31 hacks to save on last-minute travel plans

Last-minute travel isn't known for its affordability. That can be particularly true during the holiday season, when many are traveling to visit friends and family, or taking advantage of time off to vacation in warmer weather.

However, there are ways to cut costs for last-minute travel, whether you're taking a trip in the waning weeks of 2015 or any other time of year. Here are 31 tips that can help you cut your travel costs.

1. Check Last-Minute Deal Sites
LastMinuteTravel.com and the Last Minute Travel Deals mobile app offer hotels, flights, car rentals, vacation homes, activities and more, at prices of up to 70 percent off retail, according to a company spokesperson. First-time users can also get $25 off their first hotel stay by registering through the app.

2. Let the Deal Dictate the Destination
Sites like Owner Direct Vacation Rentals highlight last-minute deals that net significant savings if your plans are flexible. For example, a recent list of the top 20 vacation rental deals offered discounts of 30 percent to 55 percent on properties located everywhere from Barbados to the Orlando, Fla., area.

3. Skip Hotels and Negotiate
Teri Gault, CEO of TheGroceryGame.com, filters results from rental booking companies and local real estate agencies to hone in on desirable rentals that are still available. She waits until just a few days before her scheduled travel dates.

"Most vacation property owners are glad to rent to someone at the last minute, even if for half the price," she said. "Use filters to keep an eye on available inventory for what you want while you wait. You're going to watch available inventory, then as late as possible, even two to three days before, contact the booking company and haggle. The key is to use a website that offers private property rentals."

4. Bigger Is Sometimes Better
Don't disregard larger homes, even if you're traveling alone or as a pair, said Scott Breon, chief revenue officer for vacation property rental site Vacasa.

"If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway with your spouse or best friend, you are more likely to get a discount on a larger home than a small one," he said. "Last-minute trips are typically small groups, so the larger homes are more likely to sit empty. You might just find yourself in a better location or with better amenities."

5. Keep Watching for Price Alerts
Even if you've already booked a cruise, hotel room or airline ticket, price alert apps can be useful. If a fare drops at the last minute, try calling to negotiate for the lower rate, or ask for credit toward future travel or other amenities, said Mike Jirout, co-creator of Ship Mate, an app that offers fare alerts and other cruise tracking features. "As soon as we launched the price alert feature, one of our users saved $900, so we knew this function would be a huge asset to our cruise community," he said.

6. Place Last-Minute Bids on Airfare
Sites such as Priceline can offer significant savings to last-minute travelers who bid on airfare. "If you book within seven days of departure, you can save up to 50 percent off on last-minute flights," said Priceline travel analyst Brian Ek. "Simply enter the details — desired dates, airport and number of travelers — and then bid on airfare."

7. Book a Hotel the Day of Your Stay
Several apps and websites, including Priceline and Hotels.com, feature last-minute hotel deals that offer deep discounts to those who are booking a room for that night. If same-day scheduling makes you nervous, book a room in advance at a hotel that has a liberal cancellation policy, then nix that reservation if you find a better deal.

"I recently booked a five-star hotel the day of, and saved around $150 on the room, over 50 percent off," said Kristina Portillo, founder of BusinessTravelLife.com. "If you are traveling to a busy area, remember you may not be able to get a room at all if the hotels are sold out, so it is a good idea to have a backup, especially when traveling with children."

8. Pick Up the Phone
It's not always necessary to use websites and apps to name your own room rate, particularly if you wait until the last minute to call, said travel writer Janice S. Lintz.

"Call the hotel directly and ask if they have a room for X price, which is the amount you want to pay," she said. "This way, there isn't an obvious negotiation, but they can determine discreetly if they want to sell the room for that price. An unsold room is lost revenue."

9. Consider a Road Trip
Thanksgiving travelers enjoyed the lowest holiday gas prices since 2008, according to AAA, and the national average pump price is expected to drop below $2 a gallon by the Christmas holiday. Apps like GasBuddy can also help you find the lowest-priced fuel no matter where you go.

"Generally, the holidays are a busy time, so it can be tough to find a last-minute super-saver deal. However, if you're willing to stay locally, you can have a blast," said Greg Johnson, founder of Travel Blue Book. "Check out a local hotel or water park that you can drive to. That way, you'll be able to avoid the hassle of flying during the holidays — and you'll save a lot of money doing it."

