With vacation season in full swing, some of you might be wanting a holiday but not have anything booked yet. Don’t worry, the summer holidays aren’t ruined. You can still go on holiday, even travel and stay in luxury, with a last-minute deal.
There are several smart ways to find and book last-minute luxury travel deals without breaking the bank. The more you save money on travel and hotels, the more you can spend enjoying yourself!
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Make the most of your vacation with these five last-minute luxury travel ideas that will have you soaking up the sun or going somewhere exotic.
1. Use Flash Sale Travel Sites That Offer Luxury Vacations
A good starting point for luxury travel deals is the sites that are literally dedicated to selling exactly those types of offers, like Vacations to Go (cruises), Secret Escapes, Luxury Escapes, and Voyage Privé.
All of those were created to solve one of the biggest issues in the travel industry: People want luxury but don’t want or can’t afford premium prices, and hotels, resorts and airlines have spare rooms and seats they can’t fill.
You really can get amazing last-minute resort, hotel, and tour deals at 30% to 70% off the advertised premium rates. This could also be the easiest solution if you don’t have a lot of time to find something suitable, know what your budget is, and either have somewhere specific in mind or are flexible on where and when you go.
Depending on what’s on offer, you might even get bonus perks like spa credits, room upgrades or free breakfast. It could be useful to set alerts or sign up for newsletters so you don’t miss out on offers.
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2. Use Credit Card Travel Portals and Points Smartly
If you’re a credit card user who has travel points built in, then this could be another smart way to make the most of those points and offers.
Some credit cards may provide cardholder-exclusive deals and five-star options. This can include last-minute redemptions or “pay with points,” which can offset more expensive luxury travel, even if the amount saved isn’t huge.
It’s worth signing-up for any newsletters these cards have specifically about offers, so you don’t miss out on some last-minute luxury. You can also use points to cover luxury stays during off-peak midweek bookings.
3. Book Hotels Through VIP or Preferred Partner Programs
Another way to benefit from luxury travel without the premium price tag is to use VIP or preferred partner programs, like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and Chase Renowned Hotels and Resorts. With these, the rates offered often match public prices, but with four-figure value add-ons. That’s where the advantage is.
These complimentary perks can include things like early check-in, late checkout, upgrades, spa deals, wine in your room, and free breakfasts. Or if a hotel has a restaurant, it could include money off a meal or free drinks.
A great way to benefit from these deals is to book one to three days before arrival when hotels are eager to fill empty rooms.
4. Go Direct: Contact Hotels and Resorts for Last-Minute Discounts
Many of the hotels like to keep a couple of rooms vacant in case of walk-ins, or last-minute direct bookings. Not every room is available via holiday platforms like Booking.com and other OTAs (online travel agencies).
One of the reasons for this is that hotels make more money when people book directly, since brands like Expedia charge upwards of a whopping 30% commission!
You should make a shortlist of potential hotels, in case any of the ones you try are fully booked. You might be able to grab yourself a bargain, especially if a hotel has empty rooms and you make a last-minute booking.
The best way to do this is to call or email luxury properties directly, especially independent or boutique brands. Ask them if they have empty rooms or cancellation-based deals. The great thing about this is that direct bookings can unlock exclusive amenities.
When you can, mention celebrating a milestone (like an anniversary) or this being your honeymoon to see if a hotel will throw an upgrade in for free or at a discounted price.
5. Bundle Luxury Flights and Hotels for Package Discounts
Another way to make a saving is to book the hotel and flights as a bundle on platforms like Expedia, Booking.com or eDreams. This can unlock up to 20% to 40% in overall discounts.
For these kinds of discounts, you’ll probably need to go to OTAs, travel agents, or similar, like Expedia, Priceline, Amex Travel, and Costco Travel. It won’t be possible to get a flight booking via a hotel, so the way mentioned above won’t work this time.
It’s also worth checking the price separately compared to a bundled deal. This could also unlock extra rewards like perks or resort credits.
The good news is that last-minute luxury travel deals are everywhere; you just have to do your homework and dig a little deeper to find them.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Find Last-Minute Luxury Travel Deals Without Overpaying
