for tips on how to take advantage of this strategy and SAVE!
1. Book flights near departure dates for the best price.
First off, you should know that airlines and other travel companies set their prices based on departure dates. The idea is that as departure dates draw nearer, seating availability becomes rarer.
But there are many cases wherein almost all the seats are available even if it is already days before the departure date. When this happens, airlines could even sell similar seats for different prices.
To take advantage of these cases, you should have tabs on different airlines and their pricing. You could also keep track of flight deals and advertisements to book with an airline with cheaper flights.
Be quick and attentive to such advertisements and travel deals because almost everyone is grabbing them. Within a few hours, you would be surprised by the speed at which people purchase these deals. An easy tip would be finding last-minute flights from smaller airlines.
2. Get a great deal on accommodations if you book last minute.
Airlines and other travel companies have partnerships with hotels, resorts, and the like. Often, part of their partnership is a shared discount for travel fares and accommodation costs. This shared discount scheme makes the most out of the hotel or airline user base.
According to NerdWallet, booking hotels at the last minute will save you about $25 to $35. Although the savings is not that much, you could spend the amount you saved on other things in your itinerary. Instead of paying the same amount at a hotel, you could spend more on food or tourist attractions.
For example, if you will be booking four months in advance for a North American hotel, it would cost you about $233. But securing the same room 15 days before your check-in date would pay only $200.
Curious as to why room rates are cheaper when booked later than earlier? The answer is in room availability. Not all hotels have fully-booked rooms all year round. Some hotels decide it is better to offer discounted room rates than not to have any patrons at all.
3. Membership and credit card discounts upon payment
With the rise of cashless payments, credit cards and other membership cards have partnered with travel companies. You may use popular cards such as Visa and Mastercard to pay for anything, including your last-minute travel. While other airlines offer discounts on their portals and platforms, credit cards also have their promotions to offer.
When paying with your credit card, frequent flier card, or other mileage cards, be observant of the check-out page details. Often, credit cards include their promotions on this page so that you would be motivated to continue using them.
Credit card companies also send newsletters regarding travel discounts. Check these companies’ emails or text messages, and immediately grab the promos you want. However, ensure you have enough credit limit and eligibility to enjoy your desired promotion. It pays to read the promotion details!
4. Package vacations markdown
Aside from the internal promotions run by travel companies, airlines, or cruises, there are also external promotions and discounts. Independent travel agencies run most of these external promotions. Generally, these agencies secure a contract with airlines or cruises by offering their human resources. The travel agency will process the customers’ travel requirements in exchange for discounted deals with airlines or cruises.
Many travel agencies also offer discount packages for group vacations. So if you want to save on travel, you could group up with like-minded people. You could organize a group who wants to go on a last-minute journey to take advantage of such vacation packages.
However, remember that travel agencies act as third-party agents and are not directly affiliated with airlines or cruises. So, you may transact with them at your discretion. Always check the permits and track record of the agency before completing payments.
5. Spontaneous midweek travels are cheaper
One of the most apparent reasons why last-minute travels could be cheaper is that most of these occur unexpectedly—for example, emergency flights for medical or personal reasons.
So if you need to have last-minute travel, you should always aim for a midweek flight. Because weekend and holiday flights cost significantly more, you could get lower prices during weekday flights.
For example, popular destinations such as Paris often have tickets up as high as $2,500 during holidays and vacation months. However, if you book a midweek or an “offseason,” you could get access for as low as $33. You could check out Save Late if you plan a trip to the City of Lights.
Many airlines also offer “flash” seat sales or free upgrades during midweek or regular seasons. Keep an eye out for these sales and grab them quickly. These seat sales and free upgrades tend to go out fast. There might be others like you who are on the hunt for cheaper travel fares wherever they can.
Hot New Travel Trend: Last-Minute Trips
Are you the type of traveler who likes to plan everything? Or do you prefer to leave things a little more loosey-goosey, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise? If you’re in the latter category, then you’ll love last-minute trips – a new travel trend that’s gaining in popularity. With this approach, you can take advantage of deals on flights and hotels that are only available at the last minute. So if you’re feeling spontaneous, why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much fun you can have this way!
Last-minute travels are booming, with many people saving money and time. Here’s why you should take advantage of these opportunities!
What’s more exciting than spontaneity?
What could be more exciting than doing something extraordinary on a whim? Honestly? Nothing beats that. Booking a trip out of the blue and going out of the way gives you an adrenaline rush, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It will give you a boost of confidence that will last a lifetime.
Think about this every once in a while, when was the last time you went on an adventure? Maybe that last-minute travel could help you get out of a boring life!
While spontaneity could be fun and motivating, remember to prioritize your safety. Follow the travel guidelines and be conscious of your surroundings.
Take note of emergency numbers and locations of government buildings. These will be your lifeline when you are stuck in a pinch. Remember that traveling last-minute is more fun when it is enjoyed safely!
You don’t have to stress yourself over the details
Making the necessary bookings and reservations for your trip far ahead of time gives you a huge window to think about the little details. Do you have to bring a book with you? How many changes of clothes do you need to pack? What type of perfume should you carry in your bag?
