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The Best Sites and Apps for Finding Last-Minute Travel Deals

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Last-Minute Flight Deals

Google Flights

Google Flights is a search engine that gathers fares from other travel sites. According to CNET, it bests other travel search sites , due to the fact that it's super speedy (plug in your dates, departure, and arrival destinations, and flights pop up almost instantaneously). If you can be flexible, leave your destination blank and then scroll through the list of cities that pop up to find the cheapest flights for your upcoming dates.

Cheapoair.com

Cheapoair.com is all about discounted flights. Click on its "Last Minute Flights" tab to find the absolute cheapest rates (if you're interested, book it as soon as possible before it goes up!). A recent sweet deal was a roundtrip flight from Philadelphia to Orlando starting at $81 (2 weeks out from departure date). There's also a toll-free number to call to hear about unpublished fares.

Vayama.com focuses on international flights, and there are always good last-minute deals to be found right on the homepage, so you don't have to go clicking around. A recent search saw an American Airlines offer from New York to Casablanca, Morocco, starting at $676 (2 weeks out from departure date). Also, check out its "Trending Deals" section for the most up-to-date offerings.

Last-Minute Hotel Deals

HotelTonight

While this app lets you book up to a week in advance (or 100 days in advance for stays up to 14 nights), it's really geared to last-minute bookings, so if there's a hotel you've had your eye on, this is your chance to stay there at a reduced rate. Deals go live each day at noon, and there are thousands of hotels to choose from, including the Mondrian in Miami. Download for iTunes and Google Play .

Another last-minute hotel-booking app is One:Night, which lists its same-day offers starting at 3 p.m. Though operated by Standard International — the parent company behind Standard Hotels, which are listed already — it also has several other stylish hotels, such as New York's Gramercy Park Hotel and LA's Viceroy L’ermitage Beverly Hills. Download for iTunes and Google Play .

While this last-minute hotel-booking app got its start as a website in England in 1999, it now has access to more than 200,000 properties around the world (but it offers more U.K. hotels than anyone else, including places like London's Radisson Blu Edwardian Grafton and the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton in Scotland). Download for iTunes and Google Play .

Last-Minute Travel Booking Site Deals

LastMinuteTravel.com

With a site called LastMinuteTravel , you can expect prime deals for spur-of-the-moment travelers. The site offers deals on everything from flights and hotels to car rentals and packages, so you're sure to find something. A recent search found a four-star Berlin hotel for $96 per night. Other sites to check out include LastMinute.com and GoLastMinute.com .

Priceline.com

Priceline basically offers one-stop shopping: Not only can you book your hotel room, but your flight, rental car, and cruise as well. It still has the "Name Your Own Price" feature for choosing hotels, which offers steep discounts (if you don't mind not knowing where you'll be staying until you book). Its app has app-only hotel deals, including super last-minute deals with its "Tonight Only" feature.

Expedia allows you to save big when you bundle a trip — meaning book your hotel and airfare together — and often has great last-minute prices, but for its most up-to-the-minute offerings, check the Unreal Deals tab. A recent search turned up a 4-night trip to Vegas, with a stay at The Palazzo tower (within the The Venetian), including airfare, from $605 per person (2 weeks out from departure date).

Last-Minute Vacation Package Deals

Gate 1 Travel

Gate 1 Travel has vacation packages to almost every corner of the world. It offers escorted travel packages, as well as independent trips. A recent independent vacation to Milan, featuring airfare, 4 nights of accommodations, and daily breakfast was going for $769 a month out. While there are always good deals on the site, you can also check its "Last Minute" section for the latest offerings.

CheapCaribbean.com

Who doesn't want to save money on a tropical getaway to the Caribbean or Mexico, perhaps places like Aruba and Cancun ? Find all the latest affordable last-minute deals under CheapCaribbean's "Nice Packages" tab — a recent offering for an all-inclusive resort on Mexico's Riviera Maya for 3 nights, including airfare, was going for $599 (down from $1,229) 2 weeks out.

Last-Minute Cruise Deals

CruiseCompete.com

If cruises are your thing — or even if you are a first-timer — you can get quotes from multiple travel agencies to get awesome last-minute deals through CruiseCompete.com . Check its Super Cruise Specials, where a recent deal included a 7-night Mediterranean cruise from Miami, starting at $445 (one month out). You can also get special deals, such as two-for-one cruises and select sailings where kids cruise free.

Under Cruise.com's Last Minute Cruises section (in the Cruise Deals section), you'll find lots of discounted sailings, including a 4-day Western Caribbean cruise from $279 per person departing from Miami, less than a week out. There was also a 4-day Bahamas cruise for $378 per person a month out.

Jill is the former travel editor at BestProducts.com, showing her expertise on everything from the Best Rooftop Bars in NYC to the 30 Most Beautiful Cities in the World;  the NYC native has previously worked at Travel & Leisure and has written articles for The New York Times , InStyle, Huffington Post , and Fodors . Recent trips have included the Bahamas and Natchez, and Patagonia and Vietnam are high on the bucket list. Though she’ll deny it, she is kind of obsessed with buying refrigerator magnets from the places she visits.

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Hotwire Vacation Packages Deals

Don’t let the humdrum of planning a trip suck all the fun out of your getaway. Leave the tedious work up to Hotwire so you can spend more time focusing on which restaurants you’re going to try and all the activities you want to complete during your trip. Hotwire’s philosophy is simple. Book with us so you can stop planning and start exploring!

With Hotwire, searching for and creating your own cheap vacation packages is easy. Just plug in your destination, pick any combination of flights, hotels, or car rentals and boom, you’ll have your list of cheap vacations. You can bundle flight and hotel packages for an incredibly low price.

Vacationing on a whim? Trust Hotwire to get you affordable last-minute vacation deals.

Hotwire does the planning; you do all the saving. By spending less, you’ll have more money to explore and discover. Make a reservation at that hot new restaurant. Take the helicopter tour. Buy the shoes you’ve been eyeing since you got here. That’s the point of vacation, right?

Or better yet, start planning your next trip with the money left over in your travel fund. Just got back from lounging on a beach getaway? Next, maybe it’s time to head to the mountains.

Whatever awesome adventure you can dream up, Hotwire will get you an amazing price on your vacation getaway deal. So, what are you waiting for? Get booking and start packing. Hotwire is here to help you score a cheap flight and hotel package with the least amount of effort.

*Savings based on all vacation package bookings with Flight + Hotel on Hotwire.com and its affiliated brands, as compared to price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.

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Best Websites to Book a Last Minute Vacation

Megan Johnson

Megan is a Senior Editor, SEO for SmarterTravel Media.

Megan started with SmarterTravel Media’s Airfarewatchdog way back in 2008, moved over to FamilyVacationCritic, and finally SmarterTravel in 2021. Originally from Massachusetts, she has lived in Nova Scotia, London, and New York City. She has spent nearly every summer (or at least part of it) on Prince Edward Island. She has started to go out of her comfort zone while traveling- most recently exploring caves and boogie boarding on a FlowRider.

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Sometimes you just need to getaway. If your wanderlust gets the best of you and the traveler inside is itching to hit the road, there are plenty of websites and apps out there to help—fast. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a full-blown vacation, these sites can help you find great last minute travel deals.

Best Websites for Last Minute Flights

Finding flights can be a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be! There are loads of ways to find cheap flights from your favorite airline, even if you are going away in the near future.

1. Google Flights

One fun way to find last minute flights is to plug your departure city and travel dates into Google Flights , leaving your destination blank. The resulting map shows you the lowest available prices to cities all over the world, letting you find deals in places you might not have ever thought to go.

Kayak’s Explore feature is a similar tool. You can enter exact travel dates or a certain month, then see which fares are available from your home gateway. 

3. Secret Flying

You can get alerts when fares go down when you sign up at Secret Flying , or, use their search tool to find great last minute deals on flights. Simply input your departure city, keep the arrival as “anywhere” and put the current month as the time you are looking to fly. Perfect for when you just want to get away, but you don’t care where to. Secret Flying also finds “mistake” fares, so be sure to sign up to get notifications so you can book them before they are gone! 

The 12 Best Flight Search Sites for Booking Cheap Airfare

Where to Find Last Minute Hotel Deals

You’d think that every hotel would have cheap rooms last minute, but that isn’t always the case. These sites will help you find a room that won’t break the bank with a spur of the moment trip! 

1. Hotel Tonight

A perennial favorite app among SmarterTravel editors, HotelTonight has been finding travelers’ deep hotel discounts since 2010. The app allows travelers to book same-day accommodations across the globe at discounts of up to 50 percent. If you don’t want to leave things until the literal last minute, though, the app also lets you book dates a little further out. The well-designed booking engine serves up clever recommendations and insider info—plus those remarkable markdowns. Keep an eye out for the Daily Drop, the biggest discount of the day (which you only have 15 minutes to book).

The site is known for discounted restaurant meals, fitness classes, and beauty services also has a last minute deals section that typically includes discounted hotel and resort stays. On the day I checked, options ranged from a $69 hotel near Niagara Falls to a four-star Times Square hotel for $77 a night.

3. Trip.com

Trip.com is your basic hotel booking site, and is great for finding a last minute deal. While they feature hotels all around the world, it’s particularly great for deals on hotels in Asia, so when you grab an amazing last minute flight to somewhere in Asia, head to trip.com to book your hotel! 

4. Last Minute Travel

As its name suggests, Last Minute Travel is dedicated solely to last minute travel deals. This wide-ranging site offers bargains on hotels, car rentals, cruises, transfers, and activities. Their hotel deals are amazing.  In a sample search, I found top-rated hotels in Paris from just $54 per night for a trip about two weeks out. The site has a Last Minute Travel Club for deeper discounts and rewards points to use toward free hotel stays. Membership is $50 per year.

The 15 Best Hotel Booking Sites

Amazing Last Minute Vacation Packages

Sometimes, booking a vacation package is the cheapest way to go for last minute travel. These sites are the best for one-stop shopping.

1. Airfarewatchdog

SmarterTravel’s sister site Airfarewatchdog has a nifty Weekender tool that lets you find a flight/hotel vacation package for upcoming weekends, just click the link and let the site do the rest of the work. 

2. CheapCaribbean.com

If you have a specific destination in mind, your best bet is often to focus on a website that deals with one region specifically. CheapCaribbean.com has last minute deals , many of them short-lived flash sales. Though you can’t hem and haw about whether or not to go, you’ll often have plenty of time to plan. For example, a four-night air/hotel package to the Dominican Republic might start at $509 per person for travel four to six months from now—but it must be booked in the next four days.

3. FunJet Vacations 

Book your flight and hotel together at FunJet Vacations . If you have a place in mind, enter the dates you want to go and the destination, and it will give you the best flight and hotel deals available. Their sales are great if you are open to where you want to go, and often have dates for travel within the month. 

The 14 Best Vacation Rental Sites for Travelers

Affordable Last Minute All-Inclusive Deals

A vacation where everything is paid for in advance may seem a luxury to some people, but it is actually quite affordable. These sites will help you find the best all-inclusive deals, so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the sun! 

1. Sandals Resorts

Sandals resorts has great deals for last minute travel. You often can get one night free, and when you start the booking process, have the option of booking your flight as well. You may even find availability for travel within the week. 

2. Club Med

When it comes to all-inclusive, Club Med usually comes to mind. Like Sandals, they often have fantastic last minute deals for when you are looking to book without much time to plan. Club Med has locations all over the world, including Mexico, Canada and all over the Caribbean – perfect for a cheap getaway.

3. Travelzoo

This venerable travel site offers last minute deals on just about everything, but their all-inclusive search is one of the best as far as the bigger sites go. When I searched, I found a package for an all-inclusive stay in Cabo, including airfare, for $739, for travel next week. 

