1. Consult a Specialist

Travel agents, including Enchanted Travel, have access to airline seats and last-minute hotel reservations that do not show up on airlines’ or hotels’ websites. If you are only seeing sky-high prices for an upcoming trip, don’t assume that cheaper options aren’t available.

2. Opt for a Package

While you could pay a little more for the airfare, bundling your flight, hotel, rental car, and/or activities can often reduce the total cost of a spontaneous vacation. Enchanted Travel can do this for you – in fact, most of the trips we book are sold in a package.

3. Train if Available

Last-minute tickets on Amtrak can be an affordable alternative to short-haul or regional flights. Look for discounted tickets and promotions at amtrak.com/deals.

4. Travel in Low Season

You can often score great last-minute steals on destinations when they are not in high season. For example, you should find better deals for Europe from September through March. On the other hand, for cheap last-minute deals to the Caribbean, opt for travel from May through October.

5. Go Off-Peak

To continue from the previous paragraph, you can also save money by choosing the right days of the week to stay, depending on the destination. For instance, while New York is often cheaper on the weekends since it is a big draw for business travelers, Las Vegas, a popular spot for weekenders, is cheaper during the workweek.

6. Have a Complete Plan

Be careful not to book too fast, suggests Julie Danziger, director of luxury travel services at Ovation Vacations. Don’t grab a great deal on a flight before securing your hotel — especially when traveling during high season. “Too often, travelers book one part of their trip in a rush, only to discover that the other components don’t fall into place,” she says.

7. Try More than One Hotel

Consider packing light and staying at more than one hotel. For instance, if it is cheapest to fly in at say, 8 PM, but you plan to stay at a pricey all-inclusive hotel, consider staying at a cheaper hotel nearby for the first night. That way you will not be paying the all-inclusive fair even though you are checking in late.

8. I Know the Chef

The members-only app I Know the Chef can guarantee seating at dozens of restaurants in Chicago, Miami, and NYC. The $75 quarterly fee is steep, but a 10-day trial is only $25.

9. Other Dining Apps

A spontaneous trip means you will likely not be able to clinch a reservation at the hottest restaurant in town. OpenTable is the go-to booking app for reservations in dozens of cities around the world. Rezhound.com will alert you when a table becomes available on OpenTable. Also check out Resy if you are visiting any of the following cities: NYC, Washington DC, Miami, LA, or San Francisco.

10. Ask Your Concierge

Hotel concierges have connections that can help you score a table at the most popular restaurants in town. Even if they cannot fulfill your biggest request, they will have suggestions for other little-known or up-and-coming hot spots in the area.

11. Consider Breakfast or Brunch

Instead of dinner, an earlier meal could be the next best-thing. It is often much cheaper and you can save money on that night’s dinner!

12. Trust the Locals

If you are traveling last-minute, chances are you haven’t had time to research every last second of your trip. Don’t hesitate to ask shop owners and waiters for recommendations on must-do activities in your area.

13. Book a Private Tour

Tickets to popular sites, such as Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona, or Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, in Milan, can sell out weeks in advance. If a site you have your heart set on is sold out, don’t fret! You may still be able to gain access by booking a private tour. Context Travel, which operates in more than 40 cities globally, gives private tours and can access many top attractions.

Call Enchanted Travel today at 402-281-3022 to start booking your last-minute trip!