5 Sites for Last-Minute Travel

Whether you know exactly where you d like to visit, or need help figuring out a destination, there are three sites with a range of tools to help you find the lowest prices at the last minute.

LastMinute.com has a simple goal: to make it easy for travelers to visit a new place every weekend. The site s researchers learn the ins and outs of destinations around the world and jot down spontaneous trip ideas in the Go Last Second section; you ll find vacation packages at up to 70 percent off, sold from three weeks to three hours before departure. You can also plan a trip around a discounted hotel room, specific activity or experience, or an event.

Travelzoo has two advantages over competitors: a team of researchers committed to recommending only the most valuable and legitimate deals, and affiliations with travel companies who list their very best offers on Travelzoo. Check Today s Top Deals and sign up for the Travelzoo Top 20, a weekly list of the lowest prices. Sales on airfare, cruises, hotels, vacation packages and seasonal deals are listed front and center on the homepage.

Hotwire lists Deep Discounts on hotels and airfare to various destinations. Discounts are usually for travel within the next two to three weeks, and are updated hourly. To find the best deals on last-minute flights, use the Flexible Date Search; just enter trip duration and a 30-day window, and Hotwire nails down the lowest fares within your range. Also consult the Hotwire Travel Ticker . which posts insider deals found by the site s team of travel experts, and is updated frequently.

If you re worried about missing out on airfare deals after you book, there are two sites perfectly tailored to you.

Orbitz has a new money-saving feature called Price Assurance, which tracks prices from the time you book, until the day you depart. If another customer books the same itinerary at a lower price, Orbitz will mail you a check for the difference within 30 days of your trip. Also try the Deal Detector, which lets you set your own desired airfare; Orbitz will find a match and alert you to it.

Yapta has similar features to Orbitz, including a price tracker, price-drop alerts, and post-purchase refunds if the airfare dips. But instead of receiving a check from Yapta, the site will either give you explicit instructions on how to claim your travel credit from the airline, or call the airline on your behalf for a $15 fee.

findingDulcinea Links

For an all-encompassing travel guide with a range of Web sites, visit the findingDulcinea Web Guide to Travel. Get ideas for where to go, general advice on booking your trip, tips on getting there and finding a place to stay, and the scoop on travel requirements, such as passports and visas.

If saving a buck is your main concern, peruse the findingDulcinea Web Guide to Budget Travel. which includes a section on last-minute airfare, hotels and packages.