Ditch the Hotel: 10 Cheaper Ways to Save

How to Find Great Deals on Last Minute Tours

If you prefer having an itinerary made for you, and, let’s face it, if you are taking a last minute trip, it might be nice to not have to plan the entire trip, there are some great sites to book a last minute tour on. 

1. TourRadar

Book a tour of your destination as well as accommodations through TourRadar . There are several ways to search, including destination, adventure styles (food & culinary, active adventure, health & wellness, etc.), and date. Search for tours for travel in the next two weeks, or multiple months in advance. 

2. G Adventures

From Iceland to Turkey, G Adventures has tours to inspire and excite. They have available dates for travel throughout the year, but most are available to book for tours within a week or two. They have themed tours like the Northern Lights in Iceland, and Hiking the Azores—whatever, wherever you want to go. I found a four-day hiking tour of the Inca Trail in Peru for $881 departing within the week.

3. Contiki 

Contiki has a wide variety of tours to choose from, and the site has a handy last minute trips option to find a tour when you need one. When I searched, there was an Egypt and the Nile tour for $1,772, starting in just four days from when I searched! Most tours include accommodation, meals, transportation, admission to sites, and tour guides. 

The 10 Best Group Travel Tour Companies

Popular Getaway Deal Destinations

You may think it is hard to find deals to some of the top destinations, but as we have been mentioning, there are several options out there, no matter where you are going. Here are some sites that will help you plan your next getaway to some of the top spots.

Europe Deals

Lastminute.com .

Netherlands-based LastMinute.com also covers a range of last minute trip options, including flights, hotels, Eurostar train tickets, vacation packages, car rentals, theater tickets, and experiences. A Paris search turned up several highly-rated hotel options at $75-$85 per night at press time. This site also allows you to filter by hotels that offer free cancellation, a great perk if your travel plans change last minute. LastMinute.com also has “top-secret hotels” available for opaque booking, though in my Paris search they were actually a bit more expensive than the named hotels in my results.

Caribbean Vacations

While we love Sandals, we also love their sister company, Beaches . Beaches features two resorts in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos. Their last minute travel deals are similar to Sandals, where you can get one free night, and are able to book with just a couple of days in advance. 

Trips to New York

Chances are, if you are heading to NYC, you are going to want to see a Broadway show. Your best option for great last minute seats is TKTS . Download the app for your phone to see that days discounted tickets, and you can decide whether it is worth making the trek to the booth. Beats running out early in the morning to wait in line, and you are sure to get some deeply discounted tickets. 

The Hotel Room Workout Anyone Can Do

Best Last Minute Travel Apps for Your Phone

Most people tend to do everything on their phones, from booking restaurants, reading the news, and of course, booking travel. These apps are our favorites for booking last minute travel.

Elude is more than an app, it is an experience for the well-seasoned traveler. Not only does it let you search trips from your departure city to anywhere in the world, it gets to know you so you’ll find out about the best deals catered to your interests. Keep tabs on your trips, where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Their search feature allows you to put what your budget is, and what dates you want to travel, then showing you details for trips that fall under your criteria. When I searched, I found a trip to Prague leaving from New York City in two weeks for $1374 including airfare and hotel. 

With Snaptravel , you can search for hotels conveniently on your phone. Once you sign up, you will receive exclusive deals over your message service of choice (SMS, Facebook Messenger, iMessage etc..). You can also do a simple search with the days you want to go, and where you want to go. You can filter by price, hotel stars, amenities and more. The perfect app for booking that last minute hotel anywhere in the world. 

Heading to the Airport? Use This Preflight Checklist

These days, vacation rentals are all the rage, and finding a last minute travel deal for accommodations can be tricky if you don’t want to break the bank. That’s where apps like VRBO come in. You can search rooms, apartments and houses available to rent wherever you are going. Often, owners who have had a cancellation or just want the place booked will discount the price last minute as to not totally lose out on making any money. You might just find a unique stay, like a treehouse or secluded cabin. 

Travelocity

Everything is better with time, and Travelocity is not excluded. Founded in 1996, they have adapted to the ever-changing tech world, and their app shows they are good at what they do. Search for hotels, vacation packages, flights—you name it—and all of your bookings will stay on the app for easy access. Looking for the perfect trip to Las Vegas last minute? Travelocity has your back.  When I searched for a trip to Vegas in two weeks, I found hotel and airfare for under $1,000 for a five night stay. 

Editor’s Note: All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated with the latest information. Genevieve S. Brown and Dara Continenza contributed to this story.

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The 25 Best Websites and Apps to Find Last-Minute Travel Deals [2023]

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Table of Contents

Best for last-minute vacation deals, best for last-minute flight deals, best for last-minute accommodation deals, best for last-minute cruise deals, best for last-minute tour deals, final thoughts.

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With so many travel websites out there, it’s tough to know which ones are worth considering when searching for that last-minute travel deal. If you’re looking for a beach vacation , some websites bundle flights, accommodations, and a rental car or transfer into a package deal that can be cheaper than booking the components individually .

Whether you’re looking for a last-minute cruise that includes bonus onboard credit or a late availability small group tour with 20% off the standard price, you’ll be sure to bag yourself a great deal using these recommended websites and apps.

Customers can book just about anything on the Expedia platform and mobile app, including vacation packages, flights , hotels , car hire , cruises , and excursions.

Sign up to the One Key rewards program to earn 1 OneKeyCash per dollar spent on hotels, flights, car rentals, and more. OneKeyCash can be redeemed for travel on Expedia as well as through Hotels.com and Vrbo.

Search for your vacation package by defining the destination, departure airport, and trip duration. You can filter your results using a variety of options such as guest rating, hotel amenities, and distance from downtown. Expedia displays Unreal Deals in the search results that are combined package savings equivalent to 1 night’s free accommodation .

Hot Tip:  Customers can book via the Expedia app to receive double reward points!

Pros and Cons of Expedia

• One Key Rewards Program
• Book your vacation package, rental car, and excursions all in 1 place
• Change and cancellation policies differ for individual hotels and airlines; check your small print before booking
• You might miss out on room upgrades by not booking directly

Hotel location is often one of the most important factors when booking a vacation, and Priceline has a great map   to see where the accommodation is located, as well as a pop-up telling you the hotel star rating, price, and customer rating for quick browsing.

If hotel inventory is low for a particular property, Priceline displays when there is 1 room remaining , to ensure you don’t miss out. You can stick with the lead-in package price if you’re happy with the room type and flight times, or you can customize your package with changes/additions (usually at a cost).

Priceline has Express Deals on hotels with up to 60% off for flexible travelers . These opaque deals don’t display the hotel brand until after you book, but you will know the star rating, guest rating, and the general area of the hotel.

Pros and Cons of Priceline

• Detailed map view for hotels
• Express Deals with up to 60% off accommodation
• No rewards program

Orbitz has several search options for vacation bundles, including combinations of flights , hotels , and car rental . From the main search box, you can specify whether you’re looking for direct flights or require accommodation for part of your trip.

Within your search results, you can filter by hotels that offer free cancellation, or by specific amenities such as a swimming pool or all-inclusive board. Register for Orbitz Rewards  and you’ll earn Orbucks to spend on hotel stays . 1 Orbuck can be redeemed for $1 and are earned on the following purchases:

• 1% on flights and packages
• 3% on hotels
• 5% on hotels booked via the Orbitz app

Pros and Cons of Orbitz

• Easy to book packages with or without car rental
• Orbitz Rewards Program
• Orbitz Rewards Program is not as generous as Expedia’s reward program for redemption value

Travelocity

Travelocity is another site where you can book everything together, or add-on elements, such as excursions, after you’ve booked. Travelocity searches over 400 airlines and 1 million properties worldwide to display the best deals for your vacation.

It’s quick and easy to register for a Travelocity account , and doing so will unlock an extra 10% off selected hotels . If you find a hotel, flight, cruise, or car rental at a lower price elsewhere, Travelocity will refund you the difference with its price match guarantee . This is up to 24 hours after you’ve booked for most travel components — for hotels, the price match is right up to the day before you’re due to arrive.

Pros and Cons of Travelocity

• Book everything in 1 place
• An extra 10% off hotels for Travelocity members
• Price match guarantee
• No loyalty program

Travelzoo is a travel aggregator that rounds-up the best deals from multiple websites and links you through to the appropriate website to book. As Travelzoo has a huge database, these deals have been negotiated specifically to promote to members and are time-limited.

Although you can search for deals departing on specific dates with Travelzoo, it pays to be flexible and let the deal dictate your dates. Head over to the Top 20 Deals page that changes weekly to reflect the very best offers tested and verified by the Travelzoo team.

Pros and Cons of Travelzoo

• Exclusive offers negotiated specifically for Travelzoo members
• Fully refundable deals available
• Limited-time offers and often only a set number available at the special deal price

Kayak is a metasearch engine, finding and returning flights that match your search criteria, without actually booking with Kayak. The best thing about Kayak is how many filters you can use to narrow your search , saving you time trawling through irrelevant results. Filter by direct flights only, carry-on or checked luggage, take-off or landing times, airline alliances, and much more.

Sign-up for Kayak Price Alerts to receive email notifications when prices change based on your search criteria.

Pros and Cons of Kayak

• Lots of filters to refine your search
• Booking direct with an airline so any frequent flyer points can be earned
• No loyalty program since bookings are not with Kayak

CheapOair is an online travel agent with bookings made directly with CheapOair. When searching for a flight, the results page tells you if a price is valid on a limited number of tickets to ensure you don’t miss out on that price.

The CheapOair rewards program gives members up to 20% off flights and up to 55% off hotels . For signing up, members receive 500 points and a further 500 points for their first booking. After you’ve booked once or spent $1,000, you’ll move to the Silver tier, where members earn 1 point per $1 spent. Gold and Platinum tiers provide higher point earnings. 1 point = 0.5 cents, so 200 points would be required to redeem $1 in travel credit.

Pros and Cons of CheapOair

• Rewards program with member discounts and reward point earnings
• CheapOair credit card available with 7 points earned per $1 spent
• Charges a booking fee (although occasionally has money-off promo codes for the fee)

Hot Tip: Download the award-winning CheapOair app and receive 2 points per $1 spent when booking through the app. 

Secret Flying

Secret Flying is constantly on the lookout for pricing errors and super cheap flash sales , which it says saves its customers, on average, 90% on flights. If you’re flexible on dates and destinations, you’re in for a treat, but you can also bag a bargain on a set destination. Download the Secret Flying app and receive notifications with flight deals to your chosen city, country, or region.

Pros and Cons of Secret Flying

• Cheap airline error fares are often honored by the airlines
• Push notifications with flights matching your criteria
• Deals aren’t as helpful for travelers inflexible with destination or travel dates

Google Flights

Google Flights has a clean, simple interface and some handy tools to find cheap flight deals. If you’re flexible on destination and are just interested in the best deal, you can input your departure airport and use the map view to view prices around the world .

If you know your destination but are flexible on the date you travel, take a look at Google’s price graph that displays the cheapest and most expensive days to fly .

Pros and Cons of Google Flights

• Bookings are directed to the airline, so you can earn loyalty program points
• Price graphs to identify the cheapest travel dates
• Doesn’t always display the cheapest flights that might be available with a small online travel agent
• Occasionally displays a price that no longer exists

Hot Tip:  Check out our dedicated guide on how to use Google Flights to find cheap flight deals. 

AirfareWatchdog

AirfareWatchdog employs real people to scour thousands of sites for the best flight deals, including error fares . If you’re looking to jet off last minute, or are flexible with your date of travel , that’s when you can really bag a deal with AirfareWatchdog. Prices are also tracked over time, so you can be confident when AirfareWatchdog flags a great deal as it knows the best time to book.

Sign-up for airfare alerts and you’ll receive updates to your email inbox when flight prices increase or decrease .