Things like these don’t have complicated answers but will stress you out. In booking last-minute, you can avoid worrying yourself about these little things.
It’s challenging
Any new destination or situation will challenge you in some way, regardless of your travel plans. But when it comes to having a last-minute trip, the challenge is a whole new degree. It will test you in many ways- mentally, emotionally, and, dare we say, physically.
It counts because you’re rushing around getting everything ready. Keeping something under control and preparing something at the last minute can be highly challenging, but it will be worth it in the end. So if you love the challenge of something exhilarating, this kind of travel perfectly suits you!
Last-minute makes it happen
Since it’s beating the clock, it gives you less time to back out. You don’t have to deal with a back-and-forth between friends to confirm dates or worried parents holding you back. So, going on a last-minute trip will make it happen if you badly want to visit places like Europe, Asia, or Latin America. Keep the spontaneous spirit alive and book your dream destination when you see an incredible last-minute deal or notice that you need some vacation time.
It is more recharging
There are trips on your calendar that are merely there to check off your vacation box. However, sometimes you just need to escape reality for a few days- to take a breather and recharge your soul and mind. You need to get away sometimes, whether you have a lot on your plate at work and know recharging on a beach will improve your productivity, your relatives have kindly offered to watch your kids, or you simply need a mental break from your normal routine. When scrolling through images of places you’d rather be rather than where you’re actually at, perhaps it’s time to do something about it.
Weather and restrictions are more accurate
Currently, both domestic and international guidelines are constantly changing. We don’t know what will happen months from now. But with a last-minute trip, there is only a short window. Thus, you can be more sure that the guidelines you read last week will still apply today.
Then there’s the weather forecast. It’s always a gamble to see what the weather will be like wherever you go. Knowing the weather is essential, especially on an outdoor-oriented trip. Going to the beach would require plenty of sunshine. Meanwhile, skiing on a mountain needs days of snow.
It’s hard to predict what the weather will be like on your booked vacation next year, so you can’t really be sure if you can make the most of it. Meanwhile, going on a last-minute journey assures you that the weather forecast you checked will be fairly accurate.
What to avoid when booking last-minute travels?
Stop posting and bragging online
Sharing online and making content about how you got a discount could get you banned. Most airlines do not want to broadcast to the greater public how you got your discounted ticket. Because these discounts come at their discretion, you should not abuse their goodwill.
If thousands more come looking for discounted fares and start booking last-minute travels, the outcome would not be favorable. Airlines and cruise companies are more likely to switch their prices up. They would charge more for last-minute booking and less for those who purchase seats earlier.
Should you need to post content about your travel for business reasons, make sure to get the approval of the airlines or the cruise company. If they like your video, they could use it as marketing material for their business. In exchange, you could get more freebies and discounts to keep you as their loyal customer.
Bringing excessive luggage
Unnecessary luggage creates delays and more costs on flights. Because aside from the weight of passengers, the pilots must consider the plane’s total weight. Passengers bringing in additional weight in the form of luggage are often charged more by airlines.
So, to save on your travel fare, learn to let go. Bring only your essentials such as toiletries, change of clothes, phones, batteries, and chargers. After your visit and on the return trip, you could bring more souvenirs and memorabilia with you.
Losing Patience
Many travelers make this crucial mistake. They lack patience when transacting with a staff of travel companies. Most people adopt the “the customer is always right” mentality as they try to bully their way into a discount. If you have plans or are tempted to do the same, here’s your reminder. Do not lose patience.
If anything, last-minute booking travel relies on patience to succeed. Losing patience is equivalent to losing money and paying more for your travel fare. So if you want to save money, then learn to calm down and think things through.
While airports, cruise ports, and other terminals have a busy ambiance, you should always try to keep cool. Remember that the discount is worth it if you feel you are exceeding your limit. Also, it is an excellent exercise to increase your patience for bigger things to come in your life.
Acting cocky and rude
Cocky and rude behavior often follows after a traveler loses patience. Maybe you had a flight wherein one passenger angrily demanded a complimentary bottle of water? Or did you have a boat ride with a rude customer berating the cruise operator for not speaking English? You should avoid displaying these behaviors at all costs.
Not only does rude behavior merit a ban from the airline or the travel company, but it might also land you in jail. If you feel like a bad day, learn to pause. Instead of venting it out on the staff of travel companies who stand and assist passengers for more than 8 hours, you could breathe. Take in the air, and then assess the situation as you exhale.
Customers often think they are entitled to act rudely because they are customers, but this isn’t true. Even if the travel company causes an inconvenience, it is not justifiable to treat their staff inhumanely. If you feel like the travel company is treating you with their best, you could coordinate with their crisis hotlines. Also, employ calmness in every situation that you are in.
Book your last-minute travel now!
Are you all set for a last-minute adventure? You could book your flight now on Save Late. Save more on your travel fare. Our company is among the best choices for last-minute travel, with over a hundred deals and over a dozen locations.
Using Save Late, you could also book cheaper room rates at high-quality hotels. Follow their deals to get the cheapest flight tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and tour itineraries.
