Planning a Last Minute Trip
Sometimes, an unplanned trip is necessary. While last-minute excursions are possible, getting a good deal can sometimes be tricky. We’ve got some helpful tips to get you on your way quickly.
If you want to plan a quick getaway, you have to keep in mind the cardinal rules of last minute travel: have an open mind and stay flexible. There are many resources out there to help you plan a trip, including where to go and the best way to get there. Travel + Leisure has a few of the best gems to book at the 11th hour, including Panama and Grenada. If you’re looking to stay closer to home, many websites can help you bundle your whole trip with the click of one button. Now that’s convenience!
Independent traveler has a great list of websites to help you plan your last-minute trip. Whether you need help planning all aspects of a trip or just airfare, they have the sites that will be the most useful for you. Two of their top sites include:
- CheapCaribbean.com – a quick Caribbean getaway is easy with this website. They have packages and promotions for many popular Caribbean destinations, as well as all-inclusive packages.
- American Airlines – if you have a place to stay and just need a cheap flight, American Airlines can help with their Net SAAver Weekend Getaway fares. American Airlines isn’t the only airline to offer deals, check out others like Delta and United to compare destinations and rates.
Expedia.com has a last-minute deal section where you can search hotels and flight information. It also provides suggestions on specific last-minute deals available for the current and following week.
HotelTonight.com is another option for finding deals, tonight, tomorrow and next week. There is a list of major cities covered by this site which is fairly extensive and categorized by North America; Central and South America; Europe, Middle East and Africa and the Asia Pacific.
Don’t forget to check Airbnb and other community marketplaces for last-minute deals. Airbnb is launching these types of searches in major cities but mostly available through its app since that is where last-minute booking is needed—while on the go.
Other helpful tips and tricks include searching specifically for last minute deals, trying to fly out on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and making sure you notify your credit card company ahead of time that you’ll be traveling. With these tips and a little patience and flexibility you’ll be on your way in no time.