Booking A Last-Minute Holiday

Summer holidays are upon us and if you haven’t yet booked to go away, it's not too late to book a spontaneous last-minute holiday. Whether you fancy lounging on a beach or something a little more adventurous there are usually some great late holidays deals to take advantage of and if you do have the flexibility, going on holiday at short notice allows you to enjoy some great discounts and you may end up visiting somewhere that you may not have been to before.

What is a last-minute holiday?

Last minute holidays are cut-price package holidays usually booked within eight weeks of departure. Hotels, airlines and holiday companies are usually left with cancelled bookings or places still available and these are what makes deals last minute as they become more desperate to sell their empty seats and rooms allowing you to enjoy great value for money to some amazing destinations worldwide.

When is the best time to book a last-minute holiday?

Obviously last-minute deals get cheaper the closer you get to departure date. Some people are happy to book very last minute just days before they jet off whereas others book about four weeks in advance of jetting off. If you are going on holiday on your own or as a couple you can be more flexible than if you are travelling with children or a large group. The later you wait the more flexible you will have to be about dates and destinations.

How to take advantage of last-minute holiday deals

It is always best to compare the best deals and get the most value for your budget. Research a range of destinations and decide on what you are looking for i.e. an adventure break or a quiet week relaxing in a beach resort.

• Try and be as flexible as you can especially with dates and try to avoid the weekends as these can lead to higher prices.
• Be open to different destinations

• Compare a range of deals; a five-day holiday in one resort can be more expensive than a seven-day all-inclusive in another, a self-catering holiday might be more expensive than a half board holiday somewhere else
• Don’t set expectations, flexibility is the key - don’t' be too set in having a plan, spontaneity will allow for different opportunities

Last-minute all-inclusive deals

All-inclusive deals are very popular with holidaymakers looking for a quick getaway. The price you pay usually includes flights, accommodation and all meals but it always best to check each deal. Knowing that everything is paid for gives you a lot less to worry about and you can make great savings especially when booking last-minute.

Best last-minute holiday websites

Travel agents are the experts so take advantage of their resources or if you fancy doing it yourself; some of the best last-minute holiday websites to visit include; travelzoo.com, secretscapes.com, holidaypirates.com and baholidays.com.

And remember if you have just booked your last-minute holiday don’t forget to book your airport parking with I Love meet and greet.

By Sarah Anglim at 11 Jul 2019