Latest news with #travelhacks
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
6 Booking Tricks Travel Experts Use When Everything Is Sold Out For Summer
I found myself refreshing TripAdvisor's Yellowstone forum for the third time that day. It was late April, and I was scrambling to book accommodation inside Yellowstone National Park for the July Fourth weekend, peak season. Lodging typically sells out 10 to 12 months in advance. I was nine months too late. Having visited 109 countries, I turned to one of my go-to strategies: checking forums. Then I saw it. Someone posted they had to cancel their reservation for our exact dates. I immediately opened the hotel's booking page in a new tab. The room was there, released back into inventory just minutes earlier. By the time I finished booking, we had locked in what most travelers consider impossible to get. This forum-monitoring approach is just one way to find accommodation that exists if you are willing to think outside the box. Inventory constantly shifts as people change plans. The key is knowing where to look when mainstream booking sites come up empty. Whether you're finalizing August travel or planning for next summer, these tricks can uncover options that others miss. Travel forums, destination-specific Facebook groups and Reddit communities become networks where travelers announce cancellations in real time. Tapping into these traveler communities takes patience and timing, but it often uncovers availability you won't find on standard booking sites. I joined Yellowstone-specific groups and patiently monitored cancellations. When someone announces a cancellation, you typically have minutes, not hours, to act. Most travelers overlook these community spaces, making this strategy especially effective for securing coveted accommodations. Hotel availability can vary significantly between booking sites. Different online travel agents (OTAs) have access to different room inventories, which means a hotel listed as fully booked on one site might still have rooms available elsewhere. I've seen this repeatedly when booking sold-out accommodations. The same property might be unavailable on but have rooms on Expedia or Beyond checking multiple sites manually, you can also automate this process. Tools like Open Hotel Alert or the Hotel Room Alerts app check inventory more than 100 times per day and notify you as soon as a room becomes available at sold-out hotels. By systematically checking multiple platforms and setting up automated alerts, you increase your chances of spotting hidden availability. It's a simple but often overlooked approach that can reveal options missed by many travelers. Sometimes the problem isn't availability. Hotels often require minimum stays during peak periods, and your two-night weekend might not meet their requirements. Stephen Lee, senior European travel specialist at Unforgettable Travel Company, points out, 'Hotels often have minimum night stay requirements, anywhere from two days up to seven days depending on the time of travel and the hotel.' 'Allow a day or two of flexibility. If you planned for two nights, consider three. An extra night might transform an impossible booking into a confirmed reservation,' he added. This works because hotels prefer longer stays during busy periods, and a small adjustment in your plans can open up availability. When your first-choice destination is completely booked, Brandon Dale, COO of GoForth Luxury Vacation Homes, suggests pivoting rather than giving up. 'When Mallorca and Marbella are booked solid, we turn to rising luxury Spanish destinations that offer similar charm, culture and coastline; places like Menorca, Costa Brava or the Costa de la Luz,' he explained. 'These spots often have more availability, fewer crowds and an equally elevated experience. If your dates are fixed, flexibility on the destination can open surprising doors. We often see families discover their new favorite place when their first choice is full.' I experienced this firsthand during my honeymoon planning. The most popular Costa Rica destinations were either very expensive or booked, so we shifted to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean side of the country. We found nicer accommodation right on the beach, fewer crowds, cheaper prices, and a far better experience. The key is finding destinations that offer experiences similar to your original choice, but without the heavy tourist crowds. When Georgia Fowkes, travel advisor at Altezza Travel, couldn't find accommodation near Venice, Florence or Pisa in mid-July, she tried something most travelers wouldn't think to do. 'I joined all the local student Facebook groups about a week before my arrival, and asked if any students were gone for the summer,' Fowkes explained. 'I crafted a personalized post on each group and added a photo of myself, asking for accommodation. Within a few hours, several students reached out offering their rooms, studios, or apartments.' Not only did this unlock central accommodation, but the financial benefit was significant. 'Because this happens on a person-to-person basis, the price is often much cheaper. It's a win-win where I get a room in the city center and the student gets help covering their rent.' For safety, she conducted quick video calls with top candidates and secured backup options. If booking sites show no availability, call the property directly. Hotels often hold back some rooms for corporate events or have last-minute cancellations that don't immediately update online. Christi Davis, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Loews Hotels & Co., stresses the value of this approach. 'My top recommendation is to call the hotel directly and ask about their suite inventory. Many travelers don't realize that hotels and resorts often keep select suites offline, and speaking with someone directly can give you access to options that aren't visible when browsing the website.' When calling, ask about waitlists, cancellation policies, and potential upcoming availability. Many properties maintain informal waitlists and will contact you directly when rooms become available. These strategies take more effort than standard booking methods but consistently uncover options that seem impossible to secure. The key is treating 'sold out' not as a dead end, but as the start of a more creative search. It took some time and effort, but now I'll be enjoying the July Fourth weekend in that impossible-to-book lodge inside Yellowstone National Park. If You Wanna Travel Like A Pro, Flight Attendants Adore These 25 Things Traveling Abroad? These Are The Items To Buy Now — Because They'll Cost Less There Is 'Travel Math' Derailing Your Finances And Vacation Plans?
