| Most of us have been affected in some way by the | | | | encourage people to book them. |
| recession. We were warned by the government that | | | | Check different airports, it could work out cheaper to |
| times were going to be tough but media surveys | | | | fly from airports further afield than those close to |
| showed that the majority of us refused to give up | | | | home, sometimes the cost of getting there |
| our annual holidays. However, in reality, many of us | | | | outweighs the difference in price. |
| have had to forgo our annual trip to sunny climes and | | | | Be careful when booking to check for hidden |
| now the winter is here, we are really feel like we've | | | | charges, cheap last minute holidays can become more |
| missed out. So we need to think about how we can | | | | and more expensive at each click of a button if you |
| still manage to get away on holiday, while sticking to | | | | are not careful. Some airlines will give you a base |
| a budget. So what is the best way to go about | | | | price and then add 'extras' as you go along, for |
| finding cheap last minute holidays? | | | | instance flight meals, pre booked seating and |
| An ideal place to start is on the internet, this gives | | | | checking in baggage, then just when you think you've |
| the widest option of finding the best prices without | | | | agreed a price, they add a credit card charge on. |
| trailing from shop to shop. You can start your search | | | | Add your details carefully, and always check the small |
| in different ways; you may have a destination in mind | | | | print as some companies can charge a small fortune |
| so you can use a search engine such as Yahoo or | | | | to amend a booking, we're talking £50 just to |
| Google, and search directly for that, or you may be | | | | amend an initial here so be warned!! It can be false |
| more general and search for 'cheap last minute | | | | economy to get bargain cheap last minute holidays, |
| holidays' for example. This will result in a number of | | | | only to discover you're paying a fortune in extra |
| options being brought up which you can then | | | | charges. |
| compare. Searching online means you could benefit | | | | Make sure the company you book with is either |
| from any last minute sales, you will also have the | | | | ABTA (Association of British travel Agents) or ATOL |
| option to sign up for airlines email offers so you will | | | | (Air Travel Organisers' Licensing) bonded, and then if |
| receive discount news before anyone else. | | | | anything does go wrong with your tour operator, |
| Booking flights that fly at unsociable times can also | | | | you should be covered financially. ABTA is for agents |
| save you money, no-one opts for these flights as a | | | | who sell holidays on behalf of a tour operator, ATOL |
| rule if they can help it so airlines usually charge less to | | | | is for those who sell flight tickets only. |