Do last-minute deals still exist?!

dancingsammyt

Myself, my OH and 2 friends are hoping to go on holiday during the summer holidays. As 3 of us work in a school, we have to go during the 6 week hols which I know is generally more expensive than other times of the year. We moved house this year and don't have lots of money to spare, however none of us have had a 'hot' holiday for at least 5 years and are desperate to go somewhere other than the UK! I have heard about late deals where you go to a travel agent and be prepared to leave within a matter of days, we are pretty happy to do that as we are flexible on destinations and travel dates (as long as it's within the hols). I was wondering if these deals (a) still exist, even during the difficult economic climate, (b) genuinely are cheaper than booking in advance and (c) were also available in the summer holidays?
Has anyone else had any experience of booking late deals during school hols and was it worth it?

dancingsammyt

anyone??!!

tiannaleigh

two years ago,I booked a holiday to mexico,ten days before we went,we only paid £900 for 2weeks all inclusive/transfers/flights ect,this should have cost us £2700.
They always have cancilations ,even in thease hard times its better to put someone on an empty seat an receive some money,than leave it empty

miamoo

During the school holidays there will be less choice, but the deals will still be there. For example look at may half term prices now, and then check them again 3 days before, you will without a doubt save hundreds of pounds.
Like the above poster we payed £2800 for a £4400 holiday to mexico booking a month in advance (was even cheaper a week before but we wanted to get booked)
We paid £240pp for a week all inc to turkey 5* by booking late (should of been £550pp) so definately book last min for the best deals!

richardw

Where in the Uk are you based?

poundshopbrown

a few things i have done in the past is to fly out with one airline and fly back with another! we went away for new year to the canaries a return flight to las palmas was £400 each if booked with bmi, a one way ticket there was £49 we came back with thomas cook and the return price was £36. so a return was less than £90 quite a saving!

stephb34

Have you had a look to see how much a holiday would actually cost you if you booked it now, there are some really good deals on at the moment and you may be surprised and get a bargain, which would give you something to look forward to in these miserable times.

Diamond_Olly

If the tour operators and charter flight operators don't get the volume of bookings they need this year, my suspicion is that they will start cancelling flights and doing some consolidation. e.g. if Thomas Cook or Thomson or whoever have 2 flights a day to a particular destination and both are half full, they will cancel one and put everyone on the same flight.

It's always hard to know what late bookings will be available as we don't know yet how the travelling public will be booking this year. Lots of people are risking leaving it late to book- but this gives 2 possibles - 1. no flights available as the tour operators can't hold on waiting for people to book the day before 2. prices will be high to cover the lower number of bookings.

Like Steph says, look now and see what the prices are - might be better this year.

Booking patterns are very unpredictable this year!

WishI'dReadSooner

You have 4-5 weeks in which to get a bargain - depending on whether you want 1 or 2 weeks. If you are also flexible as to where you go - anywhere as long as it's 'hot'? You should get a great deal.

There will ALWAYS be cancellations. We've done the last minute thing for many years - when a great deal comes up we book it. Booked anywhere from 3 weeks in advance to the day before. We're always the ones who keep quiet about how much we paid, often just move the decimal point a place.

Last year not so great as we just managed to about halve the last holiday we had BUT we wanted to go to one particular destination - had we been more flexible we'd have got a better bargain.

Go for it, :j flexability is the key, datewise & destination wise.:beer:

hearts

WishI'dReadSooner wrote: »

You have 4-5 weeks in which to get a bargain - depending on whether you want 1 or 2 weeks. If you are also flexible as to where you go - anywhere as long as it's 'hot'? You should get a great deal.

There will ALWAYS be cancellations. We've done the last minute thing for many years - when a great deal comes up we book it. Booked anywhere from 3 weeks in advance to the day before. We're always the ones who keep quiet about how much we paid, often just move the decimal point a place.

Last year not so great as we just managed to about halve the last holiday we had BUT we wanted to go to one particular destination - had we been more flexible we'd have got a better bargain.

Go for it, :j flexability is the key, datewise & destination wise.:beer:

So where do you look for the deals?

WishI'dReadSooner

hearts wrote: »

So where do you look for the deals?

Where don't I look might be the best answer! I spend a good few days looking for the BEST deal. I also check out all the holiday company websites for their cheapest holidays and/or flights - have booked flight only & found own accommodation. GOLDEN RULE - delete your cookies before you look the 2nd time as so many sites remember you & the prices increase.

Got quite a few off here & Hotdeals - especially good for airfares, the airfare glitches we've found here made for inexpensive trips to US to see the family. We've often booked these months in advance instead of last minute. You just need to know a good price when you see it & then book it FAST!

Teletext is worth a try, Newspaper offers, Auctions, Lastminute etc. etc.