10. See a Show
TodayTix is a mobile app that lets users book discounted theater tickets anywhere from seven days to just one hour before shows. TodayTix operates in New York City, London, the San Francisco Bay area and Washington, D.C.

In one example, it offered next-day rear orchestra tickets for the musical "Matilda" in New York City for $99, a discount of $28, according to its website. TodayTix also offered significant savings on seats in other sections for the same show, when compared with those offered through Telecharge.com. However, prices do vary, so it doesn't hurt to check both and compare.

11. Bargain Hunt Across Multiple Platforms
"Many travel companies 'mix and match' their offers to appeal to customers on a variety of devices," said Carrie Peters, travel editor for Hotwire. "For example, look for mobile-only offers, daily deals via email, etc."

12. Compromise to Save Cash
If you want to try the last-minute travel tactic, you'll need to be flexible with dates and times, said Dave Boehl, founder of GraphicBomb, which owns and operates travel deal site GoLastMinute.com. He said the weekdays are when you'll find the best hotel and flight rates. Last-minute cruises are also typically heavily discounted, but you probably won't get an ocean view at the lowest rates.

"For example, we recently published a deal on a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas at the starting rate of $529, which is 49 percent off the brochure price," he added. "If you want an ocean view or balcony cabin, the prices go up from there."

13. Take a Bus or Train
If you have a little extra time and last-minute airfares are steep, consider traveling by train or bus. Apps like Wanderu can help you search for deals on ground transportation provided by Megabus, Amtrak, Greyhound and others. For example, Megabus recently offered a last-minute, one-way ride from Orlando, Fla., to Miami for just $20 through Wanderu.

14. Avoid the Busiest Travel Days
Even last-minute travelers can save money if they adopt a more flexible flight schedule. "For example, it's about $28 (6 percent) cheaper to depart on Christmas day compared to flying on Dec. 23, and it's about $133 (26 percent) cheaper to fly on New Year's Day compared to Dec. 26," said Patrick Surry, chief data scientist for Hopper, a mobile app that uses massive data sets to predict and analyze airfares.

15. Stay Somewhere New
Recently opened hotels typically offer reduced rates to attract customers, according to Real Simple. Try searching the online editions of local newspapers and business journals of cities you plan to visit for information on the area's newest hotels.

16. Search for Airfare Promo Codes and Sales
Sites like FareCompare compile deals and list unadvertised specials to help make it easier to be a deal detective. However, you might have to go to the airline's site to make the actual reservation.

17. Window Shop on Monday, Book on Tuesday
"Many airlines launch sales on Monday afternoons," said Peters. "We recommend booking air on Tuesday afternoons when competing airlines respond by lowering their prices."

18. Book Flights in the Afternoon
Many airlines will also match competitors' sale prices, or at least reduce their fares to be more competitive, said Jeanette Pavini, a savings expert at Coupons.com. So even if a sale fare doesn't fit your schedule, you can use it as a starting point for shopping.

"When a sale is posted, wait until about 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to see if other airlines have matched it, or have brought the price down to be more competitive," she added.

19. Check for Compassion Fares
Some airlines offer bereavement or "compassion" fares for those booking last minute because of a death or serious illness in the family. If this is the case for you, the airline typically requires some sort of documentation to prove the unfortunate reason behind the booking.

Delta, for example, offers bereavement fares for those booking because of the death, or imminent death, of an immediate family member. However, it requires the name of the family member, name of the traveler, name and phone number of the funeral home, hospital or hospice, or the name of the doctor, if applicable. The fares aren't discounted, and might not even be the lowest price out there, but they do offer additional flexibility for last-minute changes to travel plans, according to the airline's website.

20. Set an Alarm
Early-morning flights typically offer lower fares than ones that leave later in the day. CheapAir's Holiday Cheap Flights Report even recommended checking fares first thing New Year's Day. So last-minute travelers might want to skip the New Year's Eve party or plan an all-nighter to take advantage of this travel hack.

21. Use a Travel Agent
Connect with a few travel agents and ask them to get in touch if they have an open spot or last-minute cancellation on a package tour. Travelers willing to take advantage of these opportunities will often reap such significant savings that make the travel agent's fee worth it.

What's more, some agents' fees are paid by the travel companies they work with, according to LearnVest Planning Services. Travel agencies, whether virtual — like Orbitz — or brick-and-mortar, also have access to some packages and secret deals that aren't available to the general public.

