How early do you need to book your trip?!
August 8th 2008 11:49
Category: No Category
I like it when people book early. It's easier for me as a travel agent to find them the best flights with the cheapest seats, and it's hassel free, no one needs to rush and if there is anything that need to be fixed before the passangers travel, they can be fixed without stress.
However, this is getting ridiculous. Cheap seats airlines are advertising are already getting booked out even for January and February - and it's only August! People are learning to book early in advance and some, almost a year in advance! Many people I know don't even plan that much a head of them. Also, to avoid price rises airline tickets need to be paid in full which means if you book a year in advance, and something happens in between the time of booking and your trip, you lose almost half the amount of money in cancellation fees.....
One thing though - this definitely is a must - booking in advance that is - for EVERYTHING during school holidays. Flights, accommodation, any tours and packages, need to be finalised to avoid having to pay half of your mortage to take your family on holidays. A client of mine *almost* couldn't go on their holiday because there just isn't a hotel available to accommodate them! Thankfully we did end up finding something, even if it's not 4 star like they wanted, it had to do otherwise they wouldn't have had a holiday to go on.
There are however, always exception to the rules. Right now, being off peak season, I have been able to book some clients on international flights that's leaving next week. Understandably, an average family can't do that due to school/work commitments.
How long in advance do you book your trip? I know I start planning for mine 3-5 years in advance but I dont actually book it until about 6 months in advance.... but it seems I myself, need to learn to book a lot earlier as well!
However, this is getting ridiculous. Cheap seats airlines are advertising are already getting booked out even for January and February - and it's only August! People are learning to book early in advance and some, almost a year in advance! Many people I know don't even plan that much a head of them. Also, to avoid price rises airline tickets need to be paid in full which means if you book a year in advance, and something happens in between the time of booking and your trip, you lose almost half the amount of money in cancellation fees.....
One thing though - this definitely is a must - booking in advance that is - for EVERYTHING during school holidays. Flights, accommodation, any tours and packages, need to be finalised to avoid having to pay half of your mortage to take your family on holidays. A client of mine *almost* couldn't go on their holiday because there just isn't a hotel available to accommodate them! Thankfully we did end up finding something, even if it's not 4 star like they wanted, it had to do otherwise they wouldn't have had a holiday to go on.
There are however, always exception to the rules. Right now, being off peak season, I have been able to book some clients on international flights that's leaving next week. Understandably, an average family can't do that due to school/work commitments.
How long in advance do you book your trip? I know I start planning for mine 3-5 years in advance but I dont actually book it until about 6 months in advance.... but it seems I myself, need to learn to book a lot earlier as well!
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