Finding last minute travel deals in the United States requires persistence, determination and a bit of luck. The good news is that even you’ve put off your travel plans until the week before your honeymoon; bargains are still there for the taking.
Before you begin take a close look at your priorities. While you should be able get what you want you might have to give up something in return. How long will be traveling? Are you pressed for time? Or can you be more flexible? How many people are traveling with you? Do you need a seat on the airplane for your twins? Or will grandma take over their care when you’re away? Do you want luxurious accommodations at the best hotels? Or do you not care where you place your head at night just as long as you can be somewhere else?
Once you’ve figured out some of the answers to these questions you can begin your search. If you’re traveling by plane pick up a copy of the travel section of newspapers. Many dailies run a specific travel section on the weekend. Here you’ll find lots of advertising for small companies that specialize in last minute airline tickets. Call up the companies and ask for rates. When using this service be aware that the rates quoted may be higher because they may not include items like taxes.
When flying you have several options to save money even if you’re traveling last minute. Airline travel is often cheaper if you’re willing to stay past a weekend and fly out on weekday. Some airlines have what’s called “stand-by” seating. Stand-by seating means that you agree to fill a seat that someone else has cancelled. Since a plane must fly to a destination even if it isn’t full you can save money this way because the airline does not want the seat to go empty.
Another option to consider, particularly if you have enough time, is train travel. Amtrack is the nation’s largest railroad and can be a very pleasant way to see America. It can also sometimes be nearly as fast as travel by airplane. For instance, a trip from New York City to Washington D.C by airplane is roughly an hour by plane. The same trip by train is five hours. Yet travelers still lose time during the airline flight because they must travel to the airport and wait for the plane to depart as they deposit their luggage. Amtrack service, on the other hand, boards in mid-town Manhattan and stops in the very center of Washington so you don’t have to waste time traveling to and from an airport.
Another way to get a great deal is to agree to act as a courier for a package. Look for ads in the newspaper travel section. This can be a risky strategy because sometimes unscrupulous people may ask you to transport an illicit substance. Use only reputable companies and make sure you read any and all fine print. The new laws governing American airlines in the aftermath of 9/11 punish people who break the law very harshly. Beware that even then you might still have to pay a travel fee.
Another way to take a trip last minute and still save money is to travel during the off season. Many destinations will drop their prices as much as fifty percent if you are there at a less popular time. If you find a hotel you would like to stay in, contact them directly. Even if the advertised price is higher many lodgings are willing to negotiate if they haven’t filled enough rooms. For instance, a Florida beach resort is much more likely to need your patronage during July instead of December.
The internet is one your best tools during this process. Try expedia.com or priceline.com for information about your destination. If the price quoted is too high try using the contact information listed to call up the front desk. Sometimes the rates quoted online aren’t always accurate. A reservation may have been cancelled and you might find the owners are delighted to have someone to take the room.
One additional angle to explore is your age, religion or organizational affiliation. Youth hostels around the world cater to the needs of last minute guests on a budget. Check your local college bulletin board because you’ll very often see flyers offering last minute deals, particularly as spring break starts. The Automobile Association of America has a program that offers members special travel deals. Most of the offerings have no time constraints so they are perfect for last minute travelers.
Another excellent resource for last minute travel deals are travel agents. A good agent can work with airlines, hotels and even cruise ships to help you find last-ditch deals. Travel agents often have years of experience in travel planning as well industry contacts that can serve you very well. It’s a good idea to work with a local agent because a neighborhood based agent will often be more familiar with local travel challenges.
Whether you’re traveling on an important business trip or on a much postponed vacation there are many ways you can travel America at a moment’s notice and still find a great deal.
Tags: Last Minute Travel, Find Last Minute Travel Deals, Last Minute Travel Package