22. Shop for Bundles
Travel agencies would rather slash package prices than have unsold inventory, according to Pavini. "The biggest pitfall of last-minute travel can be airfare costs," she said. "If you can't find a flight within your budget, check vacation packages. Agencies buy a batch of plane tickets in advance, then bundle them with hotels and car rentals. As the trip approaches, they need to sell these packages or it will be a loss to them."

23. Take Advantage of Cancellations
Money magazine suggests following favorite all-inclusive resorts on Twitter and Facebook, where they will sometimes announce last-minute cancellations in an effort to resell spots at a significantly reduced rate. Or try Roomer.com, where people who can't use their reserved hotel rooms resell them for as much as 85 percent off the advertised rate. Roomer takes care of the technicalities behind transferring the reservation once you buy.

24. Use Your Reward Miles
Airlines typically require travelers to redeem fewer miles for last-minute trips, so it's worth trying to use your reward miles or points, according to a Washington Post interview with Brian Kelly of ThePointsGuy.com.

"If you collect miles, you can use miles to book free flights," said Patti Reddi, founder of The Savvy Globetrotter. "Airlines frequently release empty seats for award flights a day or two before the flight."

25. Travel Off-Season
"If booking at the last minute, consider travel to off-season destinations, as flights and hotels will be less busy," said Reddi. Fares will typically be less expensive and resorts often publish their off-peak rates right on their website.

Hix Island House, located on the island of Vieques just off of mainland Puerto Rico, listed rates of $425 a night for a two-bedroom loft in the property's Casa Solaris building from Jan. 4, 2016 through April 4, 2016. From April 5, 2015 through Dec. 23, 2015, rates start at $345 for the same space but climb to $725 a night, excluding taxes and fees, for a few days around Christmas.

26. Skip the Weekends
Although weekday rates might not be a bargain for travel to business-oriented locations, many vacation destinations offer lower rates during the week. "The best time to look for a vacation rental is off-peak and midweek, as the occupancy rates are typically lower during this time," said Cliff Johnson, Vacasa co-founder and chief development officer. "The great news is that those times are often the best times to visit a new location, as there are fewer other tourists around."

27. Find Car Rental Coupons and Promo Codes
Airlines aren't the only travel companies that offer promo codes online. It's worth searching for deals on hotels, rental cars and more. For example, Coupon Sherpa currently lists several promo codes for Thrifty Car Rental, including one code expiring Feb. 1, that gives users 10 percent off a weekend rental.

28. Stay Connected for Less
Maybe you were lucky enough to snag a last-minute deal on international travel and don't have time to research your wireless provider's international calling plans. You might want to try KnowRoaming's Global SIM Sticker, available for $29.99 at KnowRoaming.com.

"The sticker is applied just once to the SIM card of an unlocked phone and activates when you travel abroad, giving you access to great voice, data and SMS rates — up to 85 percent off in 200-plus countries," said Lisa Cimini, KnowRoaming communications coordinator.

29. Don't Exchange Currency at the Airport
If you're traveling to a country with a different currency, don't use the airport currency exchange desk. Check currency exchange rates online first, said Ros Banks, online marketing manager for the private accommodations site Wimdu.

"Most airport currency exchange companies have a better rate online than at the physical desk, so purchase your currency online while you're waiting at the airport, and just choose the option to pick it up from the desk," she said. "You'll get a more favorable rate, with no extra hassle or time wasted."

30. Let Someone Else Do the Driving
Last-minute travelers can book Blacklane's car and driver service with as little as an hour's notice. And if you're traveling with little ones, let the reservation agent know their ages and weights. The company can provide car seats free of charge, saving parents the hassle of hauling their own car seat for the sake of a few cab rides.

31. Look for 'Hidden City' Deals
Skiplagged.com is known for helping flexible fliers find "hidden city" deals. Hidden city deals refer to circumstances in which travelers book multi-legged flights that feature connections in the places they really want to go, and skip connections to destinations where they don't. In some cases, it costs less to book a flight with a connection, and then not take the second leg of the trip, than it would to book a flight to the actual city desired. While these hidden city fares can offer steep discounts, travelers should know that they will be unable to check bags if they use this option.

So if you have some time off this holiday season, use these tips to treat yourself to a trip without sabotaging your savings.

From GoBankingRates.com: 31 hacks to save on last-minute travel plans

Last-minute travel isn’t known for its affordability. That can be particularly true during the holiday season, when many are traveling to visit friends and family, or taking advantage of time off to vacation in warmer weather.

