RISMedia
  • News
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • Events
  • Power Broker
  • Newsmakers
  • More
    • Publications
    • Education
No Result
View All Result
  • Agents
  • Brokers
  • Teams
  • Marketing
  • Coaching
  • Technology
  • More
    • Headliners New
    • Luxury
    • Best Practices
    • Consumer
    • National
    • Our Editors
Join Premier
Sign In
RISMedia
  • News
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • Events
  • Power Broker
  • Newsmakers
  • More
    • Publications
    • Education
No Result
View All Result
RISMedia
No Result
View All Result

How to Book Last-Minute Travel Plans on the Cheap

Home Best Practices
By Sabah Karimi
August 20, 2016
Reading Time: 4 mins read
How to Book Last-Minute Travel Plans on the Cheap

Beautiful young couple is texting together

(TNS)–If you’re a procrastinator by nature or like the thrill of finding a last-minute travel deal, there are some things you can do to make sure you really are paying the lowest possible price. Since you haven’t given yourself much time to compare rates across a few weeks in a given season, or keep tabs on prices with a smartphone app that delivers price alerts, you’ll need to explore other ways to snag a great deal on that weekend getaway or last-minute retreat. Here are some of your best bets for booking last-minute travel on the cheap.

Go Mobile
You might be used to making travel plans and reservations on your desktop computer, but doing so means you could be paying more than you need to for those last-minute reservations.

“The best way to secure those last-minute deals is through mobile websites, mobile apps and by calling in,” says Mahesh Chaddah, co-founder of hotel reservations website Reservations.com. He recommended making full use of apps because “many hotels offer limited discount rates to mobile users only.”

Shop Alternate Dates and Airports 
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, you need to use that to your full advantage, says Keith Nowak, director of communications at Travelocity. He said last-minute rates typically are higher. He recommended shopping for similar trips within a few days of your original trip dates so you can take advantage of lower prices, secret offers or bargain fares.

The Travelocity Bargain Fare, for example, gives you pricing options. The box pops up when you open your search up to connections where you can shop fares from more origination airports. The option might not pop up with every search, but when it does, you can save up to 25 percent or more as a result. If you can shift your trip dates, you can knock down those prices even further.

Check Groupon Getaways
If you already shop Groupon for local deals or even merchandise, don’t overlook the option of booking travel on the cheap as well. Since you need to make a reservation at the last minute, you might be able to find a great deal that is expiring soon as Groupon works to clear its inventory of deals with travel dates that will be passing soon.

You can use the search feature or browse some of the top packages by interest and destination. For example, a four-night trip to the Bahamas with an all-inclusive package at Memories Grand Bahama Beach and Casino Resort was only valid for bookings made by Aug. 12. Groupon dropped the price from $699 to $549.

Book Flights Earlier in the Week
If you’ve been waiting for the weekend to start your search for those flight deals, or have Friday off from work to take care of personal errands, don’t plan on booking your last-minute travel package just yet. To save the most money, you should search for flights early in the week — preferably a Monday or Tuesday morning, said Tom Spagnola, senior vice president of supplier relations at CheapOair.

“Mondays and Tuesdays will typically return the lowest fares,” he said. That’s the prime time “after the airlines have processed demand for flights over the weekend.”

Commit to Non-Refundable Flight and Hotel Packages
Booking your flight and hotel together will almost always save you money, according to Orbitz, but you can save even more money if you agree to follow through on the booking. Nonrefundable flights and hotels are usually priced lower as an incentive to close the sale quickly. If you’re shopping at the last minute anyway, there’s a good chance you’ll find a great deal on the fly.

Take Advantage of Last-Minute Car Rental Offers
Some car rental companies, like Alamo, have a dedicated section of their website for last-minute car rentals. You can just enter your pick-up location and dates of travel to reveal the latest rates. These specials are available in as little as one hour’s notice, so you could save this booking for last and book the very same day if needed.

Book Vacations through the Airline
Some airlines have a dedicated vacations department where they put together itineraries that include airfare, hotel stays and other travel perks. If the airline is still trying to fill up empty seats on certain routes, you might be able to hop onboard with a last-minute fare and add on your hotel for a complete package.

