Are you feeling spontaneous and looking for a change of scenery? A last-minute vacation may be the answer. It’s surprisingly easy to book a quick, last-minute flight – if you’re willing to be flexible with the date and the destination.
In fact, booking a last-minute vacation may actually save you money. There are plenty of ways to score an amazing deal on a last-minute flight for the fraction of the price.
So, if you’re looking for tips on how to book a last-minute vacation, we’ve got you covered – here’s everything you need to know.
What Destinations Are Best to Book on a Whim?
When you book a last-minute vacation, you must be flexible – especially with the destination. When it comes to getting a great last-minute deal, you cannot have a particular destination or resort in mind. If you’re open to the possibility of going anywhere (be it somewhere hot, cold, or anywhere in between) you’ll be more likely to find an affordable last-minute vacation.
When Is the Best Time to Book?
It’s also important to be flexible with the date you fly out. Unfortunately, if you have a specific date in mind, it’s probably unlikely that you’ll score a great deal.
One rule of thumb is to book within the off-season. According to USA Today, the off-season is defined by airlines as a period of time when people travel less. For instance, if you’re thinking of traveling overseas, US Airlines low season for cheaper international airfare is from mid-January through the end of February.
You’ll also want to avoid weekend departures – the busiest day to fly out is Sunday. Wednesday is your best bet for cheaper airfare. Also, if your departure is during the weekday you’ll get to enjoy the perks of a less crowded airport and you’re more likely to get a better deal on a hotel and car rental.
Here’s How to Book a Last-Minute Holiday
Thanks to the Internet, booking a last-minute holiday is easier than ever before – especially with the many flight comparison sites you can turn to online. So, how exactly can you make sure you’re getting the best last-minute deal? Here are a few tips that will help you the next time you get the travel bug.
Always check comparison sites
From the moment you decide you want to go on a trip you should start searching online. Always spend time checking sites to compare prices. Most comparison sites will have the option to search for last minute vacations from cruises to beach vacations to European destinations.
Call a travel agent
Yes, travel agents still exist, and they can be a great resource if you’re looking for a last-minute vacation deal. Sometimes they will let you know about special deals going on that the general public doesn’t have access to.
Look for discount codes
When booking a last-minute vacation, especially if you’re flexible with destination, try searching for discount codes – sites such as Groupon and Vouchercloud usually have last-minute travel offers for a steal.
Sign up for price alerts
One of the best ways to discover last-minute flight deals is to sign up for airline newsletters – you’ll get price alerts right to your phone so that you’ll never miss out on last-minute travel offers.
Booking a last-minute vacation doesn’t mean that you should break the bank – it is possible to score an amazing deal if you’re willing to be flexible about things like dates, airlines, and ports of entry. When you find that perfect deal, don’t wait because last-minute deals get snatched up fast.