Pros and Cons of AirfareWatchdog

• Real people search and flag the best flight deals
• Price alerts that help you decide the best time to book
• Only compares flights and hotel prices, so you’ll need to search elsewhere for car rental and excursions

Booking.com

Booking.com is the go-to accommodation booking site for millions of travelers, providing a seamless search and booking experience. Travelers can browse hotels, apartments, and other unique properties all over the world, with many offering free cancellation.

When you complete 2 stays within 2 years, you’ll automatically receive Genius level 1 status to benefit from 10% off selected properties. Members that complete 5 stays within 2 years will receive level 2 status, with up to 15% off, free breakfast, and free room upgrades with selected properties.

Pros and Cons of Booking.com

• Automatic enrollment in the Genius loyalty program
• Free cancellation is offered on many properties
• You won’t earn hotel loyalty points because you are not booking directly with the hotel

Last Minute Travel

Last Minute Travel lives up to its name by providing excellent deals on last-minute hotels, flights, car rentals, cruises , and more. Flexible travelers will love the Undercover Hotels feature, where super low offers keep the hotel’s identity a secret until the booking is completed. You’ll know the hotel’s general location, star rating, guest review score, and board basis to help make your decision.

Join the Last Minute Travel Club to benefit from exclusive member-only deals and to earn points towards free travel . Membership is $50 per year, and if you don’t save the cost of your membership through your exclusive deals, you’ll receive a voucher to cover the difference.

Pros and Cons of Last Minute Travel

• Undercover Hotels provide up to 65% off, revealing the hotel name after booking
• Filter hotel results by Tripadvisor review scores
• $50 membership fee for the Last Minute Travel Club
• No map to search for hotels in a particular area

Hopper is a clever little app that predicts hotel and flight prices up to a year in advance with 95% accuracy . You could save up to 40% on your hotel by booking with the app. Hopper will send you push notifications about recent searches and alert you to price rises and increases for particular properties.

The color-coded calendar displays what dates have the cheapest rates using green, amber, and red highlighting. Once you’ve searched for a destination, you can choose to “watch” specific hotels to receive push notifications with hidden deals  that can’t be found anywhere else online.

Pros and Cons of Hopper App

• Intelligent predictions on the best time to book
• Hidden deals that are not available anywhere else
• You can’t contact Hopper’s customer service team by telephone — this must be done through the app

Hundreds of thousands of hotels, apartments, and holiday rentals are available to book on Hotels.com in over 200 countries and territories. You can book via its website or app and sign up to receive emails with secret prices for email subscribers only .

You can filter your search by the usual star rating, guest review rating, price, etc., but also by proximity to key landmarks or by accommodation theme, such as luxury, historic, and romantic.

Hotels.com participated in the One Key rewards program, which allows you to earn and use points on travel booked through Hotels.com, Expedia, and Vrbo.

Pros and Cons of Hotels.com

• Secret prices for email subscribers
• One Key rewards program

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor might be your first port of call to check reviews for just about anything travel-related, but you can also search for hotel deals . When selecting your stay dates, Tripadvisor highlights the cheapest days in orange on the calendar, so you’ll know what days to avoid. Your search results can be filtered by your minimum and maximum budget, amenities, and distance from popular landmarks, in addition to many other options.

Alerts tell you if the price is a certain percentage lower than usual , so you’ll know whether you’re getting a good deal. As bookings are not made with Tripadvisor, your search results will tell you which website the deal is available with and displays comparison pricing against alternative websites.

Pros and Cons of Tripadvisor

• Color-coded calendar reflecting cheapest dates
• Alerts flagging if a specific price is cheaper than usual
• Prices displayed often don’t include taxes and fees

CruiseDirect.com

Keep an eye on last-minute offers with CruiseDirect.com , where a cancellation may mean you can get your hands on a prime stateroom at a fantastic price . Check back regularly as prices fluctuate depending on how long is left before a cruise departs . Bonus inclusions and offers are displayed with little icons indicating free onboard spending, discounted shore excursions, or low deposits.

There are no booking fees with CruiseDirect.com, and the company has a price match guarantee if you find the same offer elsewhere.

Pros and Cons of CruiseDirect.com

• No booking fees
• Offers are generally not exclusive, so you could book them with any other cruise provider

Cruise.com gives customers access to special pricing and extras that can’t be booked anywhere else . Visit the Last Minute Cruises page and filter by cruise duration to see available deals, including cashback offers, onboard credit, and free gratuities.

If you know what cruise line you want to travel with, you can head straight to the individual deals page for the company, or if you know where you want to go or where you want to depart from, Cruise.com also features destination and port-specific deals pages. You can also register with Cruise.com to receive exclusive rates and discounts .

Pros and Cons of Cruise.com

• Dedicated last-minute cruise page with special offers
• Register with Cruise.com to receive exclusive rates and discounts
• The website is very busy and cluttered.
• No price guarantee is offered

CruisesOnly

CruisesOnly prides itself on its industry-leading expertise, with all agents having been professionally certified by each of the cruise lines. So you can bag yourself a last-minute deal while speaking to a cruise expert that can tell you which cruise liner will best suit your needs.

CruisesOnly has a price match guarantee , where it will refund you 110% of the difference if you find the same offer on another website. After your second booking, you can join the CruisesOnly Loyalty Club to receive free onboard credit or an Amazon gift card.

Pros and Cons of CruisesOnly

• Price match guarantee refunding 110% of the difference
• Loyalty program rewarding repeat customers
• The site can be very busy, making it hard to narrow down to the cruise you really want to take

Cruisewatch

Cruisewatch is a metasearch site that monitors over 25,000 cruise deals and holds pricing data from the last 5 years to analyze when the best time is to book . Take a look at the Cruise Price Drops page to see how pricing has fluctuated over the last 90 days and to check predictions on when to expect the best price.

When you’ve found the perfect deal, you have several options for how to book. Either click Book Now and you’ll be directed to a partner website to complete your booking, fill out the online booking form to be contacted by Cruisewatch, or call a customer service agent to book immediately.

Pros and Cons of Cruisewatch

• Analyzes historical pricing data to predict the best time to book
• Price alerts to keep up to date with price changes
• Confusing booking process with multiple options

Costco Travel

Costco Travel is available to Costco members only, with membership costing $60 or $120 depending on whether you go for Gold Star or Executive level. Like Costco’s warehouse merchandise, only top quality cruises are promoted with Costco Travel, and Executive members benefit from an annual 2% reward with all travel purchases .

Some cruise offers include bonuses such as Costco Shop Cards or onboard credit .

Pros and Cons of Costco Travel

• Executive members benefit from a 2% annual reward on travel purchases
• Some offers include Costco Shop Cards or onboard credit
• Offers are only available to Costco members

Hot Tip:  To view more popular websites for booking cruises at the lowest price, check out our dedicated article .

Intrepid is a B Corp accredited tour company that considers its corporate social responsibility as much as its bottom line. It runs sustainable small group tours all over the world and caters to solo travelers with shared rooms to avoid single supplements .

Whether you’re traveling on a budget or looking to explore a new destination alongside your creature comforts, Intrepid has a tour to suit you. Itineraries and inclusions are clear on the tour page, and you can secure your place on the tour for 5 days until you’re ready to pay your deposit . Check out the Travel Deals page for discounted and last-minute offers.

Pros and Cons of Intrepid

• Shared room options for solo travelers to avoid single supplements
• Clear itineraries and inclusions with optional extras
• Some tours are combination trips, so your travel companions may change midway through a tour

Gate 1 Travel

Gate 1 Travel provides small and large group escorted tours to all 7 continents. Visit the Special Offers page to see flash sales, last-minute deals, and featured destinations with extra savings . It’s always fun sharing the experience with a friend, and existing Gate 1 Travel customers can refer a friend to both receive $50 off a future booking .

Tours come in a range of travel styles, including Value, Classic, Deluxe, and Express, so you can choose the tour that best suits your travel style.

Pros and Cons of Gate 1 Travel

• Dedicated page with flash sales and last-minute deals
• Refer a friend program
• Supplement applies for solo travelers

Trafalgar offers over 300 tours , ranging from sightseeing and safaris to family and solo travel. You could save up to 15% on last-minute trips or plan in advance for 10% off early bird bookings on selected trips . Tours are focused on seeing bucket list icons, connecting with locals, and staying in accommodation with local heritage.

Order a free brochure to start planning your trip or check out the great customer reviews .

Pros and Cons of Trafalgar

• Up to 15% off last-minute bookings
• Wide range of tours and a great customer review rating
• Optional tour extras, such as excursions, can be pricey

TourRadar is an online travel agent, so it’s a great place to compare prices between a variety of tour operators . Over 40,000 tours are featured online, including large providers such as Intrepid , Trafalgar , and G Adventures . Bookings are made directly with TourRadar, who have a 24/7 support team via phone, email, or online chat.

TourRadar offers last-minute deals, early bird offers , and a selection of tours that are buy 1 get 1 free . It doesn’t get much better than that!

Pros and Cons of TourRadar

• Last-minute deals and buy 1 get 1 free offers
• Bookings are not made directly with the tour operator, so you won’t benefit from any repeat customer deals

Contiki offers tours for travelers from 18 to 35 years old to 6 continents (just missing Antarctica to get the full house). Contiki strives to provide sustainable travel , protecting the local communities and wildlife that form part of its tours.

Discounted tours are featured on its deals page, and customers can be book confidently with the knowledge that they can change their booking up to 30 days before the departure and move their flexible deposit to another tour or date .

Pros and Cons of Contiki

• Free changes up until 30 days before your tour and a flexible deposit
• Great for solo travelers with room sharing
• Free onboard Wi-Fi is limited

The key to bagging yourself a fantastic last-minute deal is flexibility. If you know the destination you want to travel to and the exact date you want to depart, chances are your choice will be limited. Opaque hotel deals can save you money on your accommodation if you can handle not knowing the hotel brand until after you’ve booked.

Many online travel agents have loyalty programs, so in addition to your great last-minute offer, you can collect points towards free future travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best site for last-minute vacation deals.

Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz, Travelzoo, and Travelocity are great for finding last-minute vacation packages. Searching for a deal is easy and you can filter your results to the packages that suit your criteria.

Do last-minute holidays get cheaper?

Last-minute travel can often be cheaper as travel companies discount their inventory to fill spaces and cover operational costs. Sometimes, last-minute flights can be more expensive as seat prices increase depending on demand.

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Holiday Airfares Are the Highest They’ve Been in Years—Here’s the Best Time to Book and How to Save

Fear not, fellow procrastinators. it’s not too late to book holiday travel, but act swiftly and smartly..

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San Juan, Puerto Rico, is among the most popular travel destinations this holiday season.

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This year, my husband, our two young kids, and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving a little differently—on an airplane. When we initially looked into booking four economy round-trip flights over Thanksgiving week, to say we experienced sticker shock is an understatement. So, we played with the dates and opted for a less conventional flying time (i.e., the exact moment when countless Americans will be sitting at the dinner table) to score a better deal.

This tactic is among several hacks that can help you beat this year’s soaring holiday travel airfares.

“After two years of depressed holiday season travel due to waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are gearing up for a season of Thanksgiving and Christmas travel once again,” reports travel booking site Hopper in its 2022 Holiday Travel Outlook . “Significant factors including jet fuel prices, fewer flights scheduled, and two years of pent-up holiday travel demand will combine this year to drive Thanksgiving and Christmas airfares to their highest in the last five years.”

The good news is that while holiday airfares are reaching a five-year peak, travel costs are at least coming down from summer 2022 highs. Flight prices have dipped 8.8 percent since last month, and hotel room rates are down about 2.3 percent since last month, according to Sally French, travel expert at financial advice site NerdWallet .

“Hotels and airfares hit record highs during the summer of 2022, but those prices have reached a top,” states French. But, she adds, “If you’re building your next vacation budget based on a 2019 trip, understand that you’ll likely pay far more now for pretty much every expense.”

