When should i book? closer to the date or now? Long haul..
When should i book? closer to the date or now? Long haul..
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Discussion

Talk2Dave

Original Poster:

104 posts

209 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Hi chaps, i'm off to Perth, Autralia for christmas.
It will be my first time booking and flying by myself so a little bit nervous.
When is the best time to book it? Am i likely to find cheaper flights towards the date? or are they going to sky-rocket?
I'm looking at leaving the 14th december.
Thanks, David.

trickywoo

14,250 posts

261 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
6 to 8 weeks before is normally the sweet spot.

anonymous-user

85 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Flying to Oz in December is v.expensive. Whenever we've looked it was around £1300 return, as opposed to the £850 we paid to go this November.

From what i've noticed the prices change day to day let alone week to week, if you see a deal book it, don't wait not even for a couple of hours as the cheap (super saver type) tickets go very quickly. They can reappear again a couple of days or weeks later though. Also check out Expedia\LastMinute.com as well, they can be cheaper than the Airlines direct. The deal we got this time was an Expedia special and was £100 less then booking with Singapore Airlines direct.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 5th July 11:55

blueg33

46,802 posts

255 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Not related to your question in terms of when to book or cost, but its a horrible long flight, book a stopover for at least 24 or preferably 48 hours. Singapore, Hongkong, Dubai, Bangkok (if you can) makes the whole experience more pleasant IMO, especially if you are tall and too poor to fly business

audidoody

8,598 posts

287 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Book NOW. You should only need to put down a deposit and pay the rest in October.

Availability nearer the time is very hit and miss for the dates you need. Many people actually book in January to go at Christmas.

December 14 sounds like the day the prices change from shoulder to peak. It could make a lo;t of difference if you go a day or two earlier.

Edited by audidoody on Thursday 5th July 12:10

Talk2Dave

Original Poster:

104 posts

209 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Thanks chaps, looks like i'll be booking as soon as funds allow, any idea how much a deposit would be if the flights are around £1100?

I won't be looking at long stop overs, i've flew to far east asia enough times, so i sure a couple extra hours won't be too bad.

carreauchompeur

18,331 posts

235 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
Singapore/Honkers would also make a good stopover, holiday within a holiday. I've just started my annual ritual of booking annual leave then agonising/poring over Expedia for months looking for the best flights smile

Talk2Dave

Original Poster:

104 posts

209 months

Thursday 5th July 2012
quotequote all
carreauchompeur said:
Singapore/Honkers would also make a good stopover, holiday within a holiday. I've just started my annual ritual of booking annual leave then agonising/poring over Expedia for months looking for the best flights smile
I've been to Hong Kong before and enjoyed it, had a lovely time there. However i'm seeing my girlfriend in Perth and want to spend as much time with her, so won't be having a mini holiday this time.
The rents have booked their holiday during the olympics to get away from it all, what i should have done really.