However, there are ways to cut costs for last-minute travel, whether you’re taking a trip in the waning weeks of 2015 or any other time of year. Here are 31 tips that can help you cut your travel costs.

Read: How to Get Richer Without Getting a Raise

1. Check Last-Minute Deal Sites

LastMinuteTravel.com and the Last Minute Travel Deals mobile app offer hotels, flights, car rentals, vacation homes, activities and more, at prices of up to 70 percent off retail, according to a company spokesperson. First-time users can also get $25 off their first hotel stay by registering through the app.

2. Let the Deal Dictate the Destination

Sites like Owner Direct Vacation Rentals highlight last-minute deals that net significant savings if your plans are flexible. For example, a recent list of the top 20 vacation rental deals offered discounts of 30 percent to 55 percent on properties located everywhere from Barbados to the Orlando, Fla., area.

3. Skip Hotels and Negotiate

Teri Gault, CEO of TheGroceryGame.com, filters results from rental booking companies and local real estate agencies to hone in on desirable rentals that are still available. She waits until just a few days before her scheduled travel dates.

“Most vacation property owners are glad to rent to someone at the last minute, even if for half the price,” she said. “Use filters to keep an eye on available inventory for what you want while you wait. You’re going to watch available inventory, then as late as possible, even two to three days before, contact the booking company and haggle. The key is to use a website that offers private property rentals.”

4. Bigger Is Sometimes Better

Don’t disregard larger homes, even if you’re traveling alone or as a pair, said Scott Breon, chief revenue officer for vacation property rental site Vacasa.

“If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway with your spouse or best friend, you are more likely to get a discount on a larger home than a small one,” he said. “Last-minute trips are typically small groups, so the larger homes are more likely to sit empty. You might just find yourself in a better location or with better amenities.”

5. Keep Watching for Price Alerts

Even if you’ve already booked a cruise, hotel room or airline ticket, price alert apps can be useful. If a fare drops at the last minute, try calling to negotiate for the lower rate, or ask for credit toward future travel or other amenities, said Mike Jirout, co-creator of Ship Mate, an app that offers fare alerts and other cruise tracking features. “As soon as we launched the price alert feature, one of our users saved $900, so we knew this function would be a huge asset to our cruise community,” he said.

Read: 5 Ways to Make a Better Plan for Your Money in 2016

6. Place Last-Minute Bids on Airfare

Sites such as Priceline can offer significant savings to last-minute travelers who bid on airfare. “If you book within seven days of departure, you can save up to 50 percent off on last-minute flights,” said Priceline travel analyst Brian Ek. “Simply enter the details — desired dates, airport and number of travelers — and then bid on airfare.”

7. Book a Hotel the Day of Your Stay

Several apps and websites, including Priceline and Hotels.com, feature last-minute hotel deals that offer deep discounts to those who are booking a room for that night. If same-day scheduling makes you nervous, book a room in advance at a hotel that has a liberal cancellation policy, then nix that reservation if you find a better deal.

“I recently booked a five-star hotel the day of, and saved around $150 on the room, over 50 percent off,” said Kristina Portillo, founder of BusinessTravelLife.com. “If you are traveling to a busy area, remember you may not be able to get a room at all if the hotels are sold out, so it is a good idea to have a backup, especially when traveling with children.”

8. Pick Up the Phone

It’s not always necessary to use websites and apps to name your own room rate, particularly if you wait until the last minute to call, said travel writer Janice S. Lintz.

“Call the hotel directly and ask if they have a room for X price, which is the amount you want to pay,” she said. “This way, there isn’t an obvious negotiation, but they can determine discreetly if they want to sell the room for that price. An unsold room is lost revenue.”

9. Consider a Road Trip

Thanksgiving travelers enjoyed the lowest holiday gas prices since 2008, according to AAA, and the national average pump price is expected to drop below $2 a gallon by the Christmas holiday. Apps like GasBuddy can also help you find the lowest-priced fuel no matter where you go.

“Generally, the holidays are a busy time, so it can be tough to find a last-minute super-saver deal. However, if you’re willing to stay locally, you can have a blast,” said Greg Johnson, founder of Travel Blue Book. “Check out a local hotel or water park that you can drive to. That way, you’ll be able to avoid the hassle of flying during the holidays — and you’ll save a lot of money doing it.”