Fortunately, there are ways you can save. Here are some expert tips on how to cut costs and when the ideal time is to book those holiday flights and travel.

The best time to book holiday 2022 travel

For both Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hopper recommends booking between now and October 20. “Prices will continue to fall until early September then remain relatively flat until mid-October,” Hopper reports. But the sooner the better. With each passing day, tickets tick upwards. Ideally, you should have your holiday travel booked by October 10.

How to get a good deal on holiday travel

Start planning now.

Get ahead of the last-minute rush—and price spikes—by locking in holiday travel plans ASAP. Booking patterns indicate that during the pandemic travelers became more prone to making last-minute decisions due to an uncertain travel climate. But now is the time to break that habit for those who want to save some money on flights, car rentals, and hotels.

Look into off-peak dates and times

You may not need to go as far as my family did and fly on Thanksgiving proper, but it helps if you can avoid the most popular travel times. “For Thanksgiving, flying the Monday of Thanksgiving week and returning any weekday of the following week will save you the most,” notes Hopper. (We also did the following week for our return and will be flying back the Wednesday after Thanksgiving to nab more affordable fares.) Flying out the Monday or Tuesday before Christmas weekend and returning midweek the following week could also help you save on flights.

Create price trackers and alerts

A helpful way to monitor airfares is to use the price tracking tools on sites like Google Flights, Hopper, or Kayak. Use these alerts to compare flights and then lock them in when they appear to be at their lowest or most reasonable. Airfares will continue to move up and down daily into early October, before steadily rising in the last two months before Christmas. “The next few weeks of volatile prices means travelers who are proactively monitoring prices could get notified of great, time sensitive deals,” Hopper notes.

Know a good deal when you see one

How do you know when to book? According to Hopper, as of mid-September, what would be considered good-deal domestic round-trip airfares for Thanksgiving are averaging $350 and for the Christmas period they are averaging $463. So, if you’re finding fares around those prices or lower, you likely aren’t going to find anything much better. For international round-trip airfares, Thanksgiving averages are $795 and Christmas averages are $1,300. (So maybe if you were thinking to go somewhere abroad, Thanksgiving is the better time to do so this year. )

Be open to alternate destinations (and airports)

If you’re flying to see friends or family, obviously there isn’t much wiggle room on the destination. But you can always look into nearby hubs that might offer more attractive airfares. Maybe see what’s on offer at Burbank or Long Beach versus LAX, LaGuardia versus JFK, or Oakland airport versus SFO.

And if you are planning to go on a vacation somewhere other than home for the holidays—maybe an escape to Mexico or the Caribbean or are dreaming of the holiday markets in Europe—but aren’t decided, perhaps let the airfares help dictate your final decision. A great deal could be just the motivation you need to finalize your plan and the place, including to somewhere you maybe hadn’t thought of before.

The most popular domestic destinations for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year include Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Seattle. As for international destinations, the most popular destinations for the holidays this year include Cancun, Dublin, Madrid, Manila, and Mexico City. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and higher fares, you may want to look for alternatives to these popular places.

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Are vacation packages worth it.

Vacation packages can save a lot on your vacation, as discounts may be available when booking multiple aspects of your vacation at once, such as the hotel and the flight. Flights and hotel packages can include a car rental at your destination. Check our package deal today on Expedia!

How much do vacation packages cost?

The exact cost of a vacation package varies based on various factors such as destination, accommodation quality, flight class, and even the time of year you visit. The type of vacation you embark on can also affect cost with options like family packages and all-inclusive packages . You can search for your specific price range, too, with plenty of vacations under $1,000 , for example. 

How to choose your vacation package?

To find the best vacation package, you'll need to consider the type of vacation you're looking to enjoy and the destination. Using the site's search function, you can find a wide variety of packages available for your chosen vacation location, while search filters can narrow down options based on vacation type. Browse our deals now.

How to find cheap vacation packages?

If you're looking to save, be sure to set filters for any budget limitations you may have in your search. Additionally, you can sort by price to automatically put the cheapest options first in your search results. Weekend getaway packages can be relatively inexpensive as well if you are looking for cheap getaways. 

How to vacation on a budget?

Budget-friendly travel is easy when you book with Expedia, as we can help you keep prices low via search filters, but that's not all. There are general trends to keep in mind regarding prices, such as travel packages generally being cheaper during the off-season of your vacation destination. Additionally, the higher the quality amenities you opt for, the higher the price typically is.

How to get great vacation deals?

Vacation deals are common with Expedia, as we offer plenty of discounts on great packages, with packages already being a deal compared to booking hotels and flights separately.

How to find last-minute vacation deals?

To book last-minute vacation trips, simply input your travel dates into the search and see what's available at that time for your destination. You can still filter based on virtually anything you can imagine, including amenities, price, star rating, and more.

Where should I go on vacation?

Booking a Hawaii vacation package is especially popular with all sorts of travelers, whether it's families or couples, and Disney World packages have much to offer for families. Consider the kind of vacation you're looking for to determine the perfect destination. 

What are some of the best vacation spots?

Top vacation spots include cheap Caribbean vacations and European vacation packages . With rich culture, history, and stunning natural beauty, a vacation package to these destinations can provide an unforgettable adventure. 

Where to go on a vacation in the US?

Staying in the US still offers easy access to great vacation places with Vegas packages and a Grand Canyon vacation being popular choices among other options. Whether you’re seeking the thrills of the Vegas Strip or the majestic views of the Grand Canyon, browse your options today.  

Where to go on vacation on a budget?

Cheap vacation ideas can still take you to a variety of great cheap vacation destinations, including Yellowstone vacations and Glacier National Park vacations . Parks and outdoor experiences tend to be free, so national park vacations are excellent for a budget-friendly trip. 

What are some great all-inclusive vacation packages?

All-inclusive vacations to the Bahamas and all-inclusive vacations to Cancun are some of the best options available, putting you in a Caribbean paradise. However, all-inclusive vacations are more varied than you might think, with worldwide options. 

What are the best destinations for a family vacation?

Traveling with kids means you'll need to find fun for the whole family, and Orlando vacation packages can put you and your little ones in the world's theme park capital. Of course, a vacation package to Anaheim offers a similar experience on the West coast. 

Where should I go on vacation this summer?

If you're looking to embrace the season, head to the beach with a summer vacation package to Destin . Of course, you may be more interested in escaping the heat with something like a vacation package to Vancouver . 

How to find cheap beach vacations?

In your search, you can apply search filters for beach trip packages and sort your results by price to see the cheap vacation options first. With those standards, you can find amazing cheap trips with beach vacation packages like vacation packages to Panama City and vacation packages to Myrtle Beach . 

What are some great couples' vacations?

Traveling with your partner means a more romantic adventure, which is easy when you book vacation packages to Honolulu . However, you can always opt for the classics and get a vacation package to Paris . Even a simple 3-day cheap getaway can be suitable. 

What are the best destinations for a luxury vacation?

One of the best destinations for luxury is a Las Vegas vacation package , as the city was essentially designed to make visitors feel luxurious. Of course, a Lake Tahoe vacation package can be just as fulfilling as a more outdoor-oriented experience. Golf vacations also tend to be quite elegant. 

How to find great Christmas vacation packages?

To find an excellent package for a Christmas vacation, simply put your travel dates into the search and discover what's available. Vacation packages to New York and vacation packages to Chicago are trendy around Christmas. 

Where to get ski vacation packages?

Ski vacation packages are readily available on Expedia, including vacation packages to Aspen , vacation packages to Vail , and packages to other notable ski resorts. Check out the deals now and book your next ski vacation today.  

Can I cancel my vacation package with Expedia?

Yes, you can cancel your vacation package via your itinerary page on Expedia or by contacting customer service. Remember that some packages are fully refundable, but the details vary based on each unique booking. A fully refundable package may depend on how far out from the travel dates you're canceling and what airline you are travelling with.

Why should I book my vacation package with Expedia?

Booking with Expedia makes it easy to plan your entire vacation in advance. Vacation packages with airfare included can also feature a rental car and even activities in some cases, with discounts typically coming with booking more than one aspect of your trip at a time. One Key members will earn  OneKeyCash  with every eligible booking that you can use to save on future eligible bookings. Membership is free, sign up today!

*OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia,  Hotels.com  and Vrbo.

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Traveling within three days? Our Travel Advisors can make it happen! Call 1-800-309-4717 to book. *$489 price is based on travel from Ft. Lauderdale to Legends Beach Resort for 3 nights on July 9. Advertised prices available for bookings made electronically through your travel agent or on vacationexpress.com; small service fee of $10 applies when booking through Vacation Express Call Center. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. For full terms and conditions, hotel information and description of all services, please refer to vacationexpress.com or call for details. Some upgrades are subject to availability upon check-in. Packages above are limited and subject to change without prior notice and are based on travel on coach/economy air with Spirit Airlines, American Airlines or other U.S. certified carriers or Vacation Express public charter flights operated by Allegiant Air or VivaAerobus. Airfares are per person, reflect lowest available airfare at time of printing, are subject to change and are based upon availability of class of service. Baggage charges and allowances vary by carrier and can change frequently. Most major carriers are charging a fee for checked baggage. Some airlines, including Spirit Airlines, are charging a fee for all checked and carry-on baggage. Clients must check their respective airline for the most current baggage information. Some hotels in the Cancun, Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres and Cozumel areas of Mexico charge an environment fee of approximately $1.21 per room, per night. Fees are subject to change without notice and are payable at the hotel. Book by 7/1/24. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Registered Florida Seller of Travel no. St 38441. State of California Seller of Travel Certificate of Registration #2107538-40.

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Best last-minute holidays 2022: book now and travel at the weekend

Need a getaway? These six destinations offer more than just a change of scene, and you can head off as early as this weekend

Fuelled by wanderlust after months of being stuck at home, we’re booking more last-minute getaways than ever before. We’re not just opting for short hops, either – travel companies such as TUI and Expedia are reporting that bookings for medium and long-haul destinations are at an all-time high, too. 

I've already given you some great options for all-inclusive holidays on a budget but if you're craving a great escape which you can embark on sooner rather than later, here are the best options right now.

Marseille, France

Fancy a sun-soaked getaway but keen to avoid the crowds? Marseille is a brilliant option. A coastal city which has gone from gritty to glam, it’s just a two-hour flight from Heathrow, and with an abundance of flight routes to choose from, it’s also incredibly accessible.

There’s never been a better time to visit, either. In June 2022, the Cosquer Méditerranée flung open its doors. Part museum, part automated ride, Marseille’s newest attraction provides a fascinating insight into the Cosquer Cave, on the outskirts of the city. The cave’s biggest claim to fame is its hundreds of prehistoric cave paintings, although rising sea levels mean many have been obscured and the cave is no longer accessible.

Luckily, the Cosquer Méditerranée is the next best thing – a replica, in Marseille’s city centre, of the 30,000-year-old cavern (complete with reproductions of the cave art) through which visitors travel on automated vehicles.

Flights and hotel to Marseille with Lastminute.com from £576 pp

Based on two people travelling from Friday 8th to Monday 11th July. 

Gdansk, Poland

British Airways launched a new route to Gdansk in 2021, making this historic Polish city even easier to get to. A seriously underrated destination that often plays second fiddle to Krakow and Warsaw, Gdansk is a place which wears its history proudly, whether it’s in its beautiful old town, filled with Hanseatic-era buildings and rust-red brick churches, or the strangely beautiful, skeletal hulks of shipping cranes rising above this seafront city’s listed buildings.

Interestingly, Gdansk suffered huge damage in WWII and many of the most spectacular buildings are actually reconstructions – albeit incredibly realistic ones, constructed using original architectural plans. However, there are still plenty of original buildings, including the sixteenth-century Brama Wyżynna, one of Europe’s most ornate city gates, and St Mary’s Basilica, which is Poland’s largest church.

