What are last-minute bookings?

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Last minute bookings are used by travelers to get a discount on a trip, provided the traveler is willing to be flexible on the exact departure time and sometimes destination as well. Any booking made within a short time frame could be considered a last minute booking, but the term is more commonly used in the context of special offers and promotions. Numerous networks on the Internet specialize in rounding up offers on last minute reservations in locations around the world, sometimes even combining them with car rentals and hotels.

Standalone travel is a last minute type of booking and one of the most common. A stand-alone traveler usually arrives at the airport on the day he plans to depart and registers with an airline, indicating where he would like to go and an acceptable time window. If the airline has space on flights to that destination just prior to departure, the stand-in traveler will be allocated a seat, often at a heavily discounted price. Some travelers prefer to use this travel technique, especially people who are not fussy about exactly when and where to go; sometimes it is possible to fly to another country for the price of a domestic flight. Other travelers are forced to use standa travel due to flight delays or travel emergencies.

Relying on last minute bookings to get an affordable price can be a gamble. Usually the price of the trip rises in the last few days before departure, especially if the destination is a popular location. In an emergency situation, such as the death of a family member, last minute bookings can sometimes be extremely expensive because the traveler cannot afford to be flexible, as they may miss important events. If you find yourself in a situation like this, ask airline staff about bereavement fees and other programs designed to help emergency travelers.

When you plan a trip based on last minute bookings, usually the trip is last minute too. It pays to be flexible; think exploring a new place or trying to catch up with an old friend from college. By broadening the scope of places you’re willing to travel to, you may be able to find a great deal, as many airlines encourage last-minute bookings so their flights are full. An empty seat does not earn money; a discounted seat will at least help pay for the flight costs.

Finding last minute bookings is usually relatively easy. Some airlines have last minute booking sections right on their websites, allowing travelers to browse current special fares, and people who want a wider range of options can use last minute booking websites. These websites collect special offers from airlines, hotels and car rental companies in a central location for convenience, allowing users to search for all special offers in a particular city, specific travel plans or offers in a particular region. Enter “last minute bookings” into your favorite search engine to find one of these resources.

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