7. Negotiating It Is A Process And Skill-Set That Requires Attention And Mastery


Even though this deals with short-notice, 11th hour, last minute travel, there are still some important consideration to keep in mind:

Regardless of whether you are planning way in advance, locking in a price or flexible enough to wait until last minute, taking advantage of deeply discounted fares and travel deals, there are options to suit every pocket, taste and travel budget!

Making the decision to invest in some cancellation insurance and travel medical insurance is still smart and advisable. Protect yourself and your travel investment as best you can.

Some other tips for the budget conscious, might be

 selecting the neighborhood-friendly hotel that caters to the local crowd, not the pricy touristy options necessarily, a bit removed or off the beaten path maybe it might actually be much cheaper too
 Value and hospitality can make all the difference no matter where you are. They can be a valuable local resource or source of information that can make your stay memorable and enjoyable, albeit short!
 However, if you do choose the upscale hotel, always ask about the best available rate upon check in and/or any discounts or special offers at check-in
 Call on and use the concierge or check-in desk services, they are your link to the corner of the world you find yourself in.
 They are there for that special insider and local insights, tips and expertise at your disposal that can make your trip truly memorable. It is like having a walking, talking tour-guide and information source right there, at your side and disposal. Utilize it to your advantage. Get tips on eats and activities, shopping, entertainment and events in the area FREE OF CHARGE!
 There are lots of unique ways to learn about what is waiting, to make your trip and experience that more special and memorable.
 Other things they just might be able to help you with are handy referrals and ideas on what things might cost, book ground transportation and much, much more.

Get as much information beforehand about where you are traveling to, how long the flight is, the connections, cheapest flights, package deals, discounts and special offerings or limited deals. Empower yourself with knowledge and pricing to not be taken advantage of, exploited or extorted, or being taken for a ride, even falling victim to misrepresentation or false information.

No matter whom you book with or through, all topical and relevant destination information, trip details and any additional information that you might require, should also be available upon request. Feel free to ask any questions, concerns or raise issues and address uncertainties at the time of booking, PRIOR to committing funds and confirming the reservation.

Last minute cruises and short notice travel bargains are often updated and reflective of the almost real-time offerings that are available in the marketplace. If you are trying to save on short notice flights and you do not have the luxury of booking early to optimize pricing, there are some strategies that you can follow:

Life is pretty much unpredictable and we can not always plan for everything. So what to do when you are stuck having to book traveling last minute? Sometimes airfares can be three or four times as high as normal. Finding the lowest fare applies for everyone, even business travelers. It could be as simple as a few empty or extra seats on a flight. When they are filled or taken, the deals typically stop or run out. Airlines will rather settle for reduced fare and incoming revenue than suffering a loss.

Last minute websites are popping up everywhere. They are increasingly becoming a popular choice, especially for those who are not committed to going anywhere in particular or specific preferences or requirements. Cheaply and spontaneous are the keywords for this type of travel. Discounts abound and some airlines even offer these deals online. What you need to look for to find these specials are promotions or special discounts.

Shop around for connections and departures that work and are affordable. Bidding for last minute seats on carriers in recent years have also not been left to the desperate or insider market. Increasingly people are utilizing these 24-hr type travel solutions to get them where they have to go. Unsold inventories are typically the best way to discounts for airfare.

Something referred to as bereavement fares are not really deals. They are 50% discounted fares for those attending a funeral for example. Eligibility guidelines and criteria are spouses, grandchildren, children, parents, grandparents and aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces of the dearly departed.

Discount carriers are another option for cheaper pricing for flights. They do not typically penalize you as much for changes or have outrageous fares.

Some other creative ways individuals have been able to cash in as it were on cheaper fares, are by acting as a courier for companies. The catch they have is that as a passenger-carrier, you are required to surrender your luggage allowance and live with a carry-on bag, but you might be able to get fares even for cross-Atlantic flights for 0 US!

Priceline and Hotwire are two innovative bidding travel solutions. They do come with some risk and are popular due to their you-name-your-price type concepts and operating principles. Tickets are typically non-refundable and with no change options. If the ticket is purchased you have no choice of airline or flight, it is set. You can often select your day of departure, but not necessarily the time of the flight. If you are flexible in your travel itinerary, this could be of huge benefit to you. It does remain somewhat purchasing of travel a bit sight-unseen or blind, according to some. You do not know quite what you will get. There are elements of uncertainty. Credit cards are also automatically booked and are at times non-refundable. Check the details PRIOR to bidding or booking with online auctions. They are typically online travel auction providers with deep discounts and special offers, last minute deals and discounted travel packages with very low fares.