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Flights and hotel to Gdansk with Booking.com from £513 pp

In recent months, last-minute bookings for long haul destinations have rocketed, possibly due to some travellers’ determination to make up for lost time by splashing out on trips using holiday cash they never got to spend during the pandemic.

Singapore is a brilliant option if you’re planning on this approach. In June 2022, Singapore Airlines increased their flights to the destination from both London and Manchester, making this marvellous city state more accessible than ever. One of Asia’s greenest urban destinations, Singapore is also home to what’s generally regarded as the F1 calendar’s most exciting grand prix – a twisting street circuit race which takes place at night.

The post-race entertainment is pretty fantastic too – at this year’s event, which takes place over the first weekend in October, performers include Green Day and Marshmello. Left it too late to bag tickets? Don’t panic – there are plenty of reasons to visit Singapore at other times of the year, too.

Speed demons with a love of pedal power should explore Singapore’s 500-kilometre network of cycling trails – highlights include the Rail Corridor, a forest-fringed cycling and hiking path in the footprint of an old railway, and the Park Connector Network, a huge network of cycling routes connecting Singapore’s green spaces. I also recommend checking out a visit to the theme park-filled Sentosa Island, where the newest attraction is the SkyHelix Sentosa, an open-air panoramic ride with 360-degree views over the island and beyond.

Flights and hotel to Singapore with Expedia from £1892 pp

Based on two people travelling from Saturday 6th to Monday 10th Aug. 

Dijon, France

Love a great foodie destination? Dijon’s your place – it’s one of Europe’s finest culinary hotspots, although there’s more to this city than mustard. In May 2022, following a £200m investment, the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin opened its doors inside the historic building which once housed the Hôpital Général. This sprawling, food-themed complex contains exhibition spaces, restaurants, shops and cafés.

A five-star hotel tucked into one of the complex’s oldest buildings will open in 2023, and there will be an enormous wine cave showcasing Burgundy’s best wines. Don’t know your Cabernet from your Colorino? Sign up for one of the centre’s brilliant wine courses.

Dijon has more than just fantastic food, however. I recommend a visit to the old town to marvel at the mishmash of architectural styles, highlights of which are the Place de la Libération, with its grand, 17th-century townhouses, and the half-timbered buildings which line the Rue de la Chouette.

For a museum fix, it’s got to be the Musée des Beaux Arts, which recently emerged from a major renovation and is housed inside the enormous Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy. Its exhibits are nothing if not diverse – you’ll find everything from animal sculptures carved by Rodin’s former assistant, François Pompom, to sixteenth-century paintings once owned by Louis XIV and displayed at Versailles.

Flights and hotel to Dijon with Expedia from £430 pp

New York, USA

New York is a brilliant destination for a weekend getaway, and it’s surprisingly accessible. In August 2022 Norse Atlantic will become the latest airline to offer flights between the UK and the Big Apple . 

It’s a city in the midst of a green makeover – my favourite urban idylls include the Javits Centre’s seven-acre roof garden, which is home to 29 bird species, five bat species and thousands of bees, and Little Island, a new public park in the heart of the Meatpacking District. 

There’s plenty of hi-tech experimentation going on, too. Over at Central Park, the Central Park Climate Lab, a collaboration between the park and Yale School of the Environment and the Natural Areas Conservancy, will allow scientists to study how urban parks can help manage the effects of climate change.

Flights and hotel to New York with Booking.com from £1026 pp

Bangalore, India

Bear with me here. If you’ve got a craving for long haul travel, India is a brilliant option right now. British Airways and Air India have relaunched multiple routes between UK airports and hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai, although I recommend taking advantage of the British Airways route which connects the UK to Bangalore – otherwise known as India’s garden city.

The garden-filled capital of Karnataka state, Bangalore is also regarded as India’s foremost tech city – companies such as Google and Amazon have their Indian headquarters here, and many of the entrepreneurs who’ve struck it rich in Bangalore have gone on to open clubs, restaurants and breweries.

Today, Bangalore has 72 breweries (more than any other city in India), many of which have greenery-filled rooftop gardens. My favourites include the Druid Garden, where you’ll find a Czech brew master and delicious Indian food, and the Hopshaus, where tipples include the Sassy Saison – a malty brew which pairs wonderfully with the brewery’s reshmi chicken kebab.

Flights and hotel to Bangalore from £1527 pp

Based on two people travelling from Saturday 16th to Thursday 21st July. 

Tamara Hinson is a freelance travel and tech writer who writes for a range of publications, including T3, Wanderlust, the Times, the Metro and the Independent. Favourite destinations include Peru, India, Zambia and anywhere in South East Asia, although as a former snowboard instructor she’s happiest in the mountains. Her favourite trips include a visit to North Korea and the time she joined a postman for his 250-mile mail run around the remote cattle ranches surrounding Coober Pedy, an Australian outback opal mining town where everyone lives underground.

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Top last-minute travel tips this holiday season

If you don’t have travel plans for the holidays yet, there’s still time. And you might even find a bargain.

Nearly half of consumers surveyed by American Express plan to travel for family gatherings this holiday season , and 48% say they want to attend out-of-town holiday gatherings that they missed because of the pandemic.

It’s no surprise that airlines, vacation rentals and car rentals are running at full capacity during the holidays. One possible exception: Hotels.com reports searches on its app for hotel stays in popular Northwest cities are still 10% less in December compared to last year, which can be ideal for last-minute bookers who haven’t made their holiday plans yet.

More Holiday Guide 2022

But even if you can find a ticket and a room, there’s the matter of traveling somewhere during this holiday season. 

Inflation is running hot, pushing prices higher for everything from restaurant meals to hotel rooms. There’s the threat of airline strikes. And there are widespread fears that this holiday travel season could be one of the busiest ever. 

“Holiday travel bookings are already outpacing pre-pandemic levels,” warns Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage.com , a travel insurance marketplace. “With the influx of travelers comes a greater chance that your trip will be canceled, delayed or otherwise disrupted.”

So what to do? This year, many travelers have made plans during Hanukkah and Christmas, and many are still considering them, according to experts. You can still find deals, but the longer you wait, the harder it gets. And with all the airline challenges, you should be prepared for anything.

More holiday travel help

• The holidays are longer now. Is that a good thing?
• 6 tips to avoid getting your family sick during holiday travel
• Best and worst times to travel on WA roads and ferries this Thanksgiving weekend
• Sea-Tac Airport sold out of pre-booked parking. Here’s what to do
• Will air travel be as chaotic as last summer? What to expect over Thanksgiving
• Region-by-region Thanksgiving weather forecast

Christmas is the big travel holiday in 2022

This year, Thanksgiving will be busy, but Christmas will be even busier. A survey by travel insurance company Faye finds 72% of Americans plan to travel for Thanksgiving, and 84% will be on the road for Christmas. New Year’s will be quieter, with only 58% planning to drive or fly somewhere. 

When it comes to travel fears, Americans are thinking big, too. The No. 1 travel fear is a major natural disaster, like an epic blizzard . Almost 30% of travelers identified that as their top concern. COVID-19 is still on the list, with 23% naming it as their top worry.

If you’re planning to fly for your holiday trip, you’ll get the best prices and have the smallest crowds on the actual days of the various holidays — Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve, says Jon Stephens, director of operations at Snowshoe Vacation Rentals . 

“The vast majority of people choose to fly in the days leading up to and following these days,” he says. “But airlines will often make ticket prices cheaper on the holidays themselves to encourage people to fly on those days and reduce airport traffic.”

What if you can’t avoid flying on the busier days? Stephens recommends that you steer clear of weekends, which are also hyperbusy during the holidays.

You might also want to avoid the most popular destinations. According to the latest Skyscanner data, the top destinations from the Seattle market are New York, Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida. Internationally, they’re London, Mumbai, India, and Tokyo.

Where can you still find bargains for holiday travel?

Melissa Dohmen, a Hotels.com spokesperson, says you’ll find deals in smaller cities outside of the peak holiday window.

“Try a last-minute visit to places with average hotel daily rates under $150 per night, such as Spokane , Boise and Idaho Falls,” she says.

For example, The Davenport Hotel Collection , a collection of upscale properties in Spokane, have winter rates that start at $129 a night.

Note, though, that waiting for a deal will not work if you have your sights set on a place like New York. 

“Book your hotel stay as early as possible to get the best deal,” says Mandy Wilson, director of sales and marketing at Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan . “Prices do increase closer to arrival, especially during a time when New York City has a lot to offer, such as the Rockefeller Tree Lighting and Shopper’s Week at the start of December.”

Timing is important, but escaping high prices won’t be easy. Bus and train tickets are up to 23% cheaper on the Tuesday before Christmas, according to research by public transportation site Wanderu . But train tickets for the week before Christmas cost 51% more than last year.

Buckle up — it could be a wild ride!

If you’re jumping into the travel fray during the holidays, or are even thinking about it, be prepared for an unprecedented experience. The pilots at three airlines — American, Delta and United — have authorized strikes (as of Nov. 9). Airlines have failed to resolve many of the operational problems from this summer, including staffing challenges. That could lead to paralysis in the skies.

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“I wouldn’t be surprised to see headlines like ‘Chaos as Americans Travel for the Holidays’ in a few weeks’ time,” says Roger Broussard, the CEO of an air travel site . 

He says demand for this holiday season is strong despite economic uncertainties. And even though airline executives have promised not to repeat this summer’s customer service meltdowns, which saw almost a quarter of flights delayed and nearly 3% of them canceled, he thinks all of the pieces are in place for a debacle of even bigger proportions.

Broussard’s advice? Drive.

Harding Bush, manager of security operations for GlobalRescue , agrees that things could get chaotic. He recommends booking a nonstop flight if possible. “The flight might still get canceled or delayed, but a delay will have less impact if you don’t have a connecting flight to catch,” he says.

But whatever you do, don’t wait until the last minute to make travel arrangements. 

“Waiting until the last minute has been a trend in the last year,” says Angela Borden, a product strategist for Seven Corners . “But this year, it may result in more travelers facing sold-out flights or paying more for the seats that remain.”

So the bottom line for holiday travel this year is this: It could be rough, but it could be even worse if you wait until the last minute to book. Buy your tickets and book your hotel rooms now — or wait until January and let the madness of the 2022 holiday season die down. It’s a much more calm time to travel, anyway.

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

9 Surprising Places For A Last-Minute Family Vacation This Summer

• Types of Travel

Don’t let summer slip by without going on a family vacation. No need to stress — we’ve done all the work for you by hand-selecting family-friendly locales for fun in the sun. We also did you a solid and found nearby campgrounds and even a couple of RVs you could rent. Ready to plan your summer getaway? Here are nine amazing places to go on a last-minute vacation that the whole family will love!

RVshare   is the world’s first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. With thousands of satisfied customers and a broad inventory ranging from travel trailers to luxury motorhomes,   RVshare   has the perfect RV for your vacation, tailgate, or temporary lodging needs.

1. New Braunfels, Texas

Tucked away in the Texas Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio, New Braunfels offers fun for the whole family. Rent tubes to float the Guadalupe River at Whitewater Sports or get a break from the Texas heat at Schlitterbahn waterpark. Grown folks will enjoy visiting area wineries and the Heritage Museum of Texas Hill Country . Canyon Lake, the Water Recreation Capital of Texas , is about half an hour away.

Situated along the Guadalupe River, Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country won third place in the 2022 Campspot Awards for Best for Families and second for Top Campground Design. Highlights include a swim-up bar, outdoor movies, water slides, and more.

RVshare Rentals Near New Braunfels:

• 2021 Cruiser Twilight Signature TWS 2600
• 2021 Grand Design Transcend Xplor 247BH

2. Granby, Colorado

At the foothills of Rocky Mountain National Park , Grandby offers summertime fun for everyone. Just 5 miles outside of town on the Colorado River, Lake Granby is a beautiful place for boating, fishing, paddle boarding, and swimming. Surrounded by majestic mountains, it is the third-largest body of water in Colorado.

