Louisiana travel agents share tips to save money on last-minute summer vacations

Booking an unplanned summer vacation can go either one of two ways — really good or really bad. 

A last-minute summer vacation can be exciting, but comes with its own set of challenges. Either way, finding cheaper flights can be less stressful when planned accordingly. 

Knowing the factors that impact flight prices can help save on flights. Here is advice from owners of Acadiana travel agencies.

Meagan Sonnier, owner of Travel Machine, a company that has helped Acadiana residents plan unique and engaging trips since 1975, believes traveling is all about using what you know.

“Most travelers prefer to fly on weekends or around vacation days, making midweek less crowded and therefore cheaper,” stated Sonnier.

Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday can be cheaper due to availability and not because of the day itself but because of higher availability on weekdays, some experts say.

Route popularity, airline competition and type of booking can also affect prices.

Once you find your ideal destination and date, Google Flights’ search engine can help you find cheaper flight by comparing prices.

Google Flights will look for patterns and price drops and email you about upcoming deals offered for your destination. 

For any frequent flyers, checking reward points can significantly offset the cost and make spontaneous trips more affordable.

Lastly, travel agencies offer a bigger bang for your bucks. 

Most agencies have relationships with resorts, cruise lines and airlines, which can help in terms of finding the most affordable prices.

“Most people, if they book their own vacation, they just don’t know that. They don’t know how to go back in and just keep price checking, or they don’t take the time to do it. But we do that as part of our service,” said Marissa Prejean, owner of Cruises and Castles travel agency in Lafayette.

At the end of the day, getting cheap flights is no longer about booking flights on the “right” day. Instead, using tracking tools to find the best flight price when planning your summer vacation is the best way to save.