Do cheap 'last minute' holidays still exist?

adonis10 · 24 June 2019 at 10:02AM

We have all heard about the bargains that can be had if one manages to get a truly last minute holiday but is this a thing of the past? For the past 5-6 years we have always planned our holidays well in advance, bought flights and hotels separately to maximise value and freedom but this year we are on a strict budget due to our wedding being in August and are exploring the idea of a week somewhere in July. Budget may not allow but if we can get a truly last minute deal that is affordable, it is something we will go for. However, I wonder if this is still a 'thing' these days (to be honest I've never had a 'I can go tomorrow so what is available?' holiday).

It would have to be in the period 20th-28th July so appreciate that we will be stung with the school holiday premium(oh works in a school so we are used to this!) and we are happy for it to be something nice and relaxed on a Greek Island, Italy, Spain etc.

Any advice appreciated.

heatherw_01 · 24 June 2019 at 11:54AM

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adonis10 · 24 June 2019 at 9:37PM

Bump.......

zagfles · 24 June 2019 at 10:12PM

We tend to book holidays a month or two in advance (which some would class as "last minute") and have had some good package deals in the school holidays over the last few years, region of £250pp for week's B&B or £400 for AI to well rated places.

If you're looking for dirt cheap go tomorrow type deals these don't seem to be as common as they were.

fifeken · 24 June 2019 at 10:12PM

In general, no. Here's a discussion on it from last week.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=6015457

richardw · 25 June 2019 at 8:38AM

They are on sale now, so what’s the best you can find for your dates?
What’s the best diy holiday you can find as a comparison?

Doshwaster · 25 June 2019 at 9:48AM

I'm sure DIY can be done cheaply at the last minute as long as you are flexible on where you go. Go just to SkyScannner and choose "Everywhere" as your destination. if you want to go somewhere specific then you are unlikely to get any deals

I'm not usually a fan of All Inclusive/Package holidays but they can be very cheap for last minute bookings when they have inventory to shift.

[Deleted User] · 26 June 2019 at 10:01AM

I think it's about knowing when the good deals are likely to happen.
Which are almost always off-season and out of school holidays.
We've had some cracking Caribbean deals for the "shoulder " period around late Sept-Oct when the summer season ends and the Christmas season starts.
Ten days AI in Barbados including flights and about $150 in meal vouchers for island restaurants all for around £900pp was one memorable trip.
Likewise,when we had our place in Florida we scored some fabulous charter flight deals into the less well-known Orlando Sanford for as low as £175 return in Feb/March.
It's definitely worth signing up to bargain consolidators like Holiday Pirates and Secret Flying where we got these deals.
And travel light to avoid baggage charges.It's more than 25 years since we last put anything in a plane hold.
Funnily enough yesterday I booked a week on Rhodes leaving this Friday with Jet2.
They were offering £100pp off and we got the last two seats.
Just over a grand for two people.

annabanana82 · 26 June 2019 at 1:28PM

Why don't you run some dummy bookings on TUI? I keep an eye on these and there seems to be some good bargains, have seen a week recently for £160. Not had the chance to take advantage of these yet and due to health issues with my Husband we are likely to be hammered on the travel insurance.

zagfles · 26 June 2019 at 5:51PM

Deleted_User wrote: »

I think it's about knowing when the good deals are likely to happen.
Which are almost always off-season and out of school holidays.
We've had some cracking Caribbean deals for the "shoulder " period around late Sept-Oct when the summer season ends and the Christmas season starts.
Ten days AI in Barbados including flights and about $150 in meal vouchers for island restaurants all for around £900pp was one memorable trip.
Likewise,when we had our place in Florida we scored some fabulous charter flight deals into the less well-known Orlando Sanford for as low as £175 return in Feb/March.
It's definitely worth signing up to bargain consolidators like Holiday Pirates and Secret Flying where we got these deals.
And travel light to avoid baggage charges.It's more than 25 years since we last put anything in a plane hold.
Funnily enough yesterday I booked a week on Rhodes leaving this Friday with Jet2.
They were offering £100pp off and we got the last two seats.
Just over a grand for two people.

Those prices aren't particularly cheap! We've had better deals in the school holidays, as above.

[Deleted User] · 27 June 2019 at 2:13PM

zagfles wrote: »

Those prices aren't particularly cheap! We've had better deals in the school holidays, as above.

You got to Florida for less than £175 return during school holidays ?
AND you got flights and 10 days at a good All-Inclusive in Barbados for less than £90 a day ?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Do cheap 'last minute' holidays still exist?

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