Are the days of £99 last minute deals long gone now?

aliasojo

Son and his mate want to go somewhere sunny and hot on Saturday for a week, they're now not too fussed where.

I've tried lastminute.com etc and the prices seem to average £350/£400 for half board.

(We figure he'd be better with half board as he'd at least get fed twice a day, no matter what else he did. :rolleyes: )

I was expecting something really cheap since it's so last minute.

Is that around the kind of price he will need to pay?

tiff

I've never seen a bargain like that in the school holidays but yes, I think those type of bargains have gone now.

debs66_2

realistically, i don't think anyone can expect a holiday, inc flight, for £99 - that's not much in today's world. fuel duties have also shot up, so we're waving bye bye to cheap, cheap flights.

i know what you're saying though, i.e. the holiday companies want shut so let them go cheap. the trouble is people cottoned on to that, and tried to book last minute all the time, but the holiday company then couldn't guage how many bookings it could have, so made the incentive to book early. basically, the earliest you can book is now generally the best deal.

that's not to say there aren't deals out there, but the companies now profit from people who want to get away last minute, rather than rewarding them.

you might have to consider making up a holiday with cheap low cost carrier flights, and a hotel, but if you want a package you might pay a bit more. i'm sure someone will be along soon to offer some inspiration for last minute deal sites...

aliasojo

Just shows you how often I go on holiday, lol.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give up on the really cheap idea now and be more realistic.

Off to see what I can find.........


(any suggestions for best place to look? )

debs66_2

hi, i don't ever book late so don't know the sites, but if you do a quick search on this forum i know there have been quite a few posts recently asking for help with last minute holidays, and i think quite a few sites have been bandied around.

good luck. kids eh..?

shadej

Cheap £99 deals usually run from Jan-begin April, Excluding Easter. I went to the Algarves for £86, 3* self catering in Jan with Expedia. Whilst you can get self catering for £99, half board is not gonna happen. Cheapest half board is prob £140-£165. There is no way you will find one at this time of year though. Try https://www.eurocamp.com for cheap accommodation and budget airlines for flights. Also you get people selling their unwanted hols in the travel section of https://www.gumtree.com

lynn44

Try first choice under " late Deals "
We came back from Lanzarote last month,We paid £75 p.p for 2 wks 4* S.C included flights
Also try teletext holidays on line..

Lynsey

Have a look here;

http://www.instantholidays.co.uk/

It gives an idea of what is available. Remember add ons etc.

Lynsey

cargo

http://www.icelolly.com/

Simple and quick to search.

50fogey

Just a thought - with the current horrible financial situation I wonder what the take-up on package holidays has been. Perhaps companies like Cooks and 1st Choice are left with lots of unfilled places, then wont they have to drop last minute prices to fill those places. I have an idea there are bargains to be had if yuo put the work in as per the suggestions on Martin's site. Seems Teletext is always the bechmark for last minute cheap deals. Certainly not below a ton but definitely around the £200 mark should be achievable.

dzug1

50fogey wrote: »

Just a thought - with the current horrible financial situation I wonder what the take-up on package holidays has been. Perhaps companies like Cooks and 1st Choice are left with lots of unfilled places, then wont they have to drop last minute prices to fill those places. .

They might just cancel them altogether instead if their contracts with their suppliers are worded right