by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:20 AM ET, Thu February 26, 2026
As spring break approaches, Canadian travellers hoping to score a last-minute deal may be out of luck, and travel advisors say the data backs that up.
According to a recent Global News Consumer Matters report, both travel and personal finance experts say the long-standing belief that prices drop at the eleventh hour simply doesn’t reflect today’s pricing reality.
“Airlines typically put flights in their system months out, around eleven and a half months out. You couldn’t book 12 months early, but people who take advantage of those time periods get the best rate,” travel expert Claire Newell told Global News.
For advisors, that timeline reinforces what many already tell clients: early booking still wins, particularly for peak periods like spring break and summer.
Barry Choi, personal finance and travel expert, also told Global News that true last-minute deals are rare in today’s environment.
“It’s a huge misconception that you can get this last-minute deal, whether it be spring break or summer holiday,” Choi said. “The reality is all the airlines and hotels, cruise operators, they have so much data exactly when they’re going to sell out. If you’re trying to book that last-minute ticket, the odds are it’s going to be more expensive.”
Dynamic pricing now moves by the hour
According to experts, dynamic pricing, driven increasingly by artificial intelligence, allows airlines and hotels to adjust fares based on supply, demand and predictive modelling.
Companies can forecast when routes will sell out and launch promotions well in advance rather than waiting for distressed inventory.
For advisors, that shift underscores the value of monitoring fare trends, setting alerts and managing client expectations around price fluctuations.
Flexibility remains key
While booking early remains the strongest strategy, flexibility can still open doors.
For example, midweek departures, Tuesday through Thursday, typically price lower than peak Friday to Monday travel.
The report also highlighted the continued value of travel advisors, particularly for cruise bookings.
“Large agencies will take out group space at deployment. It’s years before sailings actually occur and those rates can’t be beat,” said Newell.
“It might seem old school because we have so many tools like AI and the web, but the reality is they (travel agents) still can often get a better deal that you won’t be able to get yourself.”
For advisors, group allocations secured at deployment continue to be a competitive advantage, especially as cruise lines rely heavily on yield management.
Loyalty strategy matters more than ever
Newell suggested that 2026 may be the year for travellers to redeem accumulated points, particularly for long-haul travel.
“The best bang for your buck if you are looking – go for a long-haul flight, don’t use them on a short-haul flight,” she said.
Advisor takeaway:
With AI-driven pricing now adjusting fares in real time, the traditional “wait it out” strategy carries more risk than reward. For advisors, the story reinforces three clear value points: early booking strategy, access to group space (particularly in cruise), and expert fare monitoring in a dynamic pricing environment.
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