Southern Oregon Living

Last Minute Travel Tips

Last Minute Travel Tips.  Planning ahead is a good thing, and that's definitely true when it comes to travelling.  However, sometimes unforeseen circumstances - or a severe case of the winter blues - make planning far in advance almost impossible.  If you ever need or decide to travel at the last minute, here are some travel tips to maximize savings.

Last Minute Travel Tips

Be flexible - If possible, be flexible with both your travel dates and the carrier you choose.  Rigidity in either of these areas can easily translate into paying increased costs.

Know when to book - Most airlines file their Web specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  If possible, concentrate on flights departing from major hub airports and try to include a Saturday night stay.

Search diligently - There is no shortage of great websites for purchasing discounted airfares and hotel rooms.  In terms of airfares, don't forget to check the airlines' own websites, as some carriers do not appear on many of the discount websites.

Don't forget about travel agents - Many travel agents will purchase bulk deals, giving them access to better prices.  It's definitely a good idea to make a few calls as part of your search.

Websites to know about - To save time, pay a visit to Bookingbuddy.com. Enter your search for a flight, hotel, or car rental and compare the prices offered by various sites (Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, etc.) with the click of one button. Another great resource is Lastminute.com, which posts some great last-minute deals, as well as options for your not-so-last-minute traveling.

When it comes to last minute travel, the most important thing to remember is be flexible!

6 commentsMel Peterson - The Naked Blogger • February 03 2010 11:17PM