You're feeling spontaneous and need to go away — preferably next weekend. A last-minute vacation is more feasible than you think, don't be resigned to the fact that you will have to pay a high rate for your accommodation.
There are tricks you can use as long as you are willing to put a little bit of effort into your research. Using the Internet and the telephone can save you significant money instead of just accepting what an accommodation quotes you as its standard rate. Sometimes just being polite when asking for a lower rate can save you a significant amount per night.
Here's how to fulfill vacation wanderlust on demand.
- Be flexible — with dates and destination.
Sunday can be one of the more expensive days to fly, but moving your return to a Monday or Tuesday can make a big difference in price — or, plug in dates for two weeks later and do a side-by-side comparison.
Also, play around with your length of stay.
Some accommodations offer a fifth night free, which gives you an extra day at no additional cost.
- Get On The Phone
Do not rely on the Internet alone when searching for cheap, last-minute deals on lodging.
Call the accommodation directly and ask if there are any last-minute deals available on a room. The rate listed on an
accommodation's website is not always the lowest rate that it will offer. If an accommodation has a large number of rooms open for a night and it's less than 48 hours before that date, a manager at the accommodation may be willing to reduce the rates further than what the website advertises. Do not be afraid to ask for a lower rate. The worst the manager can do is say no.
- Outsource the planning.
Not all accommodations are created equal and, even with limited lead time, a travel pro can help match you with the right fit — often at an unadvertised rate. Some may add a small fee to expedite last-minute plans (and make a few urgent phone calls on your behalf), but an accredited organization will give you peace of mind that your vacation has been vetted. They also may be able to pull some strings so that accommodations know who you are before you get there.
- Search for discounts.
Combing through pages of discount codes and vouchers won’t always be fruitful but it’s worth a go. Keep an eye on offers and discount code websites. Both Voucher Codes and Voucher Cloud have a long list of offers that are available but sometimes aren’t clearly advertised on travel websites themselves. Worst case scenario, your voucher code will be declined. There’s no harm in trying, right?
- Note what’s non-refundable.
Most accommodations have a cancellation policy of anywhere from 24 hours to 7 to 21 days in advance. For last-minute jaunts, your reservation may have to be paid in full up front. If there's a still a chance you might come down with the flu in the week before you leave, or if your boss may not approve those last-minute vacation days, consider travel protection insurance.
- Beware of a deal that’s too good.
Scrolling
through pages of user reviews may cut into your packing time, but be sure to do your due diligence to make sure you're getting what you paid for. Last-minute deals are not always what they're cracked up to be.
- Get on the waitlist.
Flexibility is key when you're on a short time frame, but if that dreamy resort you fell in love with on Instagram is fully booked, call and ask to be put on a wait list for any last-minute cancellations. Same goes for dinner reservations, spa appointments and the like.