10. See a Show

TodayTix is a mobile app that lets users book discounted theater tickets anywhere from seven days to just one hour before shows. TodayTix operates in New York City, London, the San Francisco Bay area and Washington, D.C.

In one example, it offered next-day rear orchestra tickets for the musical “Matilda” in New York City for $99, a discount of $28, according to its website. TodayTix also offered significant savings on seats in other sections for the same show, when compared with those offered through Telecharge.com. However, prices do vary, so it doesn’t hurt to check both and compare.

11. Bargain Hunt Across Multiple Platforms

“Many travel companies ‘mix and match’ their offers to appeal to customers on a variety of devices,” said Carrie Peters, travel editor for Hotwire. “For example, look for mobile-only offers, daily deals via email, etc.”

12. Compromise to Save Cash

If you want to try the last-minute travel tactic, you’ll need to be flexible with dates and times, said Dave Boehl, founder of GraphicBomb, which owns and operates travel deal site GoLastMinute.com. He said the weekdays are when you’ll find the best hotel and flight rates. Last-minute cruises are also typically heavily discounted, but you probably won’t get an ocean view at the lowest rates.

“For example, we recently published a deal on a Christmas cruise to the Bahamas at the starting rate of $529, which is 49 percent off the brochure price,” he added. “If you want an ocean view or balcony cabin, the prices go up from there.”

13. Take a Bus or Train

If you have a little extra time and last-minute airfares are steep, consider traveling by train or bus. Apps like Wanderu can help you search for deals on ground transportation provided by Megabus, Amtrak, Greyhound and others. For example, Megabus recently offered a last-minute, one-way ride from Orlando, Fla., to Miami for just $20 through Wanderu.

14. Avoid the Busiest Travel Days

Even last-minute travelers can save money if they adopt a more flexible flight schedule. “For example, it’s about $28 (6 percent) cheaper to depart on Christmas day compared to flying on Dec. 23, and it’s about $133 (26 percent) cheaper to fly on New Year’s Day compared to Dec. 26,” said Patrick Surry, chief data scientist for Hopper, a mobile app that uses massive data sets to predict and analyze airfares.

15. Stay Somewhere New

Recently opened hotels typically offer reduced rates to attract customers, according to Real Simple. Try searching the online editions of local newspapers and business journals of cities you plan to visit for information on the area’s newest hotels.

16. Search for Airfare Promo Codes and Sales

Sites like FareCompare compile deals and list unadvertised specials to help make it easier to be a deal detective. However, you might have to go to the airline’s site to make the actual reservation.

17. Window Shop on Monday, Book on Tuesday

“Many airlines launch sales on Monday afternoons,” said Peters. “We recommend booking air on Tuesday afternoons when competing airlines respond by lowering their prices.”

18. Book Flights in the Afternoon

Many airlines will also match competitors’ sale prices, or at least reduce their fares to be more competitive, said Jeanette Pavini, a savings expert at Coupons.com. So even if a sale fare doesn’t fit your schedule, you can use it as a starting point for shopping.

“When a sale is posted, wait until about 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time to see if other airlines have matched it, or have brought the price down to be more competitive,” she added.

Read: Why 2016 Is the Year of the Entrepreneur

19. Check for Compassion Fares

Some airlines offer bereavement or “compassion” fares for those booking last minute because of a death or serious illness in the family. If this is the case for you, the airline typically requires some sort of documentation to prove the unfortunate reason behind the booking.

Delta, for example, offers bereavement fares for those booking because of the death, or imminent death, of an immediate family member. However, it requires the name of the family member, name of the traveler, name and phone number of the funeral home, hospital or hospice, or the name of the doctor, if applicable. The fares aren’t discounted, and might not even be the lowest price out there, but they do offer additional flexibility for last-minute changes to travel plans, according to the airline’s website.

20. Set an Alarm

Early-morning flights typically offer lower fares than ones that leave later in the day. CheapAir’s Holiday Cheap Flights Report even recommended checking fares first thing New Year’s Day. So last-minute travelers might want to skip the New Year’s Eve party or plan an all-nighter to take advantage of this travel hack.

21. Use a Travel Agent

Connect with a few travel agents and ask them to get in touch if they have an open spot or last-minute cancellation on a package tour. Travelers willing to take advantage of these opportunities will often reap such significant savings that make the travel agent’s fee worth it.

What’s more, some agents’ fees are paid by the travel companies they work with, according to LearnVest Planning Services. Travel agencies, whether virtual — like Orbitz — or brick-and-mortar, also have access to some packages and secret deals that aren’t available to the general public.

