Are you overworked, underpaid, under-stimulated, maybe even slightly boring and possibly afraid of turning into your parents? I learned recently of the antidote: a last minute getaway. These are long weekend deals made for those of us who are too busy to plan a weekend away.
Seemingly spinning gold out of mere yarn, these getaway providers match unsold hotel rooms and empty airplane seats that can work for every budget. They come in the form of neatly packaged offerings. The best part is that they are dummy proof, offering a printable itinerary with a list of places to see, things to do, and even recommendations for restaurants.
But don't get bamboozled and buy mere imitation. To recognize the real McCoy, you need to make sure the package you're looking at is in real-time and features on-the-fly dynamic packaging--meaning that you only see what is available to book at that very moment. Package purveyors should always display the total price for everything included, which is most often round-trip airfare, a hotel room, and a rental car.
These last-minute beauties (which leave from 150+ major cities in the U.S. and fly to over 170+ destinations worldwide) allow you to travel on a whim cheaply and easily -- and can be booked from 14 days to three hours in advance. I know you have a hard time believing this, but sometimes to get the best deal you shouldn't plan in advance.
My last getaway was a quickie to spruce up my golf game. I went to the Hyatt Lake Las Vegas, located 20 minutes off the strip. It was perfectly peaceful and a great place to practice my swing.
I'm not alone in taking these last-minute trips. The Travel Industry Association of America reported that 64 percent of leisure travelers planned at least one trip within two weeks of departure in 2002. I'm not saying to wait until the last minute for every trip, however, there's a trend in travel and you may as well take advantage of it.
If a package doesn't work for you, consider Web fares, promotional deals, last-minute cruises, or lodging specials in your own city or a quick drive away.
To pick the right last-minute package, be sure to follow these tips:
Be sure to get a good package and be clear on the actual value of it, because not all packages are created equal.
If you want to take a long weekend or getaway, the deals to buy (or try to beat) are the complete packages to a variety of destinations, offering recommendations on what to do, and giving a choice of airlines and flight times as well as a range of places to stay at a variety of budgets.
Purchase from a well established company with a 24/7 customer service line.
Know what is and isn’t included. Air and hotel are the most common features, but some may include airport transfers, rental cars, and/or excursions.
Be able to choose among brands (for airline and hotel) and select flight times. You don’t want to get stuck with unsavory layovers or accommodations that lack the amenities you desire.
Look for real-time availability. Beware of sneaky sell-outs that try to substitute other destinations in place of the one you prefer.
Go ahead, be spontaneous with your travel plans! Aside from getting a great deal, you'll forget about work and your never-ending To Do list and discover the freedom of adulthood, calling the shots and exploring.
Breaking from your routine and returning revitalized, you'll be the talk around the water cooler, the coolest mention amongst your gym buddies, and the envy of the carpool clan. But I'm warning you, it may be so good that the instant you return you'll start thinking about your next chance to get away!
January 19, 2006