15 Hacks for Finding Last-Minute Vacation Deals

Ever wake up and just know you’re overdue for a vacation? Not the well-planned, carefully researched kind of vacation, but one of those spontaneous adventures that call to your travel-happy soul. The only catch? Last-minute trips don’t leave much time to budget or hunt down the best prices. Luckily, last-minute vacation deals can make even the most spur-of-the-moment vacations affordable!

Go ahead, start daydreaming—these 15 tips will help you save big even when you haven’t planned ahead.

• 1. Use flight deal apps

  Apps that have already researched cheap flights are your very best friends when you’re looking for vacation deals. Skyscanner, Hopper, and Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) can save you hours of research and help you find unexpected bargains.

• 2. Be flexible with your dates

  Flights too expensive on your ideal travel dates? Search for the day before or after. Shifting your trip by even just 24 hours can drastically lower the price, especially around the holidays.

• 3. Check nearby airports

  Flying into smaller or alternative airports can also cut down the price of your airline ticket. For example, check flight prices for Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami or Long Beach instead of Los Angeles.

  Pro Tip: If you aren’t as close to your destination, you’ll have to figure out an inexpensive way to get there. Check Uber, taxi, and rental car prices to make sure you don’t end up accidentally spending more.

• 4. Set price alerts

  Those apps we mentioned earlier? Most of them allow you to set price alerts for your dates and destination. When you get that notification, you can jump right on it and score a last-minute flight deal before it sells out.

• 5. Hunt for airline “deals” pages

  Many airlines have last-minute vacation deals for flights that aren’t selling out. Browse through sections like “Weekend Getaways” or “Special Deals” on their website. Perfect for a spontaneous trip!

• 6. Explore with Google Flights

  It’s even easier to score a deal when you don’t have a specific destination; you just know you want an escape. Google Flights has an awesome “Explore” feature that can help you find cheap flights. All you have to do is enter your departure city and when you want to travel (specific dates or a more general time frame). You’ll get a list of the cheapest places you can fly to. For the best last-minute vacation deals, look for flights in the next month or two.

• 7. Compare one-way tickets

  Instead of buying round-trip airfare, consider booking two separate one-way tickets on different airlines. You’ll be able to get the cheapest flight price for each of them and more options for flight dates and times.

• 8. Join airline rewards programs

  The best vacation deals aren’t just cheap, they’re free. With an airline rewards program—or a credit card that’s linked to one—you can rack up miles all year. So instead of having to pay for a spur-of-the-moment getaway, you can cash them in. Free flights? Count us in!

• 9. Look at package deals

  Instead of booking your flights and hotel separately, look for vacation packages that bundle them all together. They’re usually cheaper that way, so you’ll be cutting down two of your biggest vacation expenses.

• 10. Ship your luggage

  The cheapest flights are usually no-frills. Everything from seat selection to carry-ons and luggage comes at an additional cost. For less than the price of your average checked bag, you can ship your bags to your final destination with LugLess. No hassles at the airport, and even better, no budget-breaking luggage fees. Just smooth travels that are easy on your wallet!

• 11. Sign up for airline emails

  Airlines often announce their flash sales first (or only) via email. One email at the right time could save you $$ on your next flight. But be ready to act fast, as these deals could sell out quickly.

• 12. Try vacation rentals

  For last-minute vacation deals on accommodations, check out Airbnb or Vrbo. Hosts will often drop their rates to fill empty dates at the last minute.

• 13. Book a business hotel

  Hotels that cater to business travelers, such as those near a convention center or loaded with conference rooms, tend to be busier during the workweek. On the weekends, though, demand drops—and so do the rates, making them a great resource for vacation deals.

• 14. Get happy

  At happy hour, that is! But it’s not just about the drinks. Many bars and restaurants also discount their apps and entrées during happy hour. It’s a great way to save money and leave room to splurge on dessert later in the evening.

• 15. Get the inside scoop

  Ask servers, hotel staff, and other friendly residents for inside tips. From budget-friendly meals to live music venues with no cover charge, they know where to find all the real deals. You’ll find the best of the city without blowing your budget!

These hacks for last-minute vacation deals will keep your wallet happy and your wanderlust even happier. Bon voyage!