Formerly known as River Run RV Resort, Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountains campground was runner-up in the 2022 Campspot Awards for Top Views. It was also voted as one of the Top Campgrounds for First-Timers thanks to its amenities and access to things that make it easier on first-time campers, such as a store, cabins, and concrete pads.

There’s even a bar and grill onsite so you don’t have to cook! Family-friendly amenities include everything from a pool and hot tubs to a mini bowling alley and live music. Kids will love panning for Colorado gold at the campground’s gem mining sluice.

RVshare Rentals Near Granby:

• 2020 Heartland North Trail 24BHS
• 2021 Forest River RV Wildwood FSX 179DBK

3. Coos Bay, Oregon

Cute as can be, the  Sun Outdoors Oceanside RV Resort & Campground sits on the Pacific Ocean in the  charming small town  of Coos Bay. This section of the Oregon coast is dubbed  Oregon Adventure Coast  (OAC) for its abundance of water and outdoor activities. Explore the tide pools on the pet-friendly beach. Kayak, scuba dive, surf, fish, crab, and clam. Prep your catches at the campsite’s crab cleaning and cooking station.

Oregon is home to some beautiful state parks . Explore nearby Yoakam Point State Park and Sunset Bay State Park . Take the north cove trail at nearby Cape Arago State Park to see the colonies of seals and sea lions on Shell Island, part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge , a designated National Wilderness Area.

RVshare Rentals Near Coos Bay:

• 2021 Forest River RV Cherokee Wolf Pup 16BHS, RV Rental in Gold Hill
• 2021 Coachmen RV Pursuit 31TS  

4. Winter Harbor, Maine

Don’t let the name fool you, Winter Harbor is also great in the summer! Located on the water in this traditional Maine fishing village, MainStay Cottages & RV Park borders the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park . While Acadia is among the most popular parks in the nation, the southern tip of the peninsula is the least visited portion of the park. The 6-mile drive along Schoodic Loop Road is sure to wow you with beautiful glimpses of Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island. The area is also very popular for cyclists as there are fewer people and flat roads.

The campground is also on the Henry Cove, which opens to the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy freshly caught Maine lobster for dinner. Cruise along Downeast Maine’s rugged coastline on a sea tour. Swimming, golf, fishing, bike rentals, and kayak rentals are all conveniently located nearby.

RVshare Rentals Near Winter Harbor:

• 2021 Lance Travel Trailer 2465
• 2017 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 24C

5. Klamath, California

About as northern California as you can get, Klamath is located on the Klamath River off the 101 just above the Redwood National and State Parks. Klamath River RV Park offers views of these ancient trees as well as plenty of hiking. There are several nearby public beaches for fishing, swimming, and water sports.

The area offers tons of adventure and photo opportunities. At the Trees of Mystery , get your picture taken with the 49-foot statue of Paul Bunyan and the 35-foot statue of his companion, Babe the Blue Ox. Get a bird’- eye view from the 100-foot high Sky Walk at the  Trees of Mystery’s Redwood Canopy Trail . Take a picture of your car in a tree tunnel at one of the only drive-through redwood tree spots left in California, the Klamath Tour Thru Tree .

Explore the Klamath River by jet boat or paddle in an ohl-we-yoch , a traditional dug-out canoe. Pack a picnic and take in the incredible vistas at Klamath River Overlook, where the river meets the Pacific. The California Coastal Trail (CCT) offers spectacular seaside hiking nearby.

RVshare Rentals Near Klamath:

• 2015 Palomino PaloMini 180FB
• 2021 Forest River RV Cherokee 264DBH

6. Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Park your camper just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Stonebridge RV Resort on the less-crowded edge of the Great Smoky Mountains. Family-friendly amenities include a pool, events, and games. Motorcyle enthusiasts will appreciate Maggie Valley’s Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum .

Visit Clingmans Dome — the highest point in the Smokies. Spend a day in Asheville at the Biltmore and check out the mountain town’s restaurants and breweries .

RVshare Rentals Near Maggie Valley:

• 2021 Jayco Jay Flight 26BH
• 2021 Keystone RV Hideout 38BHDS

7. Medora, North Dakota

Cottonwood Campground is part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in quaint Medora . The Badlands make for a wonderful backdrop for everything from hiking to golfing. Tee off at the Bully Pulpit Golf Course and bike the Maah Daah Hey Trail . Get tickets to the Medora Musical and eat at Pitchfork Fondue .

Find out why TravelAwaits writer Robyne Stevenson contends that you simply must visit the Dakotas’ national parks in an RV .

Pro Tip: The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs for two weeks in August. Campgrounds and the parks will be filled with bikes and bikers.

RVshare Rentals Near Medora:

• 2021 Prime Time RV Tracer 24DBS  
• 2021 Forest River RV Cherokee Wolf Pack 365PACK16 Toy Hauler

8. Garden City, Utah

Sun Outdoors Garden City Utah features a pool and has a beach on Bear Lake, also known as the Caribbean of the Rockies . There is also golfing available at nearby Bear Lake Golf Course. It’s also very convenient to the beautiful Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Garden City is the self-proclaimed Raspberry Shake Capital of the West. If you go during the first week of August, you may get to experience the annual Bear Lake Raspberry Days festival, which hosts family fun activities such as a craft fair, golf tournament, parade, kids’ games, a pie-eating contest, live music, rodeos, a 5K Fun Run, a Boat Light Parade, and fireworks.

RVshare Rentals Near Garden City:

• 2020 KZ Sportsmen SE 301BHSE
• 2020 Thor Windsport – ZOR’s THOR

9. Ketchum, Idaho

Perched at an elevation of 6,300 feet, Easley Campground is situated on Big Wood River, bordering the Sawtooth National Forest . In addition to water access and beautiful views, the campground offers fishing, hiking, and mineral hot springs-filled swimming pools and hot tubs.

The area is also near Bald Mountain within Sun Valley Ski Resort and Boulder Peak, the first of the impressive Boulder Mountains one sees when driving north along Highway 75.

RVshare Rentals Near Ketchum:

• 2017 Keystone RV Cougar Half-Ton Series 24SABWE
• 2020 KZ Durango Half-Ton D283RLT

Related Reading:

• The Best Campgrounds Near The Water (And How To Book Them Now!)

Laura Ray has lived in Atlanta, the Bay Area, SoCal, and Austin. After moving from Texas, she and her husband rambled about the Midwest in a camper for a couple of years before finally settling on 35 acres in their home state of Kentucky. When she isn't clacking around on the keyboard (cat in lap), you can find her practicing yoga, gardening, or playing the ukulele. This travel-lover's favorite destinations include Italy, the Greek isles, and Kentucky Lake.

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• Travel Tips

The Best Time to Book a Flight for Domestic, International, and Summer Travel

Take these expert tips for booking travel in 2024 and beyond.

When to Book Flights for Domestic Travel

When to book flights for international travel, when to book flights for holiday 2024 travel, when to book flights for summer 2025 travel.

Buying plane tickets is something of an art form. Ideally, you want to secure your spot in advance to avoid the inevitable price spike as your travel dates get closer. Industry data reveals the sweet spot for booking domestic flights is 28 days, or 60 days for international flights. That said, the trends are always changing, and experts recommend booking earlier for peak travel periods like summer and the holiday season.

Flights generally open for booking about a year ahead of time, and the airfare will change often between then and takeoff. Although you can book just a couple of weeks before the departure date in some cases, prices are likely to be astronomical. In other cases, when you want to go somewhere popular or during a big travel weekend, flights could fill up faster than normal. Our advice: Track flight prices on Google Flights or Hopper as early as possible so you can keep an eye on cost fluctuations. Read on for more advice about when to book flights from the pros.

According to Expedia's 2024 Air Travel Hacks report , you should aim to book 28 days before your domestic flight. "Doing so can save travelers up to 24 percent compared to those who wait until the last minute, from zero to six days out," Expedia travel expert Christie Hudson tells Travel + Leisure.

For domestic trips, pricing is elevated when tickets are first released, about a year before the flight. Those prices will slowly creep downward, all the way to their lowest point in the prime booking window, after which you'll likely see a huge increase in cost for last-minute travel.

Meet the Expert

Christie Hudson is a travel expert at top booking site Expedia.

You're better off booking earlier rather than later for international travel, but the Expedia report says ideally no more than four months before your desired departure date. The sweet spot is around 60 days. "This is a big change from 2022 data, which showed the cheapest fares were secured when travelers booked four to six months out." Hudson says. "2023 data revealed that people who booked that far in advance actually paid more on average." The report says the least expensive day of the week to book is Sunday and the most expensive is Friday, for both domestic and international travel.

The real trick to finding good deals on international airfare is to avoid booking your travel for peak times, which include summer and major holidays (don't forget — that includes holidays in your destination, too).

Around the winter holidays is the priciest time to travel, says Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. "Your best bet is to remember the Goldilocks zones: look to book between three to seven months ahead for domestic travel and four to 10 months ahead for international travel."

Hudson advises that at the very latest, your holiday travel should be booked by mid-October. "But the biggest holiday travel savings actually come from choosing the right dates," she says. "Avoiding the busiest days like the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Friday and Saturday before Christmas will yield major savings."

Katy Nastro is a travel expert at Going, a website that finds flight deals to more than 900 destinations around the world.

Track flights and book your holiday tickets as soon as you find a decent deal, but make sure to book a fare that will give you a credit if you cancel (generally speaking, that means don't book basic economy). That way, if prices drop between the time of booking and your travel dates, you can cancel your original ticket and use the credit to book the cheaper fare. The only downside is you'll still have some remaining credit, but you can then use it to treat yourself to a future flight. Just don't let that credit expire.

Summer is traditionally one of the most popular times of the year to travel, which means it can be tough to find a good deal on airfare. Ideally, you should book flights for summer travel as soon as possible, preferably at least six months in advance.

"The best time to book for peak season is … the opposite season," Nastro says. "While most of us are scrambling to focus on our winter holiday plans, we should also keep our eyes open for some great summer fares."

She notes that the booking window for peak season ranges between three and seven months for domestic flights and four to 10 months for international trips. "And if you do book something, keep that flight alert on," says Nastro. "If it drops again, depending on your ticket type, you can call to rebook and get a refund or travel credit back with the difference. Most airlines don't charge for change fees on main economy tickets, meaning you won't be spending more to save."

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Book your holiday travel now or maybe skip it this year: What you need to know

The holiday travel season is just around the corner, and this year, there's one piece of advice everyone seems to agree on: Book early.

How early? Well, if you're reading this now, you might want to open a new tab and start looking for flights or hotels – that's how early.

"Book your trip as soon as possible," advises Carol Mueller, vice president at Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection . "Because the longer you wait, the more expensive the trip will be."

And that's if you're lucky. Flights, rental cars and rooms are selling out fast. In fact, it may be difficult to book for Thanksgiving, which is rapidly approaching. Christmas and New Year's are getting harder by the day, too.

Check out Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

Learn more: Best travel insurance

That has some people rethinking their holiday travel plans, according to Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Insurance . 

"Many family and friends who typically travel long distances for the holidays are canceling their travel plans and opting instead to stay local or visit with others who are within driving distance," he said.

That doesn't have to happen to you. You can still take that dream trip during the holidays – or see your relatives who live across the country – with a little smart planning. Prices are surprisingly affordable, with the exception of hotels. But as always, there's also some last-minute drama, and I have some completely irreverent travel advice that could land you a bargain.

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When are the travel holidays?

The holiday travel period in the U.S. is between the last week in November and the first week in January. It includes major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. 

Generally, it's one of the worst times of the year to travel, partly because of bad weather, and partly because of high demand. Almost everyone wants to go somewhere during the holidays. And that has never been more true than in 2023. Here's my personal advice for holiday travel :

What's the outlook for holiday travel prices?

