Last-minute travel can be exciting, but it often comes with the challenge of finding affordable flights and accommodation. Whether you’re planning a spontaneous getaway or need to book a business trip on short notice, there are plenty of ways to score great deals on flights and hotels. In this guide, we’ll show you how to find cheap last-minute flights and hotel deals, with expert tips to help you save money while travelling at the last minute.
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
When booking last-minute flights and hotels, flexibility is key. Prices can fluctuate dramatically depending on the time of day, week, or even season. By being flexible, you’ll have a better chance of finding a great deal.
Tips for Flexible Travel:
Use comparison websites: Tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights allow you to compare prices for different dates, showing you when flights and hotels are cheaper.
Look for mid-week flights: Flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often cheaper than those on weekends. The same goes for hotel rates, as weekdays tend to have lower occupancy.
Consider off-peak travel: If you can travel during off-peak seasons (such as after major holidays or before the school summer break), you can often find lower prices on both flights and hotels.
2. Use Last-Minute Travel Deal Websites and Apps
Several websites and apps are designed to help travellers find last-minute deals on flights and hotels. These platforms aggregate discounted prices, giving you access to offers that you may not find elsewhere.
Popular Last-Minute Travel Sites:
Lastminute.com: A well-known site for booking last-minute flights, hotels, holidays, and even theatre tickets.
HotelTonight: A mobile app that offers discounts on last-minute hotel bookings, particularly useful for spontaneous trips.
Expedia: Expedia offers a "Deals" section where you can find last-minute discounts on flights and hotels, as well as vacation packages.
Booking.com: With its “Last-Minute Deals” section, Booking.com is another excellent site to find discounted hotel rooms at the last minute.
3. Set Alerts for Price Drops
When you're searching for last-minute travel deals, it’s important to set up price alerts so you can be notified when prices drop. This is especially useful for flights, which can fluctuate by the hour.
How to Set Alerts:
Skyscanner: Allows you to set price alerts for specific flights, giving you a heads-up when prices decrease.
Google Flights: Google Flights also has a price tracking feature, where you can track flight prices and get notified of price changes.
By setting up alerts, you can jump on a deal the moment it’s available, saving you both time and money.
4. Consider Alternative Airports and Hotels
Last-minute deals on flights and hotels might not always be found at the most popular or central locations. By expanding your search to include alternative airports or nearby hotels, you can often find better prices.
Tips for Finding Alternatives:
Fly into nearby airports: For example, if you're flying to London, check flights into airports like Gatwick or Stansted, in addition to Heathrow. Sometimes these airports have cheaper flights, even when factoring in the cost of transportation to your final destination.
Check hotels in less central locations: Hotel prices in the city centre tend to be higher. Consider booking a hotel a bit further out or using a platform like Airbnb to find cheaper accommodation options in the surrounding areas.
5. Look for Flash Sales and Special Promotions
Many airlines and hotels offer flash sales, which are limited-time promotions with significant discounts. These sales are usually announced last-minute and can help you save big if you’re quick to act.
How to Spot Flash Sales:
Sign up for newsletters: Many airlines and hotel chains send out newsletters with exclusive deals. Signing up for newsletters from sites like Ryanair or Premier Inn can give you access to flash sales or limited-time offers.
Follow social media: Many airlines and hotels post flash sale announcements on their social media pages. Following brands like easyJet or Travelodge on platforms like Twitter and Facebook can help you stay updated on these time-sensitive deals.
6. Use Loyalty Points and Travel Rewards
If you're a frequent traveller, you may have accumulated loyalty points or travel rewards through airlines, hotel chains, or credit cards. You can use these points to book flights and hotels at a reduced cost or even for free.
Ways to Use Points:
Frequent flyer programs: Programs like British Airways Avios allow you to earn points when flying, which can be redeemed for discounts on future flights.
Hotel loyalty programs: Chains like Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors let you earn points on each stay, which can be redeemed for free nights or upgrades.
Credit card rewards: Many travel credit cards offer points that can be converted into flights or hotel bookings. Check out cards like the British Airways American Express for a range of travel-related perks.
7. Book Flights and Hotels Together
When booking last-minute travel, bundling your flight and hotel into a package deal can often result in significant savings. Many travel agencies and booking sites offer special discounts when you book both together.
Best Websites for Package Deals:
Expedia: Offers discounted holiday packages, including flights and hotels, when booked together.
TUI: Another site that offers package holidays with bundled flight and hotel deals.
8. Don’t Forget to Check for Student and Youth Discounts
If you're a student or young traveller, you may be eligible for additional discounts on last-minute flights and hotels. Websites like Student Universe offer discounted travel deals for students and young adults.
Final Thoughts
Finding cheap last-minute flights and hotel deals requires flexibility, research, and sometimes a bit of luck. By using the right tools, signing up for alerts, and being open to alternatives, you can save money and still enjoy an amazing trip.
Use these tips to your advantage and start planning your next last-minute getaway today!
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