Booking a last minute hotel reservation can save tons of money. This is because at the end of peak travel times, such as at the end of major holidays, many hotels are looking to fill up their rooms and generate income during the “off season.” The first week of January is a time when the travel industry plummets, and so it is very easy to get cheap deals, because hotels and vacation companies want to sell, even if it means offering very cheap packages.
When booking last minute instead of in advance, the hotel is able to offer a limited-time package at a reduced price because they know the current inventory and quota of the hotel, and know how low they are able to price a room, compared to booking a hotel months in advance, when the hotel can mark up the price, especially during peak travel times.
Finding Cheap Deals Online
With the popularity of last minute traveling growing, many companies are creating their own last minute deals. Travelocity, Hotwire, Priceline, Expedia, and most of the popular commercial travel websites have special deals for last minute reservation and package purchases. A quick search for last minute deals brings up thousands of sites dedicated to bringing the traveler the best deal on a quick getaway.
Some companies operate specifically for the purpose of finding those last minute deals, like CheapoStay and LastMinute.com. When searching these websites, one can only book about two to three weeks in advance, and can book a deal that departs as early as the next day. Most of these websites only offer the deals for a limited amount of time, and once they are gone they cannot be claimed again. It can save even more to compare last minute deals on these various sites to find the absolute cheapest vacation around.
Availability of Last Minute Deals
Booking last minute obviously takes away the plethora of availability that can be offered by booking far in advance. It is very easy, however, to find the last minute deals, it merely depends on what each customer wants. The best deals can be found during the off-peak travel times. The more popular a vacation spot, the more likely it is that the hotels in that area are offering last minute deals.
If one is not picky about the type of hotel room, or the specific amenities in the room, it is easier to get a better deal. Often the available rooms are low to middle-range in the hotel, so it would be difficult to get the luxury suites at a bargain price. Specific accommodations, such as handicapped rooms or ones with amenities like kitchens, or extra rooms, can also be difficult to find.
How Much Last Minute Deals Can Save
It is easily possible to save up to 70% when booking a last minute hotel. Even popular destinations can be remarkably cheap when booked at the last minute. Often prices drop from the thousands to the hundreds when booking last minute, especially during off peak times. The shorter the amount of time between booking and departing, the more it is possible to save. If one gets a package, such as hotel plus airfare, even more can potentially be saved.
Hotel Chains Offering Last Minute Deals
Some hotels can be counted on to offer last minute deal regularly. The Radisson, Sheraton, and the Holiday Inn are all featured regularly on multiple travel websites for their last minute hotel deals in multiple locations. Typically, it is easier to book a last minute hotel deal from one of the many travel websites, as they can compile the various hotels offering deals.
However, if there is a specific chain that a person stays at, keeping up to date with the hotel’s prices and deals can pay off in the long run. This is especially true if it is one of the chains, such as those mentioned above, that frequently have those cheap last minute deals. Going to the chain’s website directly can help the traveler get a deal without going through an outside website.