Khaleej Times
16 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Leaving home 30 mins before flight? Some travellers try viral airport theory
Dubai resident Mansoor Ali has been to 60 countries and there is one thing he absolutely dislikes about travelling — getting to the airport three hours prior to check-in. The 50-year-old has often arrived at the check-in gate of airports across the world, sometimes with just 30 minutes to spare before the flight's departure and still made it to the plane on time. He claims to be one of the early adopters of a new viral trend on social media called airport theory. The theory, which has been trending worldwide, argues that travellers can get through airport security to their boarding gate in just 15 minutes and that there is no need to arrive at the airport three hours ahead, as usually recommended. There are thousands of videos on several social media platforms of travellers testing out the theory at various airports. 'I have had security officers jog with me to the door of the plane so that I could catch my flight,' said Mansoor. 'I just think it is unnecessary to arrive hours early to the airport. I usually check in online and carry only my hand luggage. Sometimes, I travel alone, but mostly it is with my wife and three children. Despite arriving so late, I have only missed two flights in the last 10 years of my travel." "Nowadays, I arrive a little early just so that I can enjoy some time in the lounge. Otherwise, I still believe you need minimal time to get through the airport. However, it also depends upon how much rush there in the airport, especially in holiday season.' On Tuesday, Dubai Airport (DXB) issued a cheeky video about the trend asking why risk a missed flight when they can enjoy a matcha at the gate instead. Last week, Emirates Airlines had issued an advisory asking people to arrive three hours early during peak travel times to factor in traffic and huge crowds. Over the last few weeks, the region has seen multiple delayed and cancelled flights due to multiple reasons and travel agents have advised flyers to check their flight statuses and arrive early to avoid nasty surprises. Risky behaviour However, some Gen-Z travellers refused to buy into the trend. Emirati Hind Hassan says she likes to arrive at the airport much ahead of schedule, sometimes even four hours prior to departure. 'I have always arrived at the airport extra early in case of unforeseen incidents that may cause delays,' she said. 'Arriving early calms me down and I love sitting in the airport waiting lounge, watching people pass by and airplanes take off and land. Why would anyone want to arrive 20 minutes before boarding just to rush and stress for no reason?' The 22-year-old said the trend was 'a risky practice' and she could not understand why people would do it. 'It encourages people to arrive a mere few minutes before boarding. No one can predict what can happen during those moments prior to arriving at the airport, and any delay can cost you a missed flight, and a lot of money.' Trying it out Dubai-based Tiktoker Suwaj Giri said he inadvertently tested the theory when he was returning from his home country of Nepal to the UAE earlier this year. 'I was early, but at the check-in counter I was informed that the boarding was about to close,' he recalled. 'I ran through the airport and got the gate in less than 15 minutes.' He said he wants to try it out when he travels again later this year, but everything depended on the airport. 'For example, if you are travelling out of Terminal 2, it will be a breeze to get to the gate in 15 minutes,' he said. 'But if you are flying from Terminal 3, you need 45 minutes to just navigate the airport. However, I am curious about the trend and will definitely be trying it out when I travel next.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Travelling with carry-on? How to pack light and avoid extra luggage fees
As summer travel gears up, the prospect of lengthy baggage queues at airports is a familiar dread for many holidaymakers. Yet, a growing number of seasoned travellers are bypassing this frustration by mastering the art of carry-on travel. Whether jetting off for a quick weekend getaway or determined to condense a long-haul journey into a single bag, packing light doesn't necessitate sacrificing style or essentials. Instead, it demands a more strategic approach. Travel experts, having honed their methods over countless journeys, are now offering invaluable insights into maximising space and efficiency within the confines of a single carry-on. Here are their tips. 1. Pick a suitcase with exterior pockets Picking the right bag makes all the difference. 'Choose a carry-on case with exterior pockets for items you will need in transit,' recommends Fiona Spinks, solo adventurer and founder of Following Fiona. 'A book, snacks or the clear liquid bag can live outside the main compartment so you are not opening the whole case in a crowded queue.' 2. Make a master list 'Start with a master list and tailor it for each trip – beach, city, festival, whatever,' suggests Chelsea Dickenson, the founder of Holiday Expert, who has partnered with Boots to create packing tips to help Britons get organised this summer. 'I keep mine in my phone notes and update it before every holiday. You only need one extra outfit – not five emergency dresses and 10 pairs of spare knickers.' 