8. GREAT Results Getting Them, Focusing On What To Do And What NOT To Do!


For all- if not most of us - finding the right leisure at the lowest price is probably what appeals most about last-minute travel. But how do you find the inside scoop to be S.C.O.O.T.I.N.G. and making the MOST of your travel solutions, without paying and arm and a leg for it, or a cent MORE than we absolutely have to?

Partner with those who have negotiated the best deal possible on your (and all other fellow-travelers) behalf already. Variety and lowest pricing under one roof and in one value proposition sounds like the perfect solutions and in many cases of 11th hour travel it truly is enough and sufficient to save you some dollars.

Whether you are planning on traveling this weekend or next weekend, the next 3 hrs, 24 hrs or fourteen days, you will fall into this short-notice travel category. Package combinations of car hotel and airfare, some, any or all of the above are possible.



Great ideas and destinations are too many to list or name here. Some are priced under 0 US per person, they could include mini-retreats and vacations, refresher, special events, major city visits or tours, hotel stays, rental cars and airfare. These types of packages can save you time, effort and money.

Traveling for cheap does not have to be an ever-elusive goal. Most of us do not have ready-hand splurge dollars to go wherever we want, when we want, although we would like to! However, there are travel packages and deals that can make some of our travel or destination dreams come true.

You do not need all those thousands of hard-earned dollars or windfalls to make it possible. Most take advantage of booking early and in advance, but not all have discover the secrets and rewards or last minute travel. Taking advantage of the absolute ultimate and best deals that the market has to offer is now a click or call away.

Flexibility, thrill-seekers with an adaptable sense of humor and adventure, willingness to take some risk and willing to travel alone if that is what it takes. Arranging couple or group travel last minute can prove to be near impossible.

As to where to find cheap tickets and travel, most people would head on over to the virtual marketplace. Online sites can help you custom your 11th hour travel to your needs, budget and requirements. Skyauction.com, priceline.com, expedia and hotwire are all examples of these treasure troves of travel deals. Not to forget the other BIG names like Travelocity and Orbitz. From comparison charts to bidding statistics, booking travel has taken on a whole life of its own.



Things to watch out for is sites toting the same last-minute deals over and over. They normally are not as deeply discounted, but not necessarily capitalizes on the last-minute offerings and market in its totality. Booking airfare online is by far the cheapest way to do so.

Airlines have to stay competitive and have an edge. They have to make the most of supply and demand and one way they do that are through discounted fares. Travel agents can offer you numerous discounted and special offers not always available to all. They have the access and the connections. So, although you are paying them, you could benefit substantially from the discounts. Someone else is doing all the grunt, search and legwork for you.

For last minute travelers who are really serious about finding great deals, email and subscription lists are a good way to ensure you get the skinny of real-time, new and exciting deals. Two sites that are often toted as having great services on these fronts are travelzoo.com and lastminutevacations.com. Sometimes there are weekly and/or daily updates on available deals.

When and where are still the major questions and dilemmas or challenges if you will involved with travel, even short notice, last minute and 11th hour travel.
Spend most of your time checking prices and to see if the deal is legitimate. Off-peak and midweek are popular spots to pick. Decreased demand periods are go scoping or targeting areas, times and zones. As are off-season or shoulder season. Holidays and business travel not as much. Packages and deals do not have to be limited to airfare, they can include cars and hotels, meals, activities, events and tourist attractions as well. Saving cash AND having a good time are both priorities with this type of discounted travel.

The travel industry as a market is really starting to open up. Even to individuals like you and me. It is not longer just a privileged few and inner circle who gets to enjoy the bounty. Discount travel is growing and travelers are smart, wising up to working the system and letting the system work for them/us!

Packages deals do not have to be purchased through travel agents or brokers anymore, they are now available online. Airlines, hotel chains, major brand providers, cruise-lines, and tour operators, niche specialists are all getting into the game. This makes for a highly competitive market that you can quite successfully tap into if you have the time, energy and effort to focus a targeted search and personal travel plan campaign, for your last minute travel deals and packages. It will be worth it!

Knowing the value of what you are getting, and not only what you are paying is key to this process. Spotting the best package will also improve with more exposure and experience. Your own expertise will unfold over time. For now, if you have to rely on others to get your results, that is acceptable too.

Wholesale discounts for car rentals for example, will save you a couple of dollars, rather than booking individually or separately with the major carriers directly. This seems counterintuitive, but worth exploring. Knowledge is power - make it work for you.

Deals will come and go. There are lots of variety, choice, some risk involve, BUT ALSO great reward and cost savings to be had. No wonder more and more want in on the last minute deals of the century. There are always some risk with consolidator plane tickets, human error, system failure and most of these transactions are non-refundable.
Here are some handy tips and tricks you could bear in mind when considering any type of discount travel packages, last minute travel deals and/or spontaneous getaways:

 Travel involves money and can be really expensive. Ensure you are aware of the risk, refund and fine print, all financial implications and are well insured. A lot of research and homework needs to be done and is seen as a prerequisite in securing the best possible deal.

 Travel deals enable, empower and share the load of this burden somewhat to an extent. Deeply discounted and even cheap rates are in ample supply. It may benefit a wide selection of diverse travelers of varying means and purpose.

 Business and last minute travelers amongst the most popular pursuers of opportunity, promise and low rates. Here, there is no booking in advance. Convenience bookings online, room specifications and preferences, even bidding how much they would like to pay for is gives them involvement and hands-on engagement in their own travel plans. Most like that an awful lot. In a demanding, society and consumer-driven economy it almost seems logical that this would have unfolded as it did.

 No matter when, where, for how long or how much, travel in itself provides some thrill. Travel and medical insurance can not be under-emphasized DO NTO COMPROMISE on your own safety and wellbeing. This is not the items to be skimpy on or to cut your travel dollar.

A scurried hurrying, frenzy and panic, confusion and even stress, is what typically characterizes last minute travel. There may be legitimate reasons, for booking lat, but it does not make it any easier!
Planning to undertake any journey at the last minute can prove to be challenging. If you have to meander through the maze of online travel deals, booking agents, brokers, wholesales, clearing inventory warehouses and even auctions, you have caught a rare glimpse of this industry and sector of the travel market.

Departures and timing are everything. Flexibility and adaptability, a good sense of humor and traveling Mid-week or off-week times could end up saving you more than merely your dollars, money, it can even save your enjoyment and sanity in the process!

Connecting flights are cheaper than direct flights. A good tip is to subscribe to a number of last minute travel sites. Some offer alerts and email notifications of top deals that become available the moment they land on the marketable. Low and cheap rates are competitively listed and you can make your selection quite easily.

The right approach, negotiation and friendly attitude could help you secure the deals you need.

Affordable travel deals and information are freely available online. Comparisons and once in a lifetime deals and travel packages are large in number and awaiting your investment in time, effort and dollar spent!

Comparison-shopping and comparison rates can go a long way in getting you the best possible deal(s) even if it is short-notice, last minute or 11th hour travel.

The following tips help in finding the best travel deals:



 BEING FLEXIBLE and open-minded
 TRAVELING SMART and avoiding busy times, peak seasons, holidays and business hour travel. In this case do not follow the crowd!
 BE CREATIVE with locations and departures: Other airports and travel connections
 Consult with agencies and websites do your homework. Avoid being taken advantage of for lack of knowledge, some defraud travelers on discounts and deals, just to get their hands on the travel dollars or commissions, booking fees and volume.
 DO NOT EVER feel pressured into accepting any deal, if you feel uncomfortable or uneasy.
 CHECK AND VERIFY the reputability, track record and legitimacy of the booking, reservation agent, channel that you choose to use.