Last Minute Summer Trips: A List of Fantastic Deals

One of the biggest questions I’ve been getting asked this week is on last-minute summer vacations (shame on you slackers!). I know a lot of people can’t plan trips in advance, whether it be because of school snow days, work vacation days, family obligations, etc., and many folks are just starting their vacation planning now.

Don’t fret, though. There’s a lot of fantastic deals to be had, and if you act quick, you can get on them, too. I’ve compiled a list of some of what I think are the best summer deals at the moment for you to check out. Don’t wait – get on these while you can. Also, don’t get worried if your city isn’t listed – find a way to get to the departure city and begin your trip from there. Consider using miles to do that, driving, or purchasing a cheap flight; it’s easier than you think.

Enjoy these deals while they last!

Toronto to Hawaii for $612 CAD

Sure, I know many of you don’t live in Toronto. That’s no problem. If you live in Detroit, it’s only a 4 hour drive away. If you’re in another city within 650 miles, consider using British Airways Avios points at 4,500 miles each way to get to Toronto, then flying out from there. This is on Delta, by the way.

San Fransisco to Aruba for $317

If you’re on the west coast, this is an easy hop to San Fransisco, beginning your flight from there. This is on both United and US Airways (AA) for those keeping track.

Philadelphia to Miami for $106

This is a really good deal. For those in New York or Washington DC, it’s only a short 2-3 hour drive to Philadelphia, and since this is on American, this is a non-stop flight, too. This is about as low as it gets for this route, and most of the time, you’ll only find this low of a price on a low-cost carrier. Here, you’ll fly on a mainline carrier, and for those with elite status, the upgrade odds are pretty good. There’s also an option to fly between Washington DC and Miami for around $150.

Philadelphia to Europe in Business Class for ~$1500

If you want to get across the pond in a lie-flat seat, this is a book-worthy deal. Normally, fares on this route price out at $3,000+, so you’re saving over 50%, and in most cases, more. You can connect onward to major cities such as Dublin, Amsterdam and Madrid (others too!), and you’ll either be flying American, US Airways, British Airways or Iberia on the over-the-water segment. Booking this deal requires an AARP membership (which you can get even if you are not 55), which saves you $400.

Baltimore to Monterrey, CA for around $300

Monterrey is a tough airport to fly into because of cost, so this is a screaming deal if you’d like to visit the coastal city. It’s good on both United and American, though I found more dates available on United between the two.

Dallas to Beijing and Hong Kong for under $800

The nice thing about Dallas is that it is in the middle of the country, so it’s “easily” accessible from both sides. From there, head to Beijing or Hong Kong for under $800. Sure, it’s not as good as the $400 Business Class deal a few months ago, but for a “normal” fare, this one is very cheap. If you’re an American flyer, try using a systemwide upgrade to sit in Business Class.

Washington DC/Chicago/Newark/San Fransisco to Johnanesburg for $815

This one is on Delta (and partners), but who doesn’t want to go to Africa? If you’re included, and have some good hotels lined up, this is a good way of getting there that won’t break the bank.

New York to London for $445

One of the most popular routes in the US is available for less than $500. From London, consider taking a low cost carrier to your final destination, if London isn’t it. This deal is on Norwegian, so you know.

As of this posting, the fares seem to still be alive, though if you find that a deal is dead, let me know and I’ll update the post.