3. Invest in some packing cubes Packing cubes free up valuable space. 'One cube holds tops, another holds bottoms and a third keeps underwear separate,' says LP Maurice, travel expert, backpacker and CEO and co-founder of travel website Busbud. 'The cubes act like drawers when you open the bag. Press down on each cube before you zip it to push out any trapped air.' 4. Try the travel pillow trick This creative packing hack has gone viral on TikTok and is a great way to sneak some extra socks and pants onto a plane. 'Take the stuffing out of your travel pillow and fill it with clothes – socks, pants, even pyjamas,' recommends Ms Dickenson. 'No one at the airport will know, and you've just bought yourself extra space in your case and still get a comfy pillow. Just try and stick to the cleaner clothes for your return journey.' 5. Roll your clothes 'Rolling each item instead of folding sounds simple, yet it makes a surprising difference,' says Ms Spinks. 'Rolled clothes stack snugly along your case's length and come out with fewer creases, so you spend less time hunting for an iron at your hotel. 'This method also lets you spot gaps where you can tuck socks or underwear using every corner of the bag.' 6. Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes 'Footwear is always the bulkiest offender, so wear the heaviest pair for the journey so the lighter pair can slot along the side of the case,' recommends Ms Spinks. 'Filling the inside of each shoe with chargers or rolled underwear stops wasted space and keeps the shoes from collapsing.' Make every little bit of space count. 'Fill the shoes with rolled socks and chargers to stop dead space,' recommends Mr Maurice. Dickenson agrees and says that little things like lining the edges of your suitcase with belts and tucking your jewellery into sunglasses cases can make all the difference. 8. Wear the bulkiest items 'A jacket with deep pockets can carry your phone, headphones and a paperback book,' highlights Mr Maurice. 'That choice removes about 1 kg from your bag and could help you stay warm in an air‑conditioned cabin.' 9. Decant your toiletries into mini bottles 'Switch full-size toiletries for reusable mini bottles and solid versions wherever possible,' recommends Ms Spinks. 'Decanting shampoo and moisturiser into 80ml containers satisfies airline liquid rules and saves you from paying extra for checked baggage just to carry large bottles. 'Solid bars of soap or conditioner slip into any spare corner and never leak over your clothes.' 10. Buy a flat lay makeup bag 'If you're anything like me and tend to spread your makeup and toiletries everywhere, a flat lay bag makes life so much easier,' says Ms Dickenson. 'You just open it up and everything's laid out and visible. No more rooting around for your mascara or leaving half your makeup behind.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Susan Solves It: Airlines Cashing In
ABC Action News Reporter Susan El Khoury provides tips on potentially saving money on checked bag fees while traveling.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines Customers Creatively Avoid Bag Fees
Last month, Southwest Airlines officially began charging for checked baggage, ending its long-time trademarked "bags fly free" policy. The big change has led some passengers to make some major moves to avoid having to pay those new bag fees. The new Southwest Airlines bag fees will cost travelers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for a second, which is in line with most other domestic airlines, but quite a significant change from the airline previously offering two free checked bags for each customer. While some customers have resigned to the fact that they must now pay for their baggage, others have taken more drastic measures to avoid those charges. Though Southwest Airlines has started charging for checked baggage, Southwest does still allow passengers to bring one carry-on item free of charge, like most other domestic airlines. Passengers are now doing everything they can to take full advantage of that policy. A recent Reddit post on the Southwest Airlines subreddit offered a look at what some customers are doing to ensure they can fit all of their belongings inside a carry-on bag to avoid having to pay for a checked bag. The original poster shared some photos of vacuum-sealed bags that they used to make their clothes as small as possible and fit as much in a carry-on bag as they could. While some questioned how the passenger would re-pack the bag for a return trip, the original poster replied that they packed their travel pump for the vacuum-sealed bags, with someone else adding that those pumps are actually very compact these days. "USB powered pump. It's really compact, smaller than your average smart phone. I used this for a trip to the London, Scotland, and Ireland last year," a Reddit user commented. Other commenters suggested using packing cubes to make things as compact as possible without using vacuum sealing. Some packing cubes, Reddit users pointed out, even have additional zippers to make them even more compact once they are packed. So if you're among those lamenting Southwest's change in policy, you might consider packing your carry-on bag a bit more efficiently. Southwest Airlines Customers Creatively Avoid Bag Fees first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 28, 2025
