It would be fair to say that the last-minute booking landscape has changed somewhat in recent years.
Once upon a time, booking late was a “normal” thing to do – one of the few ways to unlock savings. Nowadays, the opposite tends to be true, but that doesn’t mean to say there aren’t methods to save money on late bookings from time to time.
In today’s post, we will now take a look at some of the easiest ways to save money on your next holiday if you’re looking to book as close to departure as possible.
Venture off the beaten track
Unfortunately, “normal” getaways don’t tend to result in huge savings. After all, these are the breaks that everyone is targeting, and the law of supply and demand means that it becomes highly unlikely to grab a bargain.
Sure, it can happen, and you can get lucky, but instead focus your efforts on more obsolete places which don’t draw the crowds. This doesn’t have to be at the expense of a good holiday, either. You might target an area which is within a short-drive of a more popular destination, as one example. Or, you might even change the type of holiday your targeting, with cruises often advertising late deals. Yes, you may have to turn to a specific form of cruise travel insurance for these types of getaways, but overall, the savings will be worthwhile.
The wonders of “incognito” mode
When you search for holiday deals, the prices that you’re subsequently presented with might be different to what others see. This is because some providers will use cookies to track your web activity, and then bump up the prices when they believe you’re interested.
To get around this, trying using “incognito” mode in your browser. This will prevent cookies from being stored on your device, and as a result you should be able to see the ‘true’ prices which are being offered.
Look for alternate airports
The airport you fly into might have a major bearing on the price you pay for your flights. This is particularly true of popular tourist destinations, where the demand (and prices) is often much higher.
To get around this, simply look for alternate airports which are in the vicinity. In some cases, you might have to travel a little further to your final destination, but the savings could be well worth it.
Be flexible with your dates
If you’re really set on booking a last-minute getaway, then you might have to be flexible with your dates. This is because the most popular dates (such as weekends and school holidays) are often the most expensive, and the availability of deals is often limited.
Therefore, if you’re able to be flexible with your dates, you might stand a better chance of finding a bargain. For example, you might look at travelling during the week instead of at the weekend.
Sign up for newsletters
This might not be an obvious one, but it’s definitely worth considering. By signing up for newsletters with holiday providers, you’ll be one of the first to hear about any late deals or special offers which might be available.
This way, you can snap up a bargain before anyone else has a chance to.
Follow providers on social media
This is similar to the previous point, but it’s worth doing in addition to signing up for newsletters.
By following holiday providers on social media, you’ll be kept up-to-date with any last minute deals which might be available. This way, you can grab a bargain before it’s gone.
