10 Tips on How to Save Money on Last Minute Travel

The holidays have come and gone and oftentimes you are so busy with business that you just couldn’t get away. With the new year, you now have time to travel and are feeling spontaneous. If you have ever tried to book travel last minute, meaning within 14 days of your arrival date, you know that it is often coupled with high prices and big headaches. However, last minute travel does not have to be expensive and if you are a chronic procrastinator or have to get away for last minute business travel, these tips could be your saving grace.

So how can you make your last minute travel trip stress-free and save money at the same time?

1. Consider mid-week travel:

Whether you are booking a flight or a hotel room, travel can be less expensive mid-week. Flights can be one-third of the cost if you can or are willing to book on a Tuesday rather than a Friday. Tuesdays are typically the best days to book as many airlines and hotels slash their fees on Tuesdays.

2. Shop around online for the best hotel deals:

Look around on travel sites for the best hotel deals and make sure you Google for positive reviews before you book. Hotel costs can vary on different sites to the tune of a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Some sites even tack on hidden fees. Do your homework!

3. Ensure the travel booking site you use gives you incentives or perks:

Ever join a hotel travel club only to find out that the rewards and incentives they provide you are just not that rewarding? There are several booking sites that promise fruitful travel rewards, you just need to know where to look. Newer sites like Triphop, a leading online hotel booking company, provides travelers the freedom to reward themselves by providing an unrestricted, immediate, and extremely generous cash rewards program.

4. Pack light:

This goes without saying but with last minute travel invest in a light carry on so that you don’t have to embark in hefty booking fees. You do not want to carry bulky luggage if you are going for a quick business trip. Oftentimes if you can buy a smaller suitcase and pack wisely you can avoid having to check bags and that alleviates the stress of waiting in baggage claim when you do arrive at your destination.

5. Mix business with a little fun:

Maybe you are going on a business trip but at night you have a little downtime to explore the town. In advance, start researching restaurants or maybe fun shows such as theater, a comedy club or any other activity that takes your mind off the stress of travel. Apps like Groupon allow you to discover things to do where you are and try them at a discounted rate. As they say, work hard, play hard.

6. Check and double check all reservation dates:

You made your hotel reservation, but do they really have your info in the hotel system? Prior to leaving on your trip, call the hotel and ensure that your name and dates of travel match up to what they have in the system. There are certain sites that will do this for you, but not all sites are created equal. As a precautionary measure its good to just ensure you are in the system for an overall peace of mind.

7. Provide your travel info to a close family member and friend:

There should always be two points of contact that know your travel dates and where you are traveling to in case of emergencies. Forwarding travel itineraries to people you trust can help if you need to reach someone and there is a travel delay on your trip.

8. Check hotel reviews prior to booking:

You are at the point of booking, but how do you assure that the hotel you booked is worth staying at? Doing a quick search and reading through some traveler reviews will help determine if you made the right choice. Don’t place all your decisions however on travel reviews. While helpful, oftentimes there may be online competitors that are looking to sway your decisions. Asking friends or relatives if they have stayed or have a recommendation for a hotel is often helpful when making decisions.

9. Learn everything about the destination before takeoff:

If you are headed to a foreign country read up on cultural norms and check the weather conditions for the next few days. Every country is unique and you want to be sure that you are mentally and physically prepared for what you are about to experience.

10. Next time plan ahead:

While last minute travel deals can be found, our number one tip is to prepare in advance if you can the next time you travel. It always helps to alleviate stress and ensure that things go much more smoothly when you are on the road.

By following these tips, you can minimize the headache of last minute travel and spend more time enjoying the journey.

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