6 Smart Tips for a Successful Last-Minute Vacation

Procrastinators, rejoice! That vacation you have always dreamed of (but have not gotten around to booking) can be yours anytime soon. Just get your laptop and make sure to be flexible with your dates. These tips will get you to your well-deserved break.

1. Last Minute Travel Means “Short Notice”
Unlike literal ‘last minute’ travel—where you arrive at the airport and purchase a ticket, which can cost you an arm and a leg—last minute travel takes place around 14 days and can save you up to 50 percent in air fare. Many travel agencies, cruise ships and hotels, if they are not fully booked, offer significant discounts two weeks in advance of a scheduled travel.

2. Schedule a Mid-Week Trip
Scheduling your flight on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday can help save more since most travellers tend to book their flights on weekends. Even if you are booking in advance, flying on a weekday can save you hundreds of dollars on your airfare.

3. Make Use of Travel Websites
Websites like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com are hidden stores of delightful discounts for last-minute booking. With just a few clicks, you can choose from an array of options for accommodation, transportation and bundled packages in your destination.

4. Register for Newsletters
The same travel sites, and some airlines, send weekly newsletters that include last-minute deals on flights, hotel accommodation, cruises and more. If you are flexible on your travel dates and destination, you can find cheap travel deals easily through your inbox.

5. Go for Package Deals
Instead of booking your flight and hotel separately, get yourself a travel package. Many travel agencies offer great all-in travel packages. Purchasing a package that pays for everything—flight hotel and car rental—in one shot can save you significant amount of money. When you try to do the math, you often end up paying more if you choose to do it yourself.

6. Check Out the Social Media
Follow the social media accounts of airlines and hotels to keep yourself updated of the latest deals. With the growing popularity of social media, many companies have adopted Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as part of their marketing strategy. All it takes is checking out their Facebook page and you can score a deal so ridiculously cheap that it will make you feel like you stole it.

It takes a little bit more effort when searching for last-minute travels. However, if you keep these tips in mind, you can hold on to your hard-earned money for a much more worthy purpose—perhaps to some enjoyable activity or some exotic or extravagant food experience.

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