With all airfare type savings, the trick is to find some deals and book them quickly. It is really as simple as that. Even major routes and corridors will have empty seats and this will fuel this market and interest every time around.

If you get bumped in a position where a flight is oversold, you may qualify for a free flight next time round. Airlines again will rather give away a free ticket than risk having an empty seat and no incoming revenue! Sometimes airlines only offer discounts, not free tickets, but it is worth finding out. Find out and confirm all details prior to giving up your seat so easily!

For hotel rooms, there are always room tax (as high as 13% in cases), which is inevitable. You have to be aware of and pay them. Most discover this fact upon check out. Mini-bars are notoriously overprices, so a hands-off rule is a good thing to have. In-room movies are expensive as well. Expensive or valet parking service is another way for hotels to make money. Phone services and long distance changes are typically high. Avoid requesting extras, they might almost always be at additional cost.

Online bidding is fair game these days and there are numerous discussion boards and blogs on how to be successful on the most recognized sites like priceline and hotwire. Remember with this type of bookings there really are no guarantees and if your bid is too low, you will be out of luck completely. It is a chance that you are taking.

There are also lots of success stories about bidding and actually getting the price you want to pay for your travel by some clever maneuvering and travel booking smarts. It pays to read through these and use them as words to the wise!

The following is an example of a checklist that you can use when bidding for a hotel room through one of these online auction-bid type clearinghouse travel transactions and solutions:

 Familiarize yourself with what the exact or ballpark going rate through is. You can use the web sites of major airlines, hotels, car rental firms, and others.
 Sites like Expedia and Travelocity can also be utilized in your search to gather data.

 If you are shopping for hotels, start with the four-stars and then move down to the two stars, review successful and unsuccessful bids online and respond with this information on hand for reference to guide your decisions and bids.
 There are no guarantees and numerous factors that affect the price and successful bid. Market conditions, demand, economics, time of year, major events and more.
 The toughest lesson to learn from online travel auctions and biddings is to BE PATIENT and PERSISTENT! Do not be too quick to put in a higher or lower bid. BE SMART ALL-ROUND!

If weekend escapes are for you, last-minute deals are easy to find. Most people crave and want the weekend away, but most (mistakenly), think that they cannot afford it. Big city breakaways, country retreats and even destination or exotic, romantic getaways fall into this category of popular choice.

Getting there and back and finding a place to sleep and eat, getting around while there, are all top priorities for travelers, so the industry answers the call with package deals that make the trip more alluring and typically more affordable too. Bundling in this case, of these services, will be a little cheaper than securing them separately on your own.

Paying attention to the little details and costs that add up quickly is to be recommended. Reasonable room rates, good affordable parking, ground transportation like taxi cabs can be a little expensive too. In most major cities there are free shuttle, bus or trolley services and using public transit is also an option. Entertainment and sightseeing passes, city tours are great deals too as they again bundle together a couple of touristy attractions and discount it to make it more appealing and affordable.

If you want to see just how pervasive this trend and how appealing some of this pricing is, just type into any search engine the words last minute holiday and see what pops up. It will be overwhelming at first, but once you start to sift through the clutter, the major players and legitimate providers are doing a great job at getting the word out on what they are trying to achieve and you will see some great last minute deals cross your path. DO NOT MISS OUT! ACT QUICKLY!

Still remaining diligent and practical despite the fact that you are dealing with short notice travel, does not really change all that much.
Verifying and confirming details, being skeptical of deals that just simply sound too good to be true can normally be seen as protecting your interest and investment dollar. When in doubt, PASS!

Discount travel package deals always sound like such a bargain. They typically are. They tend to be mostly priced better and lower. Ensure that you know about all the details and implications of the cancellation and refund policy. Scrutinize the fine print and calculate what the financial impact would be. How much money will you likely lose or forfeit? What are the risks involved?

Almost without exception, paying attention to travel and medical insurance will be considered smart and advisable. We will say it again. DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO SKIMP ON THESE!

Budgeting a little extra for the inevitable or unexpected, will serve you and your interest pretty well. Do not leave yourself in a lurch or difficult situation. Even incidentals can start adding up! Avoid any penalties or late check-out fees.




Booking and administration fees, commissions and the like, have to be clarified upfront. Ensure that you are aware of any and all charges, taxes and request a breakdown for all charges billed to your credit card.

When it comes to meals and all inclusive last minute deals, be sure to confirm. Drinks are typically extra as are some meals, snacks, room service and the like. Confirm if you are unsure. Finding out about all associated costs of your trip will safeguard you against surprises, shocks or over-spending.