Click, pack, go: 5 places where last-minute package deals pay off

Sometimes you just need a bargain holiday quick-smart and you don’t want to overthink it. That’s when package deals come into their own…

By Bron Maxabella

We all know the drill if you want to travel anywhere: hours trawling flight sites, comparing hotels and crunching numbers and search results on whether a place is “worth it”. But here’s some liberating news: you don’t have to do any of it. 

Booking a package holiday – where flights, accommodation and sometimes even meals or tours are bundled into one deal – is the shortcut to easier, often cheaper travel. Especially if you’re flexible and ready to move fast, when booking late can pay off in a very big way. That’s because airlines and hotels hate empty seats and rooms, so when the clock’s ticking, they’d rather slash prices than lose revenue entirely. That’s when you swoop in and click “Book now”.

Why booking a package deal is genius

While you might instinctively shirk away from the idea, there are a few key advantages that make a package deal travel the way to go. 

1. Price. Tour operators negotiate bulk rates with airlines and hotels, then pass on part of the discount to you. Because they buy up big, they get a price that simply isn’t offered anywhere else (perhaps not even on the airline or hotel’s own website).
2. Access. Many package deal operators can offer activities and excursions that you wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Like exclusive cultural tours or unique resort experiences.
3. Peace of mind. Package deals are among the most scrutinised and reviewed travel options available, so you generally know exactly what you’re getting when you arrive. Gone are the days when a room with a dripping tap could be advertised with a ‘water view’.
4. Convenience. Depending on your package, flights, transfers, meals and activities are pre-arranged, making travel planning practically a holiday in itself. For anyone booking something last-minute, this one should really go straight to the top of the list. You simply can’t beat how comparatively effortless a package deal makes travel.

The art of the last-minute deal

Getting the most optimal deal comes down to timing. The magic window for last-minute packages usually opens two to six weeks before departure, though some pop up even a few days out from departure. 

Mid-week departures will almost always be cheaper than weekends and flexibility is your best friend. If you can travel on a Tuesday instead of a weekend, you’ll often save hundreds. Sign up for deal alerts with a trusted platform like Expedia. When a deal lands in your inbox, don’t hesitate: last-minute truly means last-minute.

Step-by-step: how to book it right

1. Pick your week, not your destination (or vice versa). Have a rough window of when and where you’ll go rather than fixating on a single spot. The more flexible you can be about when you’ll go and where, the bigger your potential savings.
2. Set your filters. Click “Packages” on travel sites and sort by “best value” or “biggest discount.” On Expedia, for example, you can select “Shop packages” on the top left of the homepage, then scroll down to “Explore holiday packages to popular destinations” to browse last-minute deals. For example, at the time of writing, a 12-night package holiday to Vietnam was reduced from $6,998 to $2,123.
3. Check inclusions carefully. Some packages include transfers, breakfast, drinks and activities, others don’t, so factor that in before comparing prices.
4. Read the fine print. Look for cancellation policies and date flexibility – some last-minute deals are non-refundable. Always make sure you have adequate travel insurance in place (but you’d that for any kind of travel booking, right?).
5. Move fast, but carefully. Do a thorough scan of the hotel and area on Google Maps and read through plenty of reviews on TripAdvisor and other websites. 
6. Pay with a credit card through Citro Rewards. Most credit cards will give you extra travel protection and booking through Citro Rewards will give you bonus cashback.

So, where are the best places to pull off this little travel jaunt? Here are five destinations where late booking can really pay off.

1. Bali, Indonesia

The classic Aussie go-to for good reason. Resorts in Bali run close to full all year, but when there’s a sudden gap in bookings – say during the wet season – prices can tumble. Luxury beachfront villas that usually cost $400 a night can drop below half-price in a package deal. 

In fact, they can drop much further than that. I recently spent a week in Bali (Ubud and Amed) and paid $50 a night for a room overlooking Amed Beach that can cost up to $300. My package included an amazing breakfast, airport transfers and spa credits and it made my last-minute holiday such an easy thing to book and enjoy.

If you’re also booking outside the usual Bali season, don’t fixate on the weather: as I discovered, when it rains, Bali is still warm, green and blissfully less crowded.

2. Fiji

If you’re craving a spontaneous island break without a long-haul flight, Fiji’s your winner. Family-friendly resorts on Denarau or the Coral Coast often discount heavily a few weeks out to fill unbooked rooms, especially outside of Australian school holiday times. 

Packages here shine because Fiji is all about water activities like snorkelling, fishing and boating, so look for a deal that includes as many of them as you need. Also look for meal plan deals that make the value stack up. Last-minute travel also means you’re more likely to score free upgrades to beachfront rooms.

3. Japan

You wouldn’t think Japan is a “last-minute” type of place, but surprisingly, it can be. Airlines and hotels in Tokyo often release unsold inventory to package operators to fill empty spots before major events or festivals. Bundled deals with accommodation and transfers near major train lines, plus flights, can be hundreds cheaper than booking separately.

More inspo: Beyond Tokyo: cruise your way through these Japanese subtropical islands

The yen has stayed weaker recently, so it’s an especially good time for a package deal trip.

4. Athens and the Greek Islands

Europe’s shoulder seasons – April to June and September to October – are prime time for last-minute steals in Greece. Flights to Athens paired with a few nights in Santorini, Mykonos or Crete often drop dramatically in price as tour operators look to fill seats. A package means you won’t have to juggle ferries or multiple bookings yourself.

Read this too: The creative Greek island paradise of Hydra

Look for deals that include breakfast and dinner (known as ‘half board’) as well as transfers between islands.

5. Queenstown, New Zealand

For something closer to home, Queenstown’s last-minute packages are the definition of high reward, low hassle. Ski resorts, luxury lodges and adventure tour operators often slash rates outside peak season to fill gaps. Whether you’re heading over for a ski trip or summer hike, a bundled deal can save you big on flights, hotels, meals and car hire. 

You can often book a week away for less than the price of a long weekend interstate.

So next time you find yourself thinking “I’d love to go on a trip to…”, don’t fight it. Open a few tabs, compare a couple of package deals and there’s every chance you’ll soon be clicking “book” on the one that’s a total bargain. Sometimes you plan epic adventure trips for months… and sometimes you just want to get away from it all as fast as possible.

^{Feature image: iStock/Halfpoint}

Tell us in the comments below: Which of these 5 destinations would you most like to go to?

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