Best time to book a holiday?
Discussion
Was going to book a holiday for me and the kids this summer. It would be our first holiday abroad together, but the threat of strikes, cancellations, etc. has persuaded us to jack it in and try again next year.
When is the best time to start looking? Do prices increase or decrease as you get closer to the holiday season? I'm not looking at anything out of the ordinary - a week in the Med or similar, moderate hotel or apartment.
When is the best time to start looking? Do prices increase or decrease as you get closer to the holiday season? I'm not looking at anything out of the ordinary - a week in the Med or similar, moderate hotel or apartment.
GreatGranny said:
I don't think it makes much difference.
Try looking at prices for, say first week in August this year and also August next year and compare.
Bored so do did this myself, pretty close in price, within £50pp (4 star AI in Majorca).
Thanks. Having thought about it a bit more I guess the prices will vary more depending on how the economy fares in the next six months. By Christmas a lot of people may be feeling the pinch and holidays might not be selling as well.Try looking at prices for, say first week in August this year and also August next year and compare.
Bored so do did this myself, pretty close in price, within £50pp (4 star AI in Majorca).
Book a package with an ABTA and ATOL member agent (as well as buy your own travel insurance) and you're covered for any cancellations.
I suspect operators will wait a while to see how this year's season goes before deciding on any changes to next year's prices. You'll always get some last minute deals but you'll have less choice on airport, flight times, destination and hotel.
Book now with deposit only and look again early next year? Most agents will transfer your deposit to a new holiday if you want to change.
I suspect operators will wait a while to see how this year's season goes before deciding on any changes to next year's prices. You'll always get some last minute deals but you'll have less choice on airport, flight times, destination and hotel.
Book now with deposit only and look again early next year? Most agents will transfer your deposit to a new holiday if you want to change.
xx99xx said:
Book a package with an ABTA and ATOL member agent (as well as buy your own travel insurance) and you're covered for any cancellations.
I suspect operators will wait a while to see how this year's season goes before deciding on any changes to next year's prices. You'll always get some last minute deals but you'll have less choice on airport, flight times, destination and hotel.
Book now with deposit only and look again early next year? Most agents will transfer your deposit to a new holiday if you want to change.
I think this is what I would do - providing the deposit is a relatively low amount - which I think they will be.I suspect operators will wait a while to see how this year's season goes before deciding on any changes to next year's prices. You'll always get some last minute deals but you'll have less choice on airport, flight times, destination and hotel.
Book now with deposit only and look again early next year? Most agents will transfer your deposit to a new holiday if you want to change.
That way you have locked into a price which if it does goes up is a benefit.
Not quite the same but in March 21 we booked a trip to South Africa for Sept 22. The TA we are using has said that if we had left it until March 22 (which we had thought of doing), then prices have increased significantly.
We booked in March for mid July this year but the holidays (Tenerife) were going almost by the minute when we were looking after having our original booking in the uk cancelled (the b
ds)
In the April booked for mid july 23… (a lot) more expensive due to destination and duration, so paying in instalments spread over the next year works better for us.
ds)In the April booked for mid july 23… (a lot) more expensive due to destination and duration, so paying in instalments spread over the next year works better for us.
Its very late to book something for this August. Try AirBnb.
I also wan to book as far in advance as can and we generally book at 10-12 months out. If memory serves, the airlines run at 11 months. This is for the main summer holiday.
Personally I would not trust my holiday to last minute deal. Of course they are out there, but you might not end up in a hotel that you want or the type of accommodation that you want.
We are off to Spain in late August and I checked if I could get into the same hotel with the same accommodation that I booked iat the end of October. Nothing available. Its the same with caravans at the top Haven parks. They were all booked up months ago. I expect this trend to continue as well, especially given how much holiday prices have increased. The Haven holidays are now incredibly expensive compared to what they once were.
I also wan to book as far in advance as can and we generally book at 10-12 months out. If memory serves, the airlines run at 11 months. This is for the main summer holiday.
Personally I would not trust my holiday to last minute deal. Of course they are out there, but you might not end up in a hotel that you want or the type of accommodation that you want.
