Discussion
Just musing on my part but how far in advance do you book holidays?
I realise early booking can sometimes get better deals but I find it really difficult to commit myself to more than 9 months in advance.
I’m always thinking anything could happen in the lead up. My partner or I could get ill, we could die or lose our money in a stock market crash or any such doomsday scenario.
Drawweight said:
Just musing on my part but how far in advance do you book holidays?
I realise early booking can sometimes get better deals but I find it really difficult to commit myself to more than 9 months in advance.
I’m always thinking anything could happen in the lead up. My partner or I could get ill, we could die or lose our money in a stock market crash or any such doomsday scenario.
Carrying this much doom/negativity must cause you some serious anxiety. Booking a holiday should be an experience that sees you through those murkey times. So do it!I realise early booking can sometimes get better deals but I find it really difficult to commit myself to more than 9 months in advance.
I’m always thinking anything could happen in the lead up. My partner or I could get ill, we could die or lose our money in a stock market crash or any such doomsday scenario.
I usually have mine booked around 6 months ahead of travel ... I know when and where we're going well in advance as we tend to take the same weeks every year. In fact the most restrictive element is booking our dog sitter into her place!
We tend to use Airmiles as much as we can so booking flights is often required about a year in advance before the good stuff gets booked up.
With flight sorted, we'll then spend the next couple of months researching and booking route (if applicable) and hotels.
The remaining months will then be spent researching and booking any excursions/activities, car hire etc.
As mentioned above, just make sure you have insurance for the main issues that might come up. Book on credit card in case the travel company goes belly up. If you die then I can't imagine you'll be too worried about missing your holiday. And if you lose all your money in a stock market crash, well, at least you've got a nice holiday booked and paid for right?
With flight sorted, we'll then spend the next couple of months researching and booking route (if applicable) and hotels.
The remaining months will then be spent researching and booking any excursions/activities, car hire etc.
As mentioned above, just make sure you have insurance for the main issues that might come up. Book on credit card in case the travel company goes belly up. If you die then I can't imagine you'll be too worried about missing your holiday. And if you lose all your money in a stock market crash, well, at least you've got a nice holiday booked and paid for right?
I'm just waiting for the airlines top open up April 2024 to book for next year.
Although we may be booking for just after Christmas instead.
Knowing that we have a holiday planned is a great feeling, and we'll go away regardless of any changes of circumstance - at least, those changes that wouldn't be covered by insurance.
Although we may be booking for just after Christmas instead.
Knowing that we have a holiday planned is a great feeling, and we'll go away regardless of any changes of circumstance - at least, those changes that wouldn't be covered by insurance.
Drawweight said:
Just musing on my part but how far in advance do you book holidays?
I realise early booking can sometimes get better deals but I find it really difficult to commit myself to more than 9 months in advance.
Same here, but when it comes to cruises I'm rather OCD about specific (usually aft facing) cabinsI realise early booking can sometimes get better deals but I find it really difficult to commit myself to more than 9 months in advance.
which often sell out within days of a cruise going on sale, typically 18+ months in advance.
Drawweight said:
I’m always thinking anything could happen in the lead up. My partner or I could get ill, we could die or lose our money in a stock market crash or any such doomsday scenario.
With most holidays booked in the UK, surely you would only lose the deposit in those circumstances?Depends what you mean by booked. I'll book flights to Thailand up to a year ahead to get a great price , but not book any accommodation at all. Do it all day by day when there. Same with Vietnam and Cambodia.
I've also booked flights to Thailand the week before when a good deal has surfaced (flew half price on Xmas day ! )
I've also booked flights to Thailand the week before when a good deal has surfaced (flew half price on Xmas day ! )
Flights I have to go on I’ll do as soon as I can - holidays though are often last minute and it’s not unusual for me to see I’ve got a quiet week ahead and leave the next day. When the weathers half decent I’m perfectly happy being at home - but if it’s been tough at work or the weathers bad I’ll see what flights are around.
I detest the faff of booking holidays whereas Mrs JS revels in a bit of admin so I leave everything up to her.
Only exceptions to that are if we're sailing then I get to choose which boat we charter and if we're on a Euroland road trip I have a back of a fag packet check of mileages between destinations. We avoid hotels and always self cater so I like to have a quick shufti at what local markets are about and make sure there's a decent kitchen in the accommodation she's picked too.
We both like doing and seeing the same things on holiday so all I have to do is agree to wherever and whenever and however long she wants to go for and she'll get straight on it and have everything researched and booked and organised months ahead.
Works a treat.
Only exceptions to that are if we're sailing then I get to choose which boat we charter and if we're on a Euroland road trip I have a back of a fag packet check of mileages between destinations. We avoid hotels and always self cater so I like to have a quick shufti at what local markets are about and make sure there's a decent kitchen in the accommodation she's picked too.
We both like doing and seeing the same things on holiday so all I have to do is agree to wherever and whenever and however long she wants to go for and she'll get straight on it and have everything researched and booked and organised months ahead.
Works a treat.
rufmeister said:
Booked yesterday, going next Friday. Live by the seat of my pants!
Truth is I run a busy small business and can only get away when it allows, so more often than not, this is the case.
It's usually the two extremes where the bargains are to be had: either really far in advance, or completely last minute. We have had good experiences doing both over the years. Booking in between the extremes always seems to cost more.Truth is I run a busy small business and can only get away when it allows, so more often than not, this is the case.
A family member back in the day used to just turn up at an airport with her passport and a suitcase and see where she could get a cheap flight to! Not sure how feasible that would be now but I quite like the idea of trying it (if I didn't have a family to worry about!)
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