Last-minute-travel experts weigh in with advice on getting the best deals:

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LAST-MINUTE TRAVEL Last-minute travel: Flexibility is the key  Know where to click when vacation bug bites  Experts say: Register for e-mail alerts, try alternative destinations  She who hesitates is out an additional $400  Food fests, fun with marine life just a short hop away  Hit the road for music, mirth, mischief

From Hotwire.com

• Be flexible. Sometimes departing a day earlier or later can make a big difference in airfare price. Travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays for the best deals of all. If it's a weekend getaway, save some cash by leaving on a Thursday and returning on a Sunday. (In general, try to avoid holidays.)

• Jump on it. When you see the right deal, book it quickly. Airline ticket prices can change within minutes. Coordinate scheduling and make other pre-travel arrangements before you search, so that you can book your fare as soon as you see it.

• Broaden your horizons. Once you choose your city, be sure to search multiple neighborhoods to find the best deal. You may be surprised by the great last-minute deals you turn up.

• Go off the beaten path. You may find more bargains.

Kari Swartz, leisure travel specialist with Expedia.com

• You may find an incredible deal at the last minute, but there are risks. When you see a good price, lock it in.

• Set a budget. That way you'll avoid credit-card remorse.

• Entertain a destination that may not have made your short list.

• Be creative. Travel in low season. Go to Las Vegas or the Caribbean in the summer for smaller crowds and better rates. Or go to Orlando when school is in session.

• Booking a vacation package is the best way to travel.

From Consumer Reports Travel Letter

• A travel agent is the best resource for finding last-minute package deals, as they're kept abreast of many of the last-breaking discounts.

• Check out tour operators' Web sites as well as third-party sites such as Site59, LastMinuteTravel.com and 11thhourvacations.com for last-minute discount offerings.

• Don't wait until the last minute to look for a cruise deal. The key to capturing bargains is booking about a month in advance.

• Seek out cruise consolidators, who make comparison shopping easier, and occasionally offer rates even lower than what you'd find on the cruise lines' site.

• Register online with several major airlines to be e-mailed bargain "e-fares" each week. Also log on to the major travel booking sites; just make sure to comparison shop by going to the airlines' own sites.

• For a hotel deal, visit the hotel chains' Web sites to look for getaway promotions or weekend specials.

• Call the individual hotel and ask if any specials, upgrades or lower rates are available.

Bob Albert, general manager of Site59

• Know what the price includes. A great last-minute deal doesn't mean you have to take a leap of faith by paying before you know the details — such as an unknown hotel or a less-than-desirable flight itinerary. Unlike Site59, some sites give only a booking window (morning, afternoon, night) while others don't display the airline information until after you submit a credit card.

• Know your options. You never know when you might want to get away, so it's always best to be informed. Sign up for e-mail notices.