Overall, domestic travel prices are down compared to the last holiday period.

◾ Thanksgiving airfares have fallen 14% from this time last year (to $268 per ticket), and Christmas airfares are down 12% (to $400 per ticket), according to Hoppe r.

◾ Car rental rates average $42 a day during Thanksgiving, a 17% decline from last year. The daily rate at Christmas is $10 higher, about the same as last year, Hopper predicts.

◾ Gas prices are steady. The Department of Energy predicts fuel prices will remain virtually unchanged, despite the turmoil in the Middle East. Nationwide, fuel prices should stay around $3.62 per gallon.

◾ Hotel rates are ticking higher, though. Prices for Thanksgiving stays are averaging $206 per night (up 9% from last year). For Christmas, the average room rate is $233 a night (up 7%), according to Hopper.

Most prices may be lower, but that's only half of the equation, said John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group . Airfares and rental cars may be a little more affordable – at least compared with the last holiday season – but that assumes there's availability. And travel advisers are seeing record demand going into the 2023 holiday travel season.

"Things are tight," said Lovell.

Is holiday travel safe in 2023?

One of the most common questions I've been getting from readers: Is it safe to go? It depends. 

“Selecting your travel destinations needs a careful review," explained Mahmood Khan, a hospitality and tourism professor at Virginia Tech. Recent conflicts in the Middle East and ongoing problems in Eastern Europe have made holiday travelers more tentative. Staying in the U.S. or visiting safer developed countries during the holidays may be the best bet, experts said.

OK, where are the crowds?

Most Americans drive to their holiday destinations, and getting accurate predictions on driving intentions is difficult. But Priceline pulled some of its airfare booking data and found holiday air travelers were all headed to the same places, more or less.

Here's Priceline's list of the most popular Thanksgiving destinations in the U.S., along with the average roundtrip airfare to those places.

• New York ($453)
• Atlanta ($396)
• Dallas ($511)
• Los Angeles ($419)
• Chicago ($478)

The list of destinations shifts around for Christmas and New Year's, but New York is always at the top, and Atlanta is in second place on two lists.

How about internationally?

"Our review of this year’s top Thanksgiving destinations revealed that Mexico is a top choice for Americans traveling internationally – specifically Cancun, San Jose Del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta," said Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Travel Insurance .

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Travel on these days if you want to avoid holiday travel pain

If you can't avoid the destination, try to travel on the least crowded day during that particular holiday period. Expedia's analysis of holiday booking data suggests that during the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period, a flight departing on Monday, Nov. 20, is 12% cheaper than the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Departing on Friday instead of Sunday will save you money, too.

The same thing goes for Christmas. Leave on Tuesday, Dec. 19, or on Christmas Eve, and you'll save 25% versus flying on Friday, Dec. 22. Those are slow days because most people prefer to fly later. Other uncrowded days: Christmas Eve or the holiday itself. Flights on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day are historically less busy.

I told you this holiday travel season had some drama, so here it is: This week, Kayak released its latest airfare information. It suggested airfares were falling fast. Prices for domestic travel over Thanksgiving weekend are down 13% from last year, and even more surprising, they're down 7% in the last month. Cities like Richmond, Virginia, and Baltimore have seen price drops of nearly 30% since last Thanksgiving.

So that raises the question of whether you should follow the conventional wisdom (book now) or wait a little longer for fares to drop further (highly unconventional). If you have a flexible schedule, you might play the odds and wait. But don't wait too long.

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Elliott's totally irreverent holiday travel advice

You don't read this column for its conventional wisdom. So here's a little more unconventional advice for your holiday trip.

• ◾ Get out of town – way out of town : That's the advice of Tracy Kennedy, a travel adviser specializing in Australia and New Zealand. "We've noticed an uptick in travelers from the United States looking to escape their cold winters for the sunny coasts of Australia, particularly Sydney," she said. My personal favorite is Tasmania. I'm hoping to make it down to Hobart for the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day one of these days. 
• ◾ Stay flexible (and wait) : If you don't care where you travel for the holidays, here's some totally contrarian advice: Wait. "Many airlines also have sales during certain times of the year," explained Kyle Kroeger, CEO of the online travel planning site ViaTravelers . "So if you're planning a trip for Christmas, keep an eye out for those dates." Kroeger likes using Google Flights to compare prices and flight times, as well as other websites like Skyscanner and Expedia. But this advice only works if you're flexible and can go anywhere.
• ◾ Avoid the holiday altogether : One of my favorite pieces of totally irreverent holiday travel advice is to avoid the holiday altogether. My best Thanksgiving trip ever was to Vienna, Austria, where there is no Thanksgiving holiday. George Panayides, a digital nomad , is headed to Thailand and Cambodia, where Christmas is not a religious holiday. (If you really want to avoid Christmas, try one of the American-friendly Muslim countries, like Qatar. I spent Christmas there two years ago and it was a day like any other.)

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

• Best Budgeting Apps

Compare the Top Budgeting Apps

• Budgeting App Reviews
• Introduction
• Features to Look for
• How to Choose an App
• Setting Up and Using an App
• Pros and Cons
• Alternatives
• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Budgeting Apps of July 2024: Manage Your Finances Efficiently

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate products and services to help you make smart decisions with your money.

Budgeting can already feel difficult, but with the right money management tool, you should be able to track your spending habits, find ways to spend less and save more, or budget effectively as a couple.

50% off for new customers (offer ends July 14, 2024)

$3.99 monthly subscription or $47.88 annual subscription

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Connect all your bank accounts, investments accounts, and credit cards
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Help you save for individual savings goals
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Create a budget
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Track expenses
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 30-day money-back guarantee
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Must buy a subscription (no free option)

Quicken Simplifi is a great budgeting tool if you want to create a detailed monthly spending and savings plan and don't mind paying for a subscription. If you would rather get a budgeting app that doesn't have a subscription fee, you'll have to consider other options.

• Up to 50% off on Simplifi for all new customers
• Stay on top of your finances in under 5 minutes per week.
• Check your custom budgeting plan — anytime, anywhere!
• Track your spending
• See where your money is going and discover places to save.
• Keep your bills in check
• Find subscriptions you don't use and start saving from day one.

Check out our picks for the best budgeting apps, and read more about how we chose the winners.

Best Budgeting Apps of July 2024

• Rocket Money : Best overall for reducing spending and creating a budget
• Monarch Money : Best for saving toward financial goals
• Quicken Simplifi : Best for robust budgeting features
• Honeydue App: Best for couples

The top budgeting apps have a straightforward sign-up process, a decent fee structure, strong budgeting tools, and an overall positive user experience. Learn more about the best budgeting apps, below.

Free to create a budget. Subscription fee applies to premium services.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Connect all your bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts to track spending
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Bill negotiation feature
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Free plan available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited features available with free plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited customer support availability

Rocket Money is featured in our best budgeting apps guide. While the Rocket Money app is free, there is a subscription fee if you want to use Premium features, like concierge services or premium chat.

Offers a 7-day free trial

Premium Plan with a 7-day free-trial, then $14.99 per month or $99.99 annually

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Link bank accounts
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Create unlimited budgets and make customizable categories
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Track individual savings goals
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Graphs and charts that track your spending and savings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No free plan

Monarch Money is an overall solid option if you prioritize creating monthly budgets and saving for individual savings goals. The main downside of the app is that it doesn't offer a free plan. You'll have to a monthly or annual subscription fee.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Budgeting app for couples
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can have individual and shared finances
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Create monthly bill reminders
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can discuss finances through chat feature
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only available through mobile app

Honeydue is featured in our best budgeting apps guide as the best option for couples. It's a great option if you don't want to pay a fee. It also allows you to have individual and shared finances.

Top Budgeting App Reviews

Budgeting looks different for everyone, so we selected four picks for budgeting apps. We selected a well-rounded budgeting app, one designed for couples, another that's appealing for setting goals, and lastly one with more detailed budgeting features.

We have a mix of free budgeting apps and ones that have premium plans with subscription fees, so you can choose an option based on your financial needs and priorities.

Best Overall: Rocket Money

Rocket Money (previously known as TrueBill) is our best budgeting app overall because it has a variety of tools to help you save and limit spending.

Rocket Money has both a free plan and a premium plan. With the free plan, you'll be able to link bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts to track spending and you'll also be able to create a budget .

The premium plan includes concierge services, which review your bills and subscriptions to help you cancel or get refunds for these services on your behalf. It also includes premium customer chat, unlimited budgets, customizable budget categories, a savings account, real-time updated syncing, and a credit score report.

The app's standout feature is Bill Negotiation. You'll upload a copy of your bill, and Rocket Money will determine whether you can get the same service with the company for a lower price. Rocket Money may also help you get refunds if you're charged bank overdraft fees or late fees.

When Rocket Money negotiates a bill, you'll have to pay a percentage (you may choose any amount from 30% to 60%) of whatever it will save you for the year. If you plan to change your internet, cable, phone, or wireless provider in the next year, you could end up losing money, though.

Pricing: You may choose how much to pay each month through a sliding scale. Rocket Money has a free plan that's $0. The Premium plan has a 7-day free trial; after the free trial, you'll have to pay around $6 to $12 per month (the lower-price plans are billed annually instead of monthly).

Rocket Money Review

Best for Couples: Honeydue App

Honeydue is a budgeting app designed specifically for couples. The sign-up process is short and simple — you'll create an account by setting up your email, then invite your partner to Honeydue.

Honeydue allows you to see both your individual and shared finances in one place. You also have to option of setting limits to how much your partner can see. When you connect a bank account to the app, you may choose to share both balance and transaction information, share information only, or share no information.

With Honeydue, you can organize your finances by creating monthly bill reminders or discussing personal financial information through the app's chat feature.

If you would like an additional place to store money for a common goal, like a holiday budget or a couple's vacation.

You won't be able to access Honeydue through your computer; it's only available through a mobile app. Some of our other top picks have both online and mobile platforms for more convenience.

Regular Pricing: Free

Best for Saving for Financial Goals: Monarch Money

Monarch Money may be worthwhile if you are looking for a budgeting app that helps you save for financial goals and create a budget. It's also become one of the most hyped-up Mint alternatives among Redditor users since Mint shut down.

Through Monarch Money, you'll be able to make unlimited personalized savings goals . You can customize goals, organize them by order of importance, and link them to bank accounts. The app also helps you create a zero-based budget, track your net worth, and analyze your cash flow.

Monarch Money doesn't have a free plan. You can try out a 7-day free trial. However, after that, you'll need to pay a subscription fee. If you do not want to pay a subscription fee for a budgeting app, you'll want to consider one of our other picks.

Regular Pricing: Premium Plan with a 7-day free-trial, then $14.99 per month or $99.99 annually

Best for Robust Budgeting Features: Quicken Simplifi

Quicken Simplifi might be a good choice if you want a budgeting app that provides a detailed breakdown of your spending and savings.

In addition to letting you create budgets with customizable categories and make individual savings goals, Quicken Simplifi analyzes your spending and savings through charts and data.

You can receive monthly reports for spending, general income, income after expenses, savings, and net worth . You can also now check your credit score through the web application if you have early access (This feature is currently only available to U.S. residents). Checking your credit score through Simplifi won't affect it.

The one major downside to this app is that it doesn't have a free plan. You'll have to pay a subscription fee, although you can try the app for 30 days with a money-back guarantee.

There's also a special promotion available right now — 50% off for new customers (offer ends July 14, 2024).

Regular Pricing: $3.99 monthly subscription or $47.88 annual subscription

Quicken Simplfi Review

Budgeting App Trustworthiness and BBB Ratings

We review the ethics of each company so you can see if a specific financial institution aligns with your values.

We also include the settlement history of the last 3 years so you're aware of any recent public controversies involving the bank.

We include ratings from the Better Business Bureau to evaluate how companies address customer issues and handle transparency.

