You need to be very flexible on where and when you travel to find the 4 or 5 star at the 3 star price.\u00a0 Remember, whatever you buy at the last minute, did not sell in advance.\u00a0 I know this sounds obvious, but you are picking amongst \u201cthe leftovers\u201d, not unlike going to the bakery or farmers market at the end of the day, or to the clothing store at the end the season for a clearance with limited selection and sizes.\u00a0 If you intentionally wait until the last minute for a deal and watch the market throughout, you will see prices going up and down and things selling out.\u00a0 The best values, the best quality and scarcest hotels, and the best flights go first.<\/p>\n
You need to be prepared to go this day or that, this week or that, to this destination or that.\u00a0 In fact, in order to be a true last minute buyer, you should not lose an ounce of sleep if you go nowhere because there was no good deal, or things sold out.\u00a0 If you are not this flexible, you should not intentionally wait to the last minute. \u00a0 A vacation should be a fun experience, including the searching and booking process.<\/p>\n
There is value in \u201cbeing booked\u201d in advance that many people don\u2019t consider \u2013 the value of waking up every day and looking forward to a certain vacation.\u00a0 How does this affect your happiness?\u00a0 If you get as much happiness from being booked 4 months in advance as a cup of Starbucks coffee a day, that\u2019s 120x$3 = $360.\u00a0 We think it\u2019s at least worth that! People forget about the benefit in the anticipation of the trip, taking the trip, and the memories; getting what meets your needs is more important than the price itself.\u00a0 Saving some money and not getting what you want or expect is a waste of money.<\/p>\n
That said, if you can check your mind out until the last minute, here\u2019s when the best times are for last minute deals.<\/p>\n
Low Demand Periods for Canadian Travellers:<\/strong>\u00a0 There are some periods of time for airlines and tour operators out of Canada that are difficult to sell year after year.\u00a0 The last minute price dumping that occurs can vary year to year based on changes in supply.\u00a0 For example, in December 2014, Canjet Vacations flew from Toronto to Sun Destinations (and closed shop at the end of April 2015) and these seats added extra capacity to the market.\u00a0 Those seats being gone, 2016 may have less last minute distress pricing for the Toronto market.\u00a0 At any rate, the following are the times:<\/p>\n Sun:\u00a0 June and September:<\/strong>\u00a0 You might be surprised that it is not July or August.\u00a0 Most Canadians figure this would be the lowest season to sun destinations but it\u2019s not.\u00a0 The pricing and availability is a function of both flight availability from Canada and hotel availability from a worldwide market.\u00a0 Aircraft come off the sun destinations and head back to Europe for summer travel in May, and don\u2019t typically return to Canada until November or December.\u00a0 The large change in supply from April to May affects pricing, even though the demand for sun destinations falls in May.\u00a0 It\u2019s still not sun tanning weather in Canada in May, so the price doesn\u2019t drop much.\u00a0 But warmer weather in June, and kids coming out of school in July\/August mean that June is a tough sell.\u00a0 Same with after the kids go back to school after Labour Day.\u00a0 September is also peak Hurricane season, and while the chance of a hurricane is remote, weather systems in the fall have an effect on demand \u2013 it\u2019s a buyer\u2019s market at this time, save and except all of the caveats we have mentioned\u00a0in the book early list<\/a>\u00a0of favourable times (small aircraft, etc).<\/p>\n Sun:<\/strong>\u00a0 First two\/three weeks of December, First Two\/Three weeks of January:<\/strong>\u00a0 Christmas shopping and various Christmas social events during the first two weeks of December really create a dead zone in leisure travel destinations everywhere.\u00a0 If you can skip the socials and get your shopping done early (or late) you can get a great deal.\u00a0 Watch the start of the school break as the cutover point \u2013 it goes way up in price for the school break.<\/p>\n The first couple of weeks of January depend on when the school break falls.\u00a0 If a full week falls in January, then the low time will be two weeks in.\u00a0 If kids are back in school early in January, the first three weeks are tougher to sell.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Credit cards are maxed out and people are \u201cholidayed-out\u201d.\u00a0 This is a fantastic time to get great last minute deals if you are not choosy, and at a time of year that is great.<\/p>\n Sun:\u00a0 April \/ Except for Easter:<\/strong>\u00a0 As winter comes to an end and the snow melts, the airlines and tour operators still have flying market conditions in Canada that are better than Europe.\u00a0 Demand will depend on when Easter falls and how the weather is at the end of March.\u00a0 If winter is going out like a lion, it continues to sell well.\u00a0 If it is warm, you can expect deals.\u00a0 The tour operators and airlines know this well in advance and often price group travel (destination weddings etc.) very aggressively in advance to fill seats and rooms in April.\u00a0 So this is an \u201ciffy time\u201d to wait.\u00a0 You could end up disappointed depending on how flexible you are.<\/p>\n What about Vegas?<\/strong>\u00a0 It\u2019s hot there June-September and convention season picks up towards the end of September and October.\u00a0 Flights stay in place year round from Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, so this with aggressive hotel prices make for great pricing.\u00a0 Between US Thanksgiving and Christmas break is a tough sell (many shows are not offered during this time) and during January and February the weather is not very warm.<\/p>\n Europe<\/strong>\u00a0Late Fall \/ Winter \/ Early Spring:<\/strong>\u00a0 Some airlines fly year round, and if not filled with heavy business traffic, there are seats to be had at good fares during the period from late October to the end of April, excluding the Christmas period.\u00a0 Some seasonal flights only operate from May through September or October, and these seasonal flights have great rates and availability during this time.\u00a0 Since the season is known to be low, airlines will have seat sale activity in advance \u2013 if you see a seat sale for travel during this time it can be advantageous to book ahead, but it is usually not much of a problem getting space at a decent fare during the low season.<\/p>\n Cruises?<\/strong>\u00a0 Not a good idea to book last minute.\u00a0 Cruise lines price on a North American and worldwide market.\u00a0 They may dump in their drive markets like Florida at the last minute.\u00a0 The big reason to not leave a cruise to the last minute is not only cabin choice but mostly the implications of leaving the flights to the last minute.\u00a0 The flights are far more limiting factor for Canadians than the cruise itself.<\/p>\n Tours and River Cruises:\u00a0<\/strong>Coach tours and river cruises sell well in advance and are not typically discounted at the last minute.\u00a0 The same issue applies for flights \u2013 you don\u2019t want to be scrambling to find matching flights, especially in good weather months in Europe.<\/p>\n