Want to Take a Spontaneous Trip Abroad? Try a Last-Minute Travel Deal

A growing number of office workers are adding one or two vacation days to a weekend to take a four-day, three-night trip abroad. They search for a city where they can rest their weary bodies and unleash their inner wanderlust, but the reality is that steep airfare can easily leave them discouraged. If the plan is to leave this very weekend, the situation remains the same even if they switch to a closer destination. Yet if it is an opportunity unlikely to come again, giving up is not easy either.

Here are some ways to minimize costs when planning a spontaneous trip.

As featured in Forbes, it can be advantageous to use airfare comparison sites to book so-called last-minute flight deals and last-minute international travel packages. Finding an overnight flight that departs early and arrives late can help travelers book airfare at a much lower price. Those who can adjust their travel schedule around available flights will have a far wider range of options. Using a nearby airport when possible can help travelers find inexpensive flights with fewer stopovers. They should also compare airfare on more than one international travel agency website.

Book as early as possible to avoid close-in booking fees. Some airlines occasionally charge fees even when travelers book flights with miles. It is therefore better to pay cash when possible. If the ticket price is particularly low, save the points for future use instead of spending them. Some airlines release award seats a few days before departure, so travelers may also want to consider using points then to upgrade their seats.

Traveling on weekdays is best whenever possible. Fewer business travelers are on the move during the week. As a result, weekday flights are more likely to have empty seats, increasing the likelihood that airlines will offer discounted fares.

[FamTimes=Reporter Kim Jae-young]