There’s only one thing better than the thrill of booking a spontaneous trip: booking it on the cheap. And now is the best time to get a deal on a last-minute getaway.
4 smart booking strategies for a spontaneous trip
Get amazing deals at high-end spots like Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on Hawaii's Big Island.

Get amazing deals at high-end spots like Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows on Hawaii’s Big Island.

There’s only one thing better than the thrill of booking a spontaneous trip: booking it on the cheap. And now is the best time to get a deal on a last-minute getaway. Late fall is slow season for many marquee destinations around the West, and they’re willing to cut a deal. Here are 10 of our favorite spots to take advantage.

And these strategies for last-minute booking will help you at just about any destination:1. Skip the planning.Hotels are more willing to wheel and deal for tomorrow than they are for a month from now.

2. Just show up.A bird in the hand is a powerful motivator. If you’re not going far, we suggest winging it and finding your crash pad once you get there. But leave your suitcase in the trunk; you don’t want to look too committed.

3. Check Twitter.Hotels sometimes offload rooms at the last minute this way, or in emails from discount websites like Jetsetter. And HotelTonight, an app available on iOS and Android, has built an entire business around super-last-minute hotel deals.

4. Call in sick.Or burn up a few of those unused vacation days you’ve been hoarding. Hotels not geared for business travel are often desperate midweek.

Keep Reading: