We’ve all heard that booking early is the golden rule for travel savings. And yes, locking in well ahead of time can score you competitive rates. But here’s the insider scoop many seasoned travellers and industry pros know: waiting until the last minute can sometimes land you five-star holidays for significantly less.
It all comes down to simple economics: tour operators operate on fixed schedules with pre-booked allocations for hotel rooms, guides, entry fees, etc. If they don’t fill all the spots on the tour, it’s lost revenue—so they often release “unsold inventory” at reduced rates between 120 and 30 days before departure. And that’s your chance to pounce on a last minute travel deal!
It might seem counterintuitive, but all-inclusive luxury packages—especially last-minute ones—can often work out cheaper than planning everything yourself.
Why? Because premium accommodation rates are usually dynamic and surge closer to travel dates. Tour operators, however, lock in rates months in advance, meaning you benefit from pre-negotiated prices that can be 15–25% lower than what you'd pay booking direct.
Then there's the added value: airport transfers, porterage and skip-the-line entry to top attractions are usually bundled into the cost, sparing you from surprise expenses on arrival.
Guided experiences that would normally cost extra are included—along with meals (often in upscale or authentic local settings), tipping, taxes and even a dedicated Travel Director or tour guide. Altogether, these little extras add up fast in a DIY trip, but come neatly packaged—and often discounted—in a luxury all-inclusive tour deal.
More on how inclusive coach tours can stretch your travel Rands here.
Last minute travel deal shopping is a bit like gambling; sometimes you’ll win big if you hold out, other times you may come up short. You can, however, increase your odds by:
Shopping “Shoulder Windows”: Big brands may quietly publish Last Minute Deals, often for travel during the Spring months—the gap between summer highs and festive peaks. Keep a beady eye out for these deals in the lead-up to Spring!
Using Fare Holds or Refundable Flights: If flights aren’t included, use airlines that offer 24-hour fare holds, or book with full-refund flexibility. Secure your package first, then lock in flights within the risk-free window.
Stacking Loyalty Perks. Many tour companies offer loyalty perks—like Trafalgar’s Global Tour Rewards or Contiki’s Past Traveller Discounts—which can give you up to an extra 5% off, even on already-discounted last-minute deals.
Alerting Your Travel Agent: Many top deals never make it online. Let a trusted travel agent know you’re open to last-minute travel; they’ll often get first dibs on quiet releases or insider offers.
Flexing Your Dates: Set your search to be flexible by ± 3 days—a one-day difference in departure can mean snagging a tour with extra availability, and extra savings.
Watching Currency Swings: Tour prices set in foreign currencies are updated weekly or monthly. If the euro or yen drops in value and your operator hasn’t yet updated prices, you could bag a double discount.
When shopping for last minute travel deals, you need to be on high alert in order not to be left short or, worse, scammed. Aside from booking via a trusted and ASATA-accredited travel agency, remember to always:
Check the Inclusions Carefully: Is airfare included? If not, make sure to budget realistically for flights and any interconnecting legs.
Have Your Funds Ready: Most last-minute deals require immediate full payment. Ensure you’ve got the funds available—or use a credit card, preferably one with an interest-free period.
Get Travel Insurance Immediately: Don’t skip this step. For last-minute trips especially, you’ll want cover for unexpected cancellations, lost luggage or medical issues abroad.
Pack Smart and Light: Many luxury packages include porterage, but airlines don’t always play nice with heavy bags. Keep it simple and save.
Budget for Optional Add-ons: Some experiences—like a private gondola ride in Venice or sunrise hot air balloon in Cappadocia—aren’t always included. Plan for extras you can’t miss, and pre-book to save.
Luxury travel is no longer reserved for early birds or high rollers. With a touch of flexibility, the right timing and some insider smarts, you can level up your next holiday without blowing your budget.
Keep your notifications turned on, your travel agent on speed dial and your passport within reach—because your next Champagne sunset in Paris, Kyoto or the Greek Isles might just be a click away.
Save up to 20% on last-minute deals from Trafalgar Tours when you book any of these inclusive coach travel packages*:
6 Night Italian Holiday tour: Was R37,300; NOW priced from R33,570.00 pps. Full package details and Ts and Cs here.
6 Night European Highlights and Paris tour: Was R40,700; NOW priced from R36,630 pps. Full package details and Ts and Cs here.
8 Night Best of Egypt tour: Was R61,300; NOW priced from R53,097 pps. Full package details and Ts and Cs here.
8 Night Splendours of Japan tour: Was R80,600, NOW priced from R70,928 pps. Full package details and Ts and Cs here.
*All packages include transfers as per itinerary; accommodation in cherry-picked hotels; breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified; Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi; an expert Travel Director and professional Driver; all porterage and restaurant gratuities; all hotel tips, charges and local taxes; all sightseeing as per itinerary; Optional Experiences and free time.
To book, contact your nearest Sure Travel Agent.
