Have you decided to take a spur of the moment vacation? Or did
you wait too long to plan your trip out West for the annual family
reunion? Either way, here's everything you need to know to plan that
vacation swiftly without breaking the bank.1. Shop Around - When it comes to last-minute planning, no wiser words have been spoken! Don't settle for the very first seemingly good deal you come across; sit down and spend an hour (or two) researching on various travel and airline websites to see who is offering the absolute best deals.
2. Sign Up for Alerts - Many travel websites (think Priceline or Hotwire) allow users to sign up for alerts. For example, if you need to purchase a flight to New York City, simply sign up for alerts you'll be emailed when fares dip below a certain price or an airline is offering a screamin' deal.
3. Call your Travel Agent - It may seem old school but booking your trip through a travel agent is a tried-and-true last-minute vacation method that works more often than not. Why? Online travel booking through the very sites you're probably using have put the pinch on travel agents. Many of them have several connections within the travel industry that they can utilize to pass on serious savings to you. In addition, you may find a few willing to offer you a great deal in hopes that you'll use them for your future travel needs.
4. Bundle It! - If you happen to be planning a trip where you'll need airfare plus a rental, you may have the opportunity to save even more. Many online travel sites offer cheaper rates if you're willing to bundle airfare and hotel or hotel and rental car.
5. Fly to the Less Popular - Airport, that is. If you happen to be flying to a metropolitan area, save some dough by flying into a smaller, less popular airport. For instance, New York City has three different major airports to choose from: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark in New Jersey.
6. Think Outside of the Box - Instead of paying for the most conventional travel methods and modes, are there ways to save by thinking outside of the box. Instead of paying $100+ a night for a mediocre hotel room, could you save a little (or even spend slightly more) for a much bigger, nicer rental condo? Instead of renting a car, are you in an area that offers mass transit? Be a little creative and you just might find you can save even more on your dream vacation.
7. Be Flexible - Most importantly, when it comes to last minute vacations remember that being flexible is going to allow you to save you the most. You may find that going on a Caribbean cruise is actually cheaper than staying at an ocean-front resort. Or that simply flying out two weeks later saves you hundreds of dollars. Moral of the story: be flexible!
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