For example, United Vacations offers a best-price guarantee that your complete vacation price is the lowest on the market. If you end up finding a better deal for the exact same itinerary — say, from a third-party travel site — United will match the lower price so you get the lowest possible price on that last-minute booking. The catch: You must contact United for a price match the same day you book your travel with them or the deal won’t apply.

Shop the Warehouse Club
If you have some travel dates in mind but need some inspiration, don’t forget to check out your warehouse club for travel deals. Costco posts last-minute cruise deals to the Caribbean, Bermuda and other top travel destinations. If you have a Costco card, you could be cruising to the Bahamas on the Norwegian Sky for three nights and sipping on your favorite beverage, starting at just $279.

© 2016 GOBankingRates.com, a ConsumerTrack web property.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ShareTweetShare
Paige Tepping

Paige Tepping

As RISMedia’s Managing Editor, Paige Tepping oversees the monthly editorial and layout for Real Estate magazine, working with clients to bring their stories to life. She also contributes to both the writing and editing of the magazine’s content. Paige has been with RISMedia since 2007.

Related Posts

eXp Realty Names Lofty Preferred Solution Provider in New CRM of Choice Program
Industry News

eXp Realty Names Lofty Preferred Solution Provider in New CRM of Choice Program

July 1, 2025
NWMLS
Agents

NWMLS Accuses Compass of Demanding ‘Free Riding’ in Lawsuit Response

July 1, 2025
Engagement
Agents

More Face Time: 3 Ways to Boost Engagement With Selfie-Style Content

July 1, 2025
Fed Chair Blames Tariffs for Pause, Uncommitted on July Rate Cut
Economy

Fed Chair Blames Tariffs for Pause, Uncommitted on July Rate Cut

July 1, 2025
Real Estate Magazine
Agents

The July Issue of Real Estate Magazine Is Now Live

July 1, 2025
Forbes Global Properties Expands Italian Presence with Sicily’s Rizzotti Advisors
Industry News

Forbes Global Properties Expands Italian Presence with Sicily’s Rizzotti Advisors

July 1, 2025
Please login to join discussion
Tip of the Day

Growth, Strategy and Excellence: Transform Your Brokerage at RISMedia’s CEO Exchange

Join top brokers Sept. 3–5 in Washington, D.C. to exchange cutting-edge strategies, gain market insights, foster elite networking—and propel your brokerage toward profitable growth and lasting success. Register now.

Business Tip of the Day provided by

Recent Posts

  • eXp Realty Names Lofty Preferred Solution Provider in New CRM of Choice Program
  • NWMLS Accuses Compass of Demanding ‘Free Riding’ in Lawsuit Response
  • More Face Time: 3 Ways to Boost Engagement With Selfie-Style Content

Categories

  • Spotlights
  • Best Practices
  • Advice
  • Marketing
  • Technology
  • Social Media

The Most Important Real Estate News & Events

Click below to receive the latest real estate news and events directly to your inbox.

Sign Up
By signing up, you agree to our TOS and Privacy Policy.

About Blog Our Products Our Team Contact Advertise/Sponsor Media Kit Email Whitelist Terms & Policies ACE Marketing Technologies LLC

© 2025 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved. Design by Real Estate Webmasters.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Premier
  • Reports
  • News
    • Agents
    • Brokers
    • Teams
    • Consumer
    • Marketing
    • Coaching
    • Technology
    • Headliners New
    • Luxury
    • Best Practices
    • National
    • Our Editors
  • Publications
    • Real Estate Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Custom Covers
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Podcasts
    • Event Coverage
  • Education
    • Get Licensed
    • REALTOR® Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Luxury Designation
    • Real Estate Tools
  • Newsmakers
    • 2025 Newsmakers
    • 2024 Newsmakers
    • 2023 Newsmakers
    • 2022 Newsmakers
    • 2021 Newsmakers
    • 2020 Newsmakers
    • 2019 Newsmakers
  • Power Broker
    • 2025 Power Broker
    • 2024 Power Broker
    • 2023 Power Broker
    • 2022 Power Broker
    • 2021 Power Broker
    • 2020 Power Broker
    • 2019 Power Broker
  • Join Premier
  • Sign In

© 2025 RISMedia. All Rights Reserved. Design by Real Estate Webmasters.

X