Last Minute Travel Deals and things to Consider
Looking for a last minute travel deal? Here’s a series of ways to get the most out of your money when it comes to finding a vacation package, an airfare deal, discount cruise, or any last minute travel bargain.
Flexibility is the key on any last minute travel deal so let’s start there. If you decide you want to go to a specific place before shopping for a travel bargain it can be tough. As an example let’s pick on New York City. Just last fall a friend had to go to New York on business and couldn’t find a room anywhere. Why? It was the grand finale of fashion week. Despite the fact that they are far from a fashionista they still were unable to find a decent hotel at a near reasonable rate let alone at a discount. It simply was impossible. Had they moved their trip two days later hotel deals were available throughout the city. Flexibility comes in two flavors when you travel and where you travel.
That flexibility begins with being open to a variety of locations and vacation destinations or being flexible with travel dates. This will open your options up to the greatest number of possibilities for last minute travel deals.
So suddenly the world can be wide open and it can be a little over whelming so here’s a few things to ask yourself before looking for that last minute travel deal.
- What type of trip would you like to take
- Who will you be traveling with
- An Old Love or a New Adventure
- How Last Minute is too last minute to get a great deal
Going a little deeper into each of these questions is probably well worthwhile. So what type of last minute trip do you want to take? The answer to that can open up a world of possibilities but before considering finding a discount cruise make sure that you didn’t have your heart set on big city chic shopping and theater because even the best beach vacations have a hard time delivering on that. Although if you plan correctly like sailing out of Miami and either fly in a night before because there was an amazing airfare you might be able to blend to two. Otherwise all bets are off.
So is it a quiet romantic getaway, exploring a new city, taking a cruise even if its from one place to another then start looking. Sure there is the rare soul who can simply hunt for a bargain and take the leap of faith.
Now that you’ve decided whether or not the last minute travel bargain you’ve been dreaming of is a certain part of the world, country or even region now it’s time to think about who if anyone will be joining you on your vacation. After all dragging Nanna through the mountains of Colorado might be fine then again it might not.
Other things to consider are how active you plan on being can your travel partner. Are the or do they like to slog through busy city streets, can they take on the ski slopes an be able to walk the next day. Are they prone to being sea sick (yes i know everyone can get sea sick if the circumstances are right) Are they afraid to fly? Sounds silly but I once had a close friends wife digging her nails into my are all the way from the north east down to very near the equator all because she was afraid to fly. No cheap flights to Paris are worth the hours of suffering and anxiety of someone who is afraid.
Other things to consider when planning the last minute trip is will you be driving, flying, taking the train. How long are you willing to sit during a single leg of your trip. If flying are you willing to use multiple airlines to save money? If you go that route don’t forget to look into the effect that will have yon your checked baggage.
Now when it comes to last minute cruise deals, discount airfare or amazing hotel rates and I mention an old love or a new adventure I’m not actually referring to people but to places. So in deciding where you want to go? Simply put some where you know and love or somewhere new? Cruises often offer a nice mix of the two as do train trips.
Which brings to brings us to the final point. When looking for a last minute travel deal how last minute is too last minute. There is no doubt that you can get the most for your money if you are one of the truly brave and downright freakishly flexible. Not that any of it is a bad thing. A quick look around the major travel sites will offer a variety of options and places but don’t over look the airlines own web sites for last minute weekend get away’s, bundled vacation packages, free upgrades and amenities at resorts, ship board credits if cruising. If air fare is involved last minute flight can be found during the weekends on most major carriers but are they somewhere you really want to go? Say you’re in the mood fo soe fun in the sun and found a great flight to Fort Lauderdale but you aren’t sure if you want hit the beach or take a cruise. Keep in mind the time of year, buy the plane ticket and decide a week or two before departing of there is a discount cruise that is an outstanding deal or if you are simple going to head to beach.
With a bit of research, a sense of adventure and your pass port in hand I have no doubt that in no time flat you’ll be taking twice as many trips just because you’re a much smarter shopper.
Looking for more idea’s for last minute travel deals? Here are a few additional articles
Loyalty Programs, Discount Dining, Unbundling the perfect vacation for big savings,
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