|
|
|||||
|
A ‘How To’ Guide To Getting The Best Deals When Traveling Last Minute
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
8. Closing Thoughts and Remarks Snap decisions can pay off, Days or hours could make all the difference in our on-demand, technology reliant, enabled and results driven world, consumers and now even travel solutions. The process itself has become streamlined, effective, open and more casual, some say even empowered, more-so than ever before. The travel industry and our old ‘habits’, ways of doing things are fast and ever changing. There are lots of debates and opinions on whether you save anything by actually booking early these days! According to studies done by the Travel Association of America the majority of modern traveler’s book their trips not more than two weeks in advance. Obviously this could be due to numerous reasons. There are increasingly more and more discount travel offers to be had online. Both leisure and business travel are included in this trend. There are more seats and beds to sell in a shorter time frame, less and less people are booking travel in advance, leaving providers and industry players with the challenge of finding creative ways to make the formula for success work (both ways!) ENTER last minute travel deals! There are lots of thoughts that waiting could actually be a good thing these days with lots of bargains to be had. When the travel business is suffering these types of bookings are lifesavers that provide a steady stream of revenue, albeit lower, at least it is something! Most would gladly do the deal than risk not getting any at all. The game has changed, for both sides of the fence and the new economy finds strange bedfellows exploring mutually beneficial value-propositions like last minute travel to survive, even grow and/or thrive, where others who opt not to miss out and even risk going under.
There are even websites capitalizing on this trend and at the forefront of a lot of the vibe, buzz and energy created in and around the industry and travel in general. It is in effect reshaping the landscape and face, processes and outcomes of travel. Packaging and bundling travel deals have gone a long way to find great value for travelers and consumers. Tourism in general is still hurting from some industry, economical and global aftermath and fallout. As and industry and sector it has not remained unscathed by these ‘forces’ and negative impacts. Low occupancy rates, empty seats they all make people more nervous and negatively impacts success and growth. This is one way the players are dealing with it! Last minute deals are popular and getting more-so every day. This is evidence of a BIG paradigm shift for most consumers. Their behavior shows that they have adapted to the challenges and opportunities that this new trend and circumstance has brought with it. Internet specials and midweek offerings and lower cost options are getting more and more prevalent and accepted practice. Most argue that as the economy gets better and world events stabilize so will the travel industry and with it will disappear the last minute deal. Others are not so sure about that. They think that consumers are getting used to these deals and specials as ‘standard’ and what was the gold standard or edge today, will be the new pre-requisite for tomorrow.
There are last minute travel clubs, discussion boards, blogs and forums going up everywhere. Globally people are advising each other on where the best deals are to be had and most are spending the time online to find and secure what they need even on short notice. This trend will continue and grow. Stand-by travel-deals and last minute bookings are not really that new, they have just moved onto the fore-front more now. Follow these tips to save money when arranging last-minute vacation packages If you’re planning a last-minute vacation package, you can save by being a bit more flexible with your travel choices. Search online and identify a benchmark cost for transportation, accommodations, etc. Once you’ve narrowed down your accommodations options, check out reviews about them. Research last-minute airfares and lastly, take risks. If you’re really after savings, gamble on inexpensive but lesser known travel providers. Maybe you are planning a last minute weekend trip or trying to escape from some cold weather. By using strategies unique to booking last-minute travel, you might find more than you bargained for online. It will give you the best bang for your buck, the best value for money. The request might be simple. Here is one example of someone’s plans and experience with last minute travel: wanting to fly from Boston to New Orleans with as few connecting flights as possible, stay two or three nights at a mid-range property within walking distance of both the French Quarter and the St. Charles streetcar, and spend about $400 per person. The request sounds simple. The hunt online for the best pricing and discounts, lowest fares, VERY REVEALING! Maybe even considering something a little different helped, like a cozy bed-and-breakfast. Using BookingBuddy.com (a sister site of SmarterTravel.com),also searching the Big 3, namely Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity to get a benchmark price pf sorts for airfare. Doing some homework will almost always pay off. You are in a better position to negotiate if you are knowledgeable and knowing if you are getting value or ripped off. As