HotelPlanner power reservations across more than one million hotel properties and alternative accommodations globally. In light of travel chaos caused by ongoing transport strikes, planned border strikes during half term and the reintroduced 80:20 slot usage rule for airlines, HotelPlanner Co-Founder and CEO Tim Hentschel states: “Ongoing strike action in the UK continues to disrupt travel plans for inbound and outbound travellers, resulting in cancellations and major delays. With 1,000 members of Public and Commercial Services union set to strike from Friday Feb 17 to Monday Feb 20, those returning from half term trips via Dover are also now facing the prospect of severe delays.

Further delays and flight cancellations are also a risk after the government reintroduced its 80:20 slot usage rule for airlines which states that carriers need to use their allocated take-off slots at airports, at least 80 per cent of the time in order to retain them. If they don’t meet the quota, their spaces at those airports can be given to other airlines.

The fear of disruption, crowds, chaos, and confusion is causing many to consider delaying their travels or cancelling all together in favour of booking last minute accommodation and staycations in the UK. The positive is that there are plenty of opportunities to book affordable last-minute staycations. There are still great hotel deals across the country on the HotelPlanner platform, such as the 4-star The George in Rye in East Sussex.

If you’ve never stayed in pub lodging, now is the perfect time for a new adventure. Consider The George Inn Barford, a quiet cranny outside Banbury on the edge of the Cotswolds.

There are always deals to be found in coastal cities and beach towns in off-season. Check out this gem in Queens Hotel, Brighton with steps from Brighton Beach and SEA LIFE Brighton.

For those left stranded by last minute cancellations or major delays, Tim has the following advice to share: “Upon finding themselves stranded at an airport or train station, many might be looking towards finding last minute accommodation to avoid being left without a place to stay at short notice. The natural action may be to call the nearest hotels, but booking online is actually better than over the phone in these situations. Phone lines will get jammed up in the surge, so you can skip the line by booking online to beat the rush. This is when seconds might count and demand for rooms are at a peak, so there really is no time to be sitting on hold. Booking online is a much more efficient way to find rooms at short notice, and booking engines find a way to pick out the best rates.”