As traveler booking patterns continue to evolve, advisors are increasingly being asked to plan luxury trips on a tighter deadline — sometimes just weeks or days before departure. To meet the demand, B2B partners such as Classic Vacations are shifting their offerings to help advisors deliver seamless, high-quality trips under pressure.
“We’re absolutely seeing luxury clients experiment with shorter planning windows,” said Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations. “Domestic trips are being booked as little as 10 days in advance, and international bookings are often finalized just 30 days out.”
According to the company, nearly 40% of its active trip requests — including those where traveler details have already been submitted to hold space — are for travel through September. The demand is there, but many travelers are waiting longer to officially commit, making fast and flexible supplier support even more critical.
Tools for Tight Deadlines
Advisors working in tight windows are asking for speed, simplicity and hands-on support. Classic is positioning itself to meet those needs.
“Advisors are leaning on us more than ever for access and support,” Krueger said. “They need real-time availability; competitive rates; and flexible, luxury options that don’t feel like a compromise.”
Classic’s booking platform allows advisors to build complete itineraries all in one place — from flights and hotel stays to transfers and curated tours. The company also provides 24/7 support across multiple channels, and its VIP Connect program allows advisors to add high-quality extras to last-minute trips.
Working closely with a dedicated Classic Vacations reservation agent, one advisor recently booked a 10-day luxury trip to Italy just a few weeks ahead of travel. The itinerary included stays at top-tier properties such as Baglioni Hotel Regina in Rome, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento and Splendid Venice, along with private transfers and guides in each city.
“What made it possible was the combination of real-time access to product, strong supplier relationships and support from a trusted reservation expert who knew exactly how to bring it all together — quickly and flawlessly,” Krueger said.
Diverging Booking Patterns
While last-minute bookings are surging, Classic has also seen an increase in clients looking to plan trips far in advance — into 2026 and beyond. Both extremes, Krueger says, reflect a shift in confidence and a preference for flexibility.
“For some, locking in a future trip provides something to look forward to,” Krueger said. “For others, the freedom to book last-minute — paired with flexible cancellation policies — makes travel feel easier and lower-risk.”
Her advice to travel advisors: Embrace technology that enables speed and personalization.
“The best advisors know how to work fast without losing their personal touch,” Krueger said. “Platforms like ours are designed to help you quote and book quickly, while still delivering the high-end service your clients expect.”
