Heading away this Valentine’s Day? Here are the last-minute hacks from travel experts to help you cut costs
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, many couples may be planning a last-minute getaway. From city breaks to countryside retreats, demand for weekend trips traditionally spikes around Valentine’s Day, often driving up prices as a result.
According to data from Google Trends, online searches for “travel hacks” recently reached their highest peak in the past five years, coinciding with the rising demand for cheaper getaways. In comparison to data from 2020, online searches for “travel hacks” have risen by a staggering 849% in 2025.
To help you save money on your upcoming Valentine’s Day getaway, travel experts at Westgate Vacation Packages have revealed some of their top money-saving hacks, including “VacPacs”, a little-known but powerful way to make your dream trip more affordable.
The rise of VacPacs
VacPacs, also known as vacation packages, have become a popular way of saving money when booking vacations, with this being a little-known hack that is set to explode in popularity in 2026. These packages are offered to enable guests to experience their dream trip while also keeping costs down.
VacPacs differ from traditional retail vacation packages and aren’t available online. Due to their exclusivity, VacPacs come in at a rate that could save hundreds of dollars compared to traditional vacation packages or standard holiday bookings.
Booking a VacPac can help to cut down on additional booking fees while enabling you to enjoy exclusive add-ons, such as room upgrades and attraction tickets.
Use flight price trackers
One of the ways people can quickly cut down on flight costs is by utilizing flight price trackers. This is a trend that has rapidly picked up traction in recent months, with searches for “flight price trackers” rising by a whopping 800% over a three-month span.
Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner are all excellent ways to keep an eye on and compare flight prices. Using flight trackers regularly will notify you of any price drops, either through email or text, allowing you to take advantage of the best deals.
Certain flight price tracking apps, such as Hopper, use advanced algorithms to detect whether prices are likely to rise or fall in the coming weeks or months. These features can help you determine whether it’s best to book your trip now or in the next few weeks in order to save as much money as possible.
Avoid booking flights on the weekend
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are often considered the best days to book a flight, as costs tend to be significantly lower than on Fridays or weekends.
This is because there is often a higher demand for weekend flights, largely because it’s often not possible to travel midweek for some families due to work and school responsibilities.
If possible, choosing to travel midweek can be a fantastic way to save money, particularly during peak vacation seasons. Choosing to travel outside of peak hours, such as booking early-morning or late-night flights, is another useful way to cut down on costs.
Instead of traveling on Valentine’s Day weekend, when costs will likely be higher, choosing to travel mid-week is an easy way to save some money.
Pack light and avoid paying for additional luggage fees
Most airlines have limitations on how much luggage you can take on your trip for free. These are usually generous, but if you’re taking heavy cases, it’s recommended that you weigh them before leaving your house to avoid incurring extra charges.
Be sure to create a detailed packing list in advance, and only pack what you need and will realistically use. Pick clothing that is light and be sure to include some items that you can re-wear or mix and match with other pieces. Rolling your clothes instead of folding can also save space and may prevent wrinkles.
On TikTok, #PackingHacks has amassed over 34,600 uploads. Investing in packing cubes has become an incredibly popular packing trend in recent years. These easily allow for more luggage space and reduce the risk of overpacking your suitcase, thus resulting in excess charges.
A spokesperson for Westgate Vacation Packages commented on these money-saving hacks, as well as the benefits of VacPacs:
“Cost is often the most off-putting factor for many people when it comes to booking their dream vacation, which is why it’s so important to take advantage of cost-cutting travel hacks.
“Taking time to do your research about flight and accommodation prices is one of the easiest ways to cut down on travel costs. Many people often fall into the trap of booking their flights in a last-minute rush or booking through a third-party accommodation site. While these mishaps may seem trivial, they can end up adding hundreds of dollars to your vacation.
“Planning your vacation in advance gives you more time to research exclusive discounts, flight price drops, and VacPacs, which can help you enjoy a stress-free and enjoyable vacation without breaking the bank.
“VacPacs are all about giving travelers complete control over their vacation experience. Packages are fully customizable for guests, who can tailor their vacation with added nights, room upgrades, attraction tickets, and more to suit individual needs and budgets. VacPacs let you build the vacation you want with flexibility and memorable experiences at every destination, making it an essential deal to look out for when it comes to booking last-minute getaways.”
