PLANNING YOUR SUMMER VACATION: SHOULD YOU CHOOSE FIRST OR LAST MINUTE DEALS?

As early as February, travel agencies start offering so-called first-minute deals for summer vacations, where savings can be made thanks to discounts for early payments and bookings.

While some opt to immediately reserve this arrangement, there are those who believe it's better to plan their trip at the last minute and opt for one of the last-minute deals.

Typically, first-minute offers are announced much earlier in relation to the travel dates, often with discounts of up to 30 percent off the regular price of the package, in the case of immediate full payment or reservation.

Usually, this works by requiring a partial payment by a certain deadline to qualify for the discount, with the remaining amount payable closer to the travel date, and some agencies even offer installment payment options.

However, besides the discounts, first-minute deals are often chosen because they offer a wider selection. The closer you are to your desired travel date, the greater the chance that only one room or even none will be left.

During this period, all apartments are still available, allowing you to choose the location, accommodation type, view, payment method, and more. This is advantageous as you can plan your vacation exactly as you want it at a likely lower cost than if you had started thinking about it later, as reported by Nezavisne.

On the other hand, some people dislike or are unable to plan their vacation months in advance, preferring to wait until the last moment to decide where to go for a holiday.

The last minute, as its name suggests, is the final moment to book a package for a specific destination, with these offers being limited to a certain time frame, number of people or rooms, accommodation, number of seats on the plane or bus, and so on.

Considering everything, there aren't many options to choose from with last-minute deals, nor is there time for second thoughts. Typically, such deals are announced a few days before the trip, with discounts potentially being up to 50 percent off the actual price of the package. It's implied that you pay immediately and are ready to depart.

In relation to this, with the first-minute option, you should plan much earlier but can choose and pay less, while with the last minute, you'll probably pay even less, but you pay immediately, leave in a day or two, and get the remaining accommodation.

All in all, both options have their advantages and disadvantages, offering ways to save on the package, but it depends on the individual. After reading the text, assess and decide for yourself when is the best time to book accommodation for your summer vacation.