The Best Travel Deal & Last-Minute Sites
Deal sites and newsletters do the searching for you, flagging mistake fares, flash sales and unusually cheap routes from your home airport. Last-minute sites sell unsold hotel rooms and package holidays at a discount close to departure. Be flexible on dates and destination and book fast: the best deals disappear within hours.
How do I find error fares and flight deals?
Flight deal services watch thousands of fares and alert you when one drops far below normal, including mistake fares where an airline has priced a ticket wrong. Going (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights) sends deals from your home airport in the US, Jack's Flight Club does the same for the UK and Ireland, and Secret Flying publishes deals from airports worldwide. Thrifty Traveler covers cheap cash fares and award deals. The trick is to be flexible: you choose the trip from the deals rather than searching for a fixed one.
How fast do I need to book a travel deal?
Very fast. The best fares often last hours, not days. Book first and plan later: in the US, most airlines allow free cancellation within 24 hours of booking, and in many cases you can cancel a ticket booked at least seven days before departure without penalty. Avoid booking non-refundable hotels until the flight is ticketed and confirmed.
Are last-minute holidays cheaper?
Sometimes. Package operators and hotels discount unsold rooms close to departure, and sites like lastminute.com and Holiday Pirates specialise in these offers. Flights, though, usually get more expensive in the final weeks. Last-minute deals work best for flexible travellers going to beach destinations in shoulder season, not for school holidays or major events.
Are travel deal sites worth paying for?
Free newsletters already find plenty of deals. Paid memberships to services like Going or Dollar Flight Club add more deals, faster alerts and premium cabin fares, and one good deal usually covers the annual cost. Try the free tier first and upgrade if you book from it.
Tips for catching the best deals
- Follow alerts for your nearest two or three airports.
- Keep a passport valid and a short list of places you'd go anywhere, anytime.
- Check the deal on the airline's own site before booking through an agency.
- Use Travelzoo's editor-tested offers for hotels and packages, not just flights.