We are off to Spain in late August and I checked if I could get into the same hotel with the same accommodation that I booked iat the end of October. Nothing available. Its the same with caravans at the top Haven parks. They were all booked up months ago. I expect this trend to continue as well, especially given how much holiday prices have increased. The Haven holidays are now incredibly expensive compared to what they once were.
GreatGranny said:
OP was originally looking this year but put off by all the cancellations and airport chaos so may hold off to next year.
Yes that is right. We haven't been on holiday since the kids were born, and i don't want to book something up and then get delays or cancelled. A refund is all very well, but doesn't get you a holiday
I used to manage a pricing team and still work in aviation. If you're looking for next summer, I think most of the current issues will have largely worked themselves out by then.
The biggest booking peak by a long way for most travel companies is always the January sale. This usually starts on a Thursday just before Christmas and runs until the end of January-ish. Often with different additional promotions over January to keep a bit of buzz in the media and people talking about it.
The next traditional sale period is after Easter and normally the last big push to fill the summer.
September is then usually the push for winter sun etc.
Black Friday has also become more of a focus than it used to be for a short sharp promotion.
There will always be more targeted promotions that sit outside the sale cycle and you may be lucky that they're where you'd like to go. If I was looking to book a family holiday with a minimum of hassle, I'd be keeping an eye out during those times, making sure I booked a package with ATOL protection and aiming to book something in January sale unless a great deal came up beforehand.
The biggest booking peak by a long way for most travel companies is always the January sale. This usually starts on a Thursday just before Christmas and runs until the end of January-ish. Often with different additional promotions over January to keep a bit of buzz in the media and people talking about it.
The next traditional sale period is after Easter and normally the last big push to fill the summer.
September is then usually the push for winter sun etc.
Black Friday has also become more of a focus than it used to be for a short sharp promotion.
There will always be more targeted promotions that sit outside the sale cycle and you may be lucky that they're where you'd like to go. If I was looking to book a family holiday with a minimum of hassle, I'd be keeping an eye out during those times, making sure I booked a package with ATOL protection and aiming to book something in January sale unless a great deal came up beforehand.
JP__FOX said:
I used to manage a pricing team and still work in aviation. If you're looking for next summer, I think most of the current issues will have largely worked themselves out by then.
The biggest booking peak by a long way for most travel companies is always the January sale. This usually starts on a Thursday just before Christmas and runs until the end of January-ish. Often with different additional promotions over January to keep a bit of buzz in the media and people talking about it.
The next traditional sale period is after Easter and normally the last big push to fill the summer.
September is then usually the push for winter sun etc.
Black Friday has also become more of a focus than it used to be for a short sharp promotion.
There will always be more targeted promotions that sit outside the sale cycle and you may be lucky that they're where you'd like to go. If I was looking to book a family holiday with a minimum of hassle, I'd be keeping an eye out during those times, making sure I booked a package with ATOL protection and aiming to book something in January sale unless a great deal came up beforehand.
100% agree with this from my perspective and experience.The biggest booking peak by a long way for most travel companies is always the January sale. This usually starts on a Thursday just before Christmas and runs until the end of January-ish. Often with different additional promotions over January to keep a bit of buzz in the media and people talking about it.
The next traditional sale period is after Easter and normally the last big push to fill the summer.
September is then usually the push for winter sun etc.
Black Friday has also become more of a focus than it used to be for a short sharp promotion.
There will always be more targeted promotions that sit outside the sale cycle and you may be lucky that they're where you'd like to go. If I was looking to book a family holiday with a minimum of hassle, I'd be keeping an eye out during those times, making sure I booked a package with ATOL protection and aiming to book something in January sale unless a great deal came up beforehand.
If you're looking for a fairly standard med family holiday and are flexible on resorts / destinations - best to wait til January.
If you're looking for some specific, with detailed requirements and especially towards the upper end of the market - need to get those locked In now as we've had lots of people return from the 'best' resorts in Europe through May/June and want to get back for next year now.
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