a rule of thumb cheaper flights are to be found on the airlines' Web sites first, more-so than through a third-party agency also no ‘fees’ checking each carrier site takes time, most consumers opt for one of the comparison sites. You are oftentimes not left with many options. Still trying to find a decent price range, searching last-minute travel provider websites like the aforementioned Site59 would also help. Here are some online excerpts on How to be a SMART last-minute traveler: There are various ways to save when booking your last minute travel: Be flexible. Without being held to specific dates, your options and choices will open up. If you are not stuck on specific brands or carriers, there are wider choice and more options obviously Experts online are of the opinion that Budget travelers can get away for a last-minute weekend for even less, by staying at budget hotels and choosing the cheapest flight options. And, if you're flexible, you can save by switching your dates to travel on the cheapest weekend. Do your research. Knowing what things cost, how much you are paying, the value and price comparisons or benchmark pricing will help you out tremendously. If you have these on hand BEFORE you book, you will just know if you're getting a good deal or not, wasting your time or really cashing in. Bargain hunting for travel deals then becomes really easy! Optimize your selection and choices: Compare and contrast price for all airfares and vacation packages on several different sites. This will help you to get a handle on and idea about what the average rate and costs are for your travel dates. Hunting for the best combination will give you the best and lowest fare option. Custom your own BEST travel deal. Take control of the process and be in charge of your own travel destiny for a change! Get your priorities straight and know what is important to you. Balance value and price. Visit TripAdvisor, a very useful Web site with consumer reviews of hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts written by previous guests. PRIOR to booking these insights will help you out immensely avoiding costly mistakes, Monitor ANY and ALL last-minute airfares. last-minute airfares databases also have lots of inventory for unsold or undersold seats. Be alert for savings, even where and when you do not expect them. Take some calculated risks. Be rewarded for your ‘blind trust’, providing your credit card information before seeing the airline and exact flight itinerary.
Some useful advice from the last-minute online travel experts: From Hotwire.com: Be flexible. Sometimes departing a day earlier or later can make a big difference in airfare price. Travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays for the best deals of all. If it's a weekend getaway, save some cash by leaving on a Thursday and returning on a Sunday. (In general, try to avoid holidays.) Jump on it. When you see the right deal, book it quickly. Airline ticket prices can change within minutes. Coordinate scheduling and make other pre-travel arrangements before you search, so that you can book your fare as soon as you see it. Broaden your horizons. Once you choose your city, be sure to search multiple neighborhoods to find the best deal. You may be surprised by the great last-minute deals you turn up. Go off the beaten path. You may find more bargains. Kari Swartz, leisure travel specialist with Expedia.com You may find an incredible deal at the last minute, but there are risks. When you see a good price, lock it in. Set a budget. That way you'll avoid credit-card remorse. Entertain a destination that may not have made your short list. Be creative. Travel in low season. Go to Las Vegas or the Caribbean in the summer for smaller crowds and better rates. Or go to Orlando when school is in session. Booking a vacation package is the best way to travel. From Consumer Reports Travel Letter A travel agent is the best resource for finding last-minute package deals, as they're kept abreast of many of the last-breaking discounts. Check out tour operators' Web sites as well as third-party sites such as Site59, LastMinuteTravel.com and 11thhourvacations.com for last-minute discount offerings. Don't wait until the last minute to look for a cruise deal. The key to capturing bargains is booking about a month in advance. Seek out cruise consolidators, who make comparison shopping easier, and occasionally offer rates even lower than what you'd find on the cruise lines' site. Register online with several major airlines to be e-mailed bargain "e-fares" each week. Also log on to the major travel booking sites; just make sure to comparison shop by going to the airlines' own sites. For a hotel deal, visit the hotel chains' Web sites to look for getaway promotions or weekend specials. Call the individual hotel and ask if any specials, upgrades or lower rates are available. Bob Albert, general manager of Site59 Know what the price includes. A great last-minute deal doesn't mean you have to take a leap of faith by paying before you know the details — such as an unknown hotel or a less-than-desirable flight itinerary. Unlike Site59, some sites give only a booking window (morning, afternoon, night) while others don't display the airline information until after you submit a credit card. Know your options. You never know when you might want to get away, so it's always best to be informed. Sign up for e-mail notices.
|
|||||
| Table of Contents | |||||