Booking patterns in luxury travel are increasingly defying expectations. Some clients in 2025 are looking to plan luxury trips years ahead while others are asking advisors to pull together itineraries in a matter of days.
For many advisors, it’s not a new challenge, but it is one that demands flexibility, reliable workflows and solid industry relationships.
“We do this all the time,” said Eli Wagner, founder of Wagner Bespoke Travel. “Just because it’s last minute doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. It just means we move fast and cut through the noise.”
Wagner recalls a recent booking where a longtime client texted from the car, needing a weekend getaway.
“By the time she got home and packed a bag, we had flights, transfers, hotel and dinner reservations confirmed,” Wagner said. “She even arrived to a handwritten welcome from the general manager.”
A Rise in Short-Window Bookings
Wagner and other advisors say they have seen a clear rise in spontaneous luxury travel. The trend, they say, is driven by clients who are tired, overbooked or simply looking to take advantage of the fleeting moments when their calendar finally opens.
“Life is unpredictable,” Wagner said. “People are more aware than ever that time is the one thing you can’t get back. They’re craving connection, beauty and joy, and when a rare pocket of time opens up, they want to say yes without overthinking it. That’s where we come in.”
Megan Vatnsdal, luxury travel advisor and founder of Onyx & Evergreen Travel, has booked high-value trips to destinations such as Greece, France, Slovenia and Italy on less than two months’ notice. For Vatnsdal, short booking windows are becoming a common part of her business.
They’re craving connection, beauty and joy, and when a rare pocket of time opens up, they want to say yes without overthinking it.
But it takes a strong network and an adaptable mindset.
“It wouldn’t be possible without the trusted destination management company partners we work with,” Vatnsdal said. “These are people I already know and trust, which gives me confidence in their ability to deliver on a tight timeline.”
Despite the rush, advisors agree: Luxury service standards should not slip just because the trip is pulled together quickly.
“Don’t skip the VIP details just because it’s fast,” Wagner said. “A short-lead trip still deserves Champagne on arrival and the suite upgrade when available.”
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That said, some sacrifices are inevitable. Advisors may stick to suppliers who move quickly, and destinations where they have deep connections, such as Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. Long weekends, couples’ escapes, milestone celebrations and family trips are among the most popular types of last-minute trips.
“There’s usually a rush fee in place,” Vatnsdal said. “And I might turn off certain automations or batch similar tasks to stay efficient. But the level of service is the same.”
Managing Client Expectations
In most cases, these last-minute trips are more expensive. Flights and premium hotel rooms often spike in price or become scarce with little notice. But advisors say their clients generally understand.
“The clients who book last-minute trips usually aren’t focused on chasing deals,” Wagner said. “They’re prioritizing the experience, not the price tag.”
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Vatnsdal agrees, noting that flexibility is critical.
“As long as clients come in with an open mind and are decisive, I haven’t had trouble finding what they want — even on short notice.”
That decisiveness can be a major benefit of working with spontaneous travelers.
It often creates a healthy sense of urgency for the client.
“It often creates a healthy sense of urgency for the client,” Vatnsdal said. “Decisions happen faster.”
But not every trip can be booked on short notice. Vatnsdal once declined a last-minute Italy request after a client was not willing to pay her planning fee, only for the client to circle back, overwhelmed by the process.
“She now understands the value of my services,” Vatnsdal said. “And plans to reach out with more lead time next time.”
Booking Far Out
On the other hand, advisors are also increasingly seeing clients looking for trips planned years in advance. Vatnsdal is currently helping clients plan itineraries for May and June of 2026, as well as a safari request for 2028.
While these long-lead trips often allow for bigger visions and better access, they also present some hurdles. Pricing is subject to change, some suppliers may not be ready to confirm and managing clients’ expectations can be difficult.
“Planning that far ahead can be ideal in theory,” Vatnsdal said. “But it requires building in buffers and clear communication.”
Advisors say the wide swing between short- and long-lead bookings reflects a larger trend: that traveler behavior is no longer predictable.
What is essential, Vatnsdal says, is having reliable systems and trusted partnerships.
“You can’t scale chaos,” Vatnsdal said. “Before you take on more last-minute or high-volume clients, make sure your workflows are organized and repeatable.”
To Wagner, it is just as important to have a clear line of communication with clients about what is possible.
“Only promise what you can actually deliver,” she said. “Be honest with your client about what’s realistic — and then make it better than they imagined.”
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