Some useful advice from the last-minute online travel experts:


From Hotwire.com:

Be flexible. Sometimes departing a day earlier or later can make a big difference in airfare price. Travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays for the best deals of all.
 If it's a weekend getaway, save some cash by leaving on a Thursday and returning on a Sunday. (In general, try to avoid holidays.)

Jump on it. When you see the right deal, book it quickly. Airline ticket prices can change within minutes. Coordinate scheduling and make other pre-travel arrangements before you search, so that you can book your fare as soon as you see it.

Broaden your horizons. Once you choose your city, be sure to search multiple neighborhoods to find the best deal. You may be surprised by the great last-minute deals you turn up.

Go off the beaten path. You may find more bargains.

From Hotwire.com:

Be flexible. Sometimes departing a day earlier or later can make a big difference in airfare price. Travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays for the best deals of all.
 If it's a weekend getaway, save some cash by leaving on a Thursday and returning on a Sunday. (In general, try to avoid holidays.)

Jump on it. When you see the right deal, book it quickly. Airline ticket prices can change within minutes. Coordinate scheduling and make other pre-travel arrangements before you search, so that you can book your fare as soon as you see it.

Broaden your horizons. Once you choose your city, be sure to search multiple neighborhoods to find the best deal. You may be surprised by the great last-minute deals you turn up.

Go off the beaten path. You may find more bargains.

Kari Swartz, leisure travel specialist with Expedia.com

You may find an incredible deal at the last minute, but there are risks. When you see a good price, lock it in.

Set a budget. That way you'll avoid credit-card remorse.

Entertain a destination that may not have made your short list.

Be creative. Travel in low season. Go to Las Vegas or the Caribbean in the summer for smaller crowds and better rates. Or go to Orlando when school is in session.

Booking a vacation package is the best way to travel.

From Consumer Reports Travel Letter

A travel agent is the best resource for finding last-minute package deals, as they're kept abreast of many of the last-breaking discounts.

Check out tour operators' Web sites as well as third-party sites such as Site59, LastMinuteTravel.com and 11thhourvacations.com for last-minute discount offerings.

Don't wait until the last minute to look for a cruise deal. The key to capturing bargains is booking about a month in advance.

Seek out cruise consolidators, who make comparison shopping easier, and occasionally offer rates even lower than what you'd find on the cruise lines' site.

Register online with several major airlines to be e-mailed bargain "e-fares" each week. Also log on to the major travel booking sites; just make sure to comparison shop by going to the airlines' own sites.

For a hotel deal, visit the hotel chains' Web sites to look for getaway promotions or weekend specials.

Call the individual hotel and ask if any specials, upgrades or lower rates are available.

Bob Albert, general manager of Site59

Know what the price includes. A great last-minute deal doesn't mean you have to take a leap of faith by paying before you know the details such as an unknown hotel or a less-than-desirable flight itinerary. Unlike Site59, some sites give only a booking window (morning, afternoon, night) while others don't display the airline information until after you submit a credit card.

Know your options. You never know when you might want to get away, so it's always best to be informed. Sign up for e-mail notices.