Rocket Money has a B rating due to a high volume of customer complaints.

Honeydue has an F rating because it hasn't responded to three customer complaints and it hasn't been in operation for a long time.

Quicken has an F rating because it has received a high volume of customer complaints filed, and failed to respond to 13 customer complaints.

A good BBB rating won't guarantee you'll have a good relationship with a company. You also might want to read customer reviews or talk to current customers before making your decision.

Intuit does have some public issues surrounding its tax-filing software, TurboTax.

Introduction to Budgeting Apps

Why use a budgeting app.

A budgeting app can help you understand where you spend your money. It's also useful for building and maintaining an effective budget.

The top budgeting apps let you create a monthly budget using customizable categories.

Many also help you save money effectively . For example, budgeting apps use your transaction history to make charts and graphs. You can use this information to analyze your spending patterns and figure out where to make adjustments in your budget.

Key Benefits of Budgeting Apps

The primary benefit of using a budgeting app is that it gives you a big-picture view of your financial situation.

Many budgeting apps let you link different types of bank accounts, investment accounts, credit cards , and loans. You'll be able to see all your accounts in one place and see how you're spending versus saving.

Budgeting apps also help you build better money habits. If you've struggled to maintain a budget in the past, it might be easier to track your spending on an app than completely on your own. Budgeting apps do the work for you by syncing all your accounts — you just need to make sure everything is synced correctly and make small adjustments when they aren't.

Features to Look for in a Budgeting App

User-friendly interface.

A good budgeting app has a design format that's easy to use. The app should load quickly and make it easy to get started. You should be able to create a budget on your own without much help. If you encounter technical difficulties, you should also easily be able to contact a customer representative through the app.

Syncing with Bank Account

Many easy-to-use budgeting apps for beginners allow you to sync savings accounts, checking accounts , investment accounts, or credit cards.

Apps often use Plaid to link bank accounts. Plaid can connect more than 11,000 U.S. banks and credit unions, including the best banks .

Expense Tracking

Once bank accounts are linked, your spending will be updated on the app so you have up-to-date information. A strong budgeting app will provide updates frequently, and during the same day so you can stay on top of your budget.

Customizable Budgeting Categories

Many budgeting apps allow you to create a zero-balance budget. With a zero-balance budget, you're figuring out where every dollar of your income is going. You can create budget categories for every expense. You can also create savings goals if you're setting aside money for a specific purpose, like a down payment on a home or a future vacation.

A good budgeting app allows you to make customizable budgeting categories rather than pre-set categories. That way, you can make a budget that's tailored to your life and make categories as broad or specific as you want.

Charts and Visual Analysis Features

A top budgeting app analyzes your habits so you can see how you manage your money over time. Some apps provide charts of your monthly budget so you can see how your categories compare to one another. Others might have visuals to indicate how much money you have left to spend in a certain category for that month.

Several budgeting apps also provide reports for broader areas of your finances. For example, you might be able to view your cash flow balance over several months or how your money in your retirement plans has grown over time.

How to Choose the Best Budgeting App for You

To find the right budgeting app, you need to know what features you're looking for. Are you looking for ways to cut back on spending? Do you want a free plan or a subscription plan for your budgeting app? Do you want a detailed breakdown of your finances or more of a general overview? Knowing the answers to these questions can help narrow down your options.

If you have your eye on a few budgeting apps, you can try out the free trials or free versions of each before settling on the right one. That way, you can see if the interface is also user-friendly and manageable for the long-term.

Setting Up and Using a Budgeting App

Step-by-step guide to setting up your budgeting app.

To use a budgeting app, you'll have to download it through the Android or Apple store. To set up most budgeting apps, you'll enter your name and email address. If the app charges a subscription fee, it will prompt you to sign up for a plan or free trial.

The best budgeting apps will walk you through the app's different features and help you get started. You'll typically be prompted to link accounts. Then, you can create a budget or set savings goals.

Tips for Effective Budgeting with the Apps

If you're new to budgeting apps, it may be helpful to start off with some structure.

For example, you could use a popular savings method like the 50/30/20 rule or pay-yourself-first strategy.

The 50/30/20 rule breaks down your budgeting, so 50% goes to needs, 30% goes to wants, and 20% goes to debt or savings. The pay-yourself-first strategy focuses on savings — you'll automatically transfer money from your paycheck to some of your savings and then distribute what's left over to your expenses.

Another tip for effective budgeting is to look at your expenses to see if they reflect your financial goals and values. If you have certain goals that are of higher priority than others, find ways to reduce spending in categories that aren't a priority for you. That might mean waiting before making a purchase, creating a meal plan or grocery list to limit spending on food, or auditing your subscriptions to see if there are any you can cancel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Budgeting Apps

Experts recommend trying out a budgeting app's free plan or free trial before committing to an annual plan.

There are many budgeting apps out there, so you want to try to find the one that best aligns with your financial needs. Testing a few apps can help you decide the best one, and it also keeps you from paying too much for a budgeting app that you won't end up using.

Pros and Cons of Budgeting Apps

Alternatives to budgeting apps, budgeting apps vs. spreadsheet or diy budgeting methods.

You may prefer building a spreadsheet budget if you don't want to link all of your bank accounts or credit cards in a mobile app. However, setting up and maintaining your budget will primarily hinge on how much work you're willing to put into it.

A budgeting app does the tracking for you. With a spreadsheet, you'll have to either start from scratch or use a template. Either way, a budgeting app still offers more comprehensive features.

Budgeting Apps vs. Personal Finance Software

Budgeting apps and personal finance software share the same features. The best option for you will depend on whether you have preferences on the tool's accessibility.

A budgeting app is primarily designed for mobile experiences. Some apps also have an online dashboard which you can access through your computer, but it is always something that's offered.

Meanwhile, personal finance software is designed for computer access. You'll either download the software to a desktop or use an online platform. Some will also have apps, but some features might not be available.

Budgeting Apps vs. Savings Accounts with Goals Features

Some of the best online banks have added unique features to their savings accounts to help customers with goal-setting.

If you're specifically looking for a way to save for goals, it may benefit you to get a savings account with buckets . Buckets are customizable tools that separate your savings so you can save for specific goals. Since they are an integrated bank account feature, they also might be easier to manage than a budgeting app.

If you would rather have more robust budgeting tools, a budgeting app will likely still stand out to you. Budgeting apps also connect investment accounts, credit cards, and loans, so you'll be able to see everything in one place.

Budgeting App FAQs

A budgeting app is beneficial for tracking expenses and sticking to a budget. It can also help you save for financial goals and prevent lifestyle creep .

To choose the best budgeting app for your needs, consider what your financial goals are and how a budgeting app can best help you achieve them. If you need help cutting back on expenses, you might consider a budgeting app with bill negotiation features. If you need help with savings, you might prioritize an app that helps with goal-setting features.

Most budgeting apps have encryption to store data, making them secure to use if you're linking your accounts. To keep your username and password safe, budgeting apps might also have multi-factor authentication so they can verify your identity when you're logging in.

A budgeting app can help you understand your financial situation so you can create a budget that saves you money over time. These apps can help you find areas where you can reduce your spending. Some also offer a bill negotiation feature so you can see if you can save money on subscriptions.

Yes, there are free budgeting apps available in the Apple and Android stores, though they typically have more limited features than apps with paid subscriptions. The best free budgeting app is Honeydue, which is specifically for couples.

Mint shut down in March 2024. You'll have to switch to Credit Karma if you want to continue using an Intuit personal finance platform, or you can switch to an alternative budgeting app.

In most cases, the best budgeting app for beginners will be one that makes budgeting easy — this means it has an easy-to-use interface and links to your accounts, so you don't have to enter every transaction manually. It can also be good to have an app that teaches you about money.

Rocket Money is our best budgeting app overall, and it has a free plan. If you're in a couple, our top pick is Honeydue which is also free to download.

Why You Should Trust Us: Experts' Advice on the Best Budgeting Apps

We consulted banking and financial planning experts to inform these picks and provide their advice on finding the budgeting app for your needs.

• Sophia Acevedo, banking editor, Business Insider
• Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.com

Here's what they had to say about budgeting apps. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)

What should I look for in a budgeting app?

Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.com :

"My best tip for people who are looking to start using a budgeting app is to figure out what you're missing in your financial system. For example, if you are a person who knows that you want to stick to a zero-based budget, and you've been doing that manually, but you need maybe a little bit more help with the organization, then you can center your focus on searching for apps specifically solve your problem."

Sophia Acevedo, banking editor, Business Insider :

"I would look for features that would help me with my goals. Like if I'm trying to curb spending, I would look for a budgeting app that helps me minimize payments in certain spending areas."

How do I know if a budgeting app is right for me?

Mykail James, MBA, CFEI:

"Give it time. Every budgeting app is going to feel uncomfortable during the first month. Give it at least three months before deciding if it's not something for you. Actively try and use it before considering a switch."

Sophia Acevedo, CEPF:

"I would first try out the free version and see how it works. Some budgeting apps are entirely free, while others have different plans or trials at a variety of price points."

Methodology: How Did We Choose the Best Budgeting Apps?

At Business Insider, we aim to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. We understand that "best" is often subjective, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a financial product, we outline the limitations, too.

First, we compiled a list of 18 popular budgeting apps available in both the Google Play Store and Apple Store.

Then, we reviewed each budgeting app for a week. To determine our top picks, we reviewed the initial sign-up process, pricing, budgeting tools, and user experience. We also considered whether each app accomplished everything it advertised, and how regular users reviewed the product on the Apple and Google Play store.

• Bank accounts
• Savings and CD rate trends
• How banks operate

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

• Main content

Wave of summer travel expected over July Fourth holiday as hot inflation loosens grip

Travel activity is expected to heat up to record levels around the Independence Day holiday as consumers take advantage of cooler prices for airfares, gasoline and hotels

NEW YORK -- Travel activity is expected to heat up to record levels around the Independence Day holiday as consumers take advantage of cooler prices for airfares, gasoline and hotels.

AAA expects a record number of people to hit roads and airports during the week between Saturday June 29 through Sunday, July 7. The motor club forecasts that roughly 70.9 million people are planning to travel, the most since before the pandemic.

The hot travel forecast comes amid broader worries that consumers are becoming more cautious on spending outside of necessities, which is a key factor to a cooling economy. Inflation has eased significantly from its peak in 2022, notably on costs for travel and vacations.

“With summer vacations in full swing and the flexibility of remote work, more Americans are taking extended trips around Independence Day,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel.

The forecast, along with encouraging financial updates from cruise lines, bodes well for a sector that would typically suffer if consumers start cutting back on discretionary items and services.

Airports are seeing record numbers of travelers this summer. The Transportation Security Administration screened nearly 3 million people at U.S. airports June 23, an all-time high. The agency expects the number of air travelers to surpass 3 million at some point over the July 4 holiday week.

Consumers continue to face pressure from inflation on a wide range of goods, but travel-related items including airline tickets and hotel costs have eased significantly from a year ago. Hotel room prices were 1.2% lower in May compared with a year ago, according to recent government inflation data. Those costs have been trending lower since the beginning of the year.

Gasoline prices, which can have an outsized impact on consumer budgets, have generally eased from a year ago. Regular gasoline prices currently average $3.51 per gallon nationally, down 2 cents from a year ago, according to AAA.

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Marriott, and Hilton will likely be the biggest beneficiaries of consumer demand for travel this summer, according to Morgan Stanley. Still, the “rising tide of demand should continue to lift all boats," the report said.

Cruise lines are also poised to benefit. Carnival recently raised its profit forecast for the year and said bookings for 2024 are the best on record in terms of both price and occupancy. It said total customer deposits reached an all-time high of $8.3 billion during its fiscal second quarter and it expects capacity to grow 4.8% in 2024. Competitor Royal Caribbean has also raised its forecasts for the year.

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