Snag a Deal on Last-Minute Holiday Travel

If you have wanted to take a holiday trip but have been too busy working, taking care of the kids or holiday shopping to even think about booking a trip, you probably think it’s too late to make plans and get a good deal.

Think again.

You just never know what deals you will find from destinations that aren’t as touristy as others. Think about sitting on a private beach sipping a pina colada, instead of somewhere where Jack Frost is nipping at your nose and you just might have the best holiday vacation at an affordable price. What a gift!

It’s not too late. It’s all about doing your research and thinking a little out-of-the-box.

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“The holidays can be a very stressful and overwhelming time for many people,” said Lisa Heeter, Dream Vacations Franchise Owner and Vacation Specialist with Chesapeake Travel Group in Glen Burnie, Maryland. “Most people want to go to the most popular places, and those places are also the most crowded and hectic places.”

Instead, Heeter suggests travelers think about what your family likes to do, make a new tradition and find a small town or an out-of-the-way place to spend the holidays.

“Just because it is not on everyone’s top 10 list doesn’t mean that you won’t have the best family vacation ever,” she said. “You might even have more fun.”

Of course, you shouldn’t put off your bookings any longer.

“My rule of thumb is to book ASAP,” said Samarah Meil of Amarillo Travel Network in Amarillo, Texas. “Sometimes we find that traveling on the exact holiday is cheaper than the day or two before or after the holiday.”

But if you can’t travel on the exact holiday, what week should you travel for the best deals?

“The week of December 21 is the peak departure week, but if you travel before the rush during the week of December 7, it will be a lot cheaper,” said Danielle Dougan, public relations manager of Student Universe in Waltham, Massachusetts.

For example, Dougan said that on Student Universe, prices for travel with a departure between December 4-22, 2017 and a return between January 5-19, 2018 start at $79* roundtrip for domestic travel.

“This increases 75% for passengers leaving between 12/22 and 12/25 and returning between 1/12 and 1/18,” she added.

If you have a particular hotel or destination in mind, search their website for deals and you might just find out they are offering something special. For example, if you want to head west to slightly warmer weather, check out Hotel Irvine and Irvine Spectrum Center in Irvine, California, which is offering a special package that goes through 2018.

The package includes a $50 Irvine Spectrum Center gift card, complimentary self-parking or 50% off valet parking at Hotel Irvine, Irvine Spectrum Center valet parking pass, Irvine Spectrum Center Giant Wheel passes for four, Irvine Spectrum Center Carousel passes for four, reusable Irvine Spectrum Center bag, Irvine Spectrum Center reusable water bottle, OC stylish savings book and a $20 gift card to CREAM (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me).

Prices start at $179 per night. For more information, visit http://www.hotelirvine.com/packages.

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Montage Laguna Beach and South Coast Plaza have also partnered for another holiday travel and shopping package that is valid through December 18, 2017.

There is a complimentary photo session and $100 print credit with Pacific Dream Photography, $60 daily dining credit for breakfast at The Loft or in-room dining, complimentary resort fee and valet parking. Package starts at $790 per night; book three nights and the fourth night is free.

At South Coast Plaza, there are 250 boutiques and department stores for you to get your last-minute holiday shopping in. If you reserve two nights in an oceanfront guestroom, you will also receive a daily $60 breakfast credit at The Loft or in-room dining, complimentary resort fee, a $100 gift certificate to South Coast Plaza and entry to its VIP ACCESS Suite. Two-night package starts at $1,520. For more information, visit www.montagehotels.com/lagunabeach.

It’s not too late to snag airfare deals too. Research current prices and watch every day for drops or call your travel agent.

Follow Lisa Iannucci on Twitter at @virgintraveler.