22. Shop for Bundles

Travel agencies would rather slash package prices than have unsold inventory, according to Pavini. “The biggest pitfall of last-minute travel can be airfare costs,” she said. “If you can’t find a flight within your budget, check vacation packages. Agencies buy a batch of plane tickets in advance, then bundle them with hotels and car rentals. As the trip approaches, they need to sell these packages or it will be a loss to them.”

23. Take Advantage of Cancellations

Money magazine suggests following favorite all-inclusive resorts on Twitter and Facebook, where they will sometimes announce last-minute cancellations in an effort to resell spots at a significantly reduced rate. Or try Roomer.com, where people who can’t use their reserved hotel rooms resell them for as much as 85 percent off the advertised rate. Roomer takes care of the technicalities behind transferring the reservation once you buy.

24. Use Your Reward Miles

Airlines typically require travelers to redeem fewer miles for last-minute trips, so it’s worth trying to use your reward miles or points, according to a Washington Post interview with Brian Kelly of ThePointsGuy.com.

“If you collect miles, you can use miles to book free flights,” said Patti Reddi, founder of The Savvy Globetrotter. “Airlines frequently release empty seats for award flights a day or two before the flight.”

25. Travel Off-Season

“If booking at the last minute, consider travel to off-season destinations, as flights and hotels will be less busy,” said Reddi. Fares will typically be less expensive and resorts often publish their off-peak rates right on their website.

Hix Island House, located on the island of Vieques just off of mainland Puerto Rico, listed rates of $425 a night for a two-bedroom loft in the property’s Casa Solaris building from Jan. 4, 2016 through April 4, 2016. From April 5, 2015 through Dec. 23, 2015, rates start at $345 for the same space but climb to $725 a night, excluding taxes and fees, for a few days around Christmas.

26. Skip the Weekends

Although weekday rates might not be a bargain for travel to business-oriented locations, many vacation destinations offer lower rates during the week. “The best time to look for a vacation rental is off-peak and midweek, as the occupancy rates are typically lower during this time,” said Cliff Johnson, Vacasa co-founder and chief development officer. “The great news is that those times are often the best times to visit a new location, as there are fewer other tourists around.”

27. Find Car Rental Coupons and Promo Codes

Airlines aren’t the only travel companies that offer promo codes online. It’s worth searching for deals on hotels, rental cars and more. For example, Coupon Sherpa currently lists several promo codes for Thrifty Car Rental, including one code expiring Feb. 1, that gives users 10 percent off a weekend rental.

28. Stay Connected for Less

Maybe you were lucky enough to snag a last-minute deal on international travel and don’t have time to research your wireless provider’s international calling plans. You might want to try KnowRoaming’s Global SIM Sticker, available for $29.99 at KnowRoaming.com.

“The sticker is applied just once to the SIM card of an unlocked phone and activates when you travel abroad, giving you access to great voice, data and SMS rates — up to 85 percent off in 200-plus countries,” said Lisa Cimini,KnowRoaming communications coordinator.

29. Don’t Exchange Currency at the Airport

If you’re traveling to a country with a different currency, don’t use the airport currency exchange desk. Check currency exchange rates online first, said Ros Banks, online marketing manager for the private accommodations site Wimdu.

“Most airport currency exchange companies have a better rate online than at the physical desk, so purchase your currency online while you’re waiting at the airport, and just choose the option to pick it up from the desk,” she said. “You’ll get a more favorable rate, with no extra hassle or time wasted.”

30. Let Someone Else Do the Driving

Last-minute travelers can book Blacklane’s car and driver service with as little as an hour’s notice. And if you’re traveling with little ones, let the reservation agent know their ages and weights. The company can provide car seats free of charge, saving parents the hassle of hauling their own car seat for the sake of a few cab rides.

31. Look for ‘Hidden City’ Deals

Skiplagged.com is known for helping flexible fliers find “hidden city” deals. Hidden city deals refer to circumstances in which travelers book multi-legged flights that feature connections in the places they really want to go, and skip connections to destinations where they don’t. In some cases, it costs less to book a flight with a connection, and then not take the second leg of the trip, than it would to book a flight to the actual city desired. While these hidden city fares can offer steep discounts, travelers should know that they will be unable to check bags if they use this option.

So if you have some time off this holiday season, use these tips to treat yourself to a trip without sabotaging your savings.