by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: January 17, 2010

If you're the sort of person who habitually waits until the last minute to make your plans for spring break, you may be out of luck when it comes to many of the trendy and popular places that college students and others like to visit.  On the other hand, if you are open to different possibilities, you may be able to get a steal of a deal. Waiting until the last minute can get you an airline ticket that may cost half of what you would have had to pay for it if you'd bought your ticket when everyone else was buying theirs.

Here are some tips to help you find some great last minute travel deals.

*Check out websites -

The discount travel websites may be able to get you a better deal than what you could find if you were to try to go through a specific airline. Places like Cheap Tickets often have great deals and the site doesn't charge fees for air tickets. Check out their deal of the week.

*Look at budget airlines -

Look into budget airlines who regularly offer rock bottom prices on air fares. An airline like Southwest may be able to get you a one way ticket for as little as $59, and although it is a no frills airline, you won't have to pay to check your baggage. The down side of flying on an airline like Southwest is that the number of flights to any given place are often very limited, and they often fly into secondary airports.

*Look at newspaper ads -

If you're able to check out newspaper ads, you will find that many airlines advertise their best deals, and they do so on a regular basis. The deals typically sound really great, so be sure to read the fine print to see what the catch is. A ticket may be really cheap, but if there are all sorts of additional fees associated with traveling on that airline, that ticket won't wind up being that cheap after all.

*Look for package deals -

Many places offer special package deals. If you are able to travel at a non-peak time, a package deal can be a great bargain. If you go through a site like Cheap Tickets,Orbitz or Priceline, you can take care of everything at one time. Make sure there are no extra fees associated with making reservations this way.

*Look at airline websites -

Many airlines will offer special or last minute deals for people who decide to travel on the spur of the moment. Find out what the time-line for these deeply discounted trips is. If it's a deal for a quick weekend trip to someplace, it won't do you much good. If it's a deal that allows you more flexibility, that's even better.

If you are booking at the last minute, sometimes going the cheapest economy route can be best. If you are okay about being locked into a reservation, this won't be a problem. If on the other hand, there's a possibility your plans could change, then you do have a problem. Also find out what kind of assistance an airline will give you if you purchase the cheapest ticket and your flight has to be canceled for weather-related conditions. If they can't promise to put you on the next flight, you may find yourself stranded at home and not able to get to where you're going for several days.

It is possible to find those great last minute deals. The best way to do so is to devote some time to researching what is available. Compare prices at various websites. Before you go ahead and make such a reservation, be sure you have a clear understanding about any potential fees you will be charges, surcharges, and what sort of flexibility you have regarding changing any part of your reservation. When you get a great deal at the last minute, you will be able to use that extra money while on your vacation, and that will make it all the more enjoyable.

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