Book First - Apartment or Flight?
#1
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Book First - Apartment or Flight?
I have never been to Paris before - I am planning our first trip for September 2012. I've researched lots of apartments and have a list of about six places. While researching apartments, I found that quite a few are booked well into next year. I am wondering if most people book their apartment first, and then their flight? What do you do?
#5
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I typically book the flight first, actually. But I'm usually pricing a few different multi-city flight itineraries (into Rome, out of Venice or vice versa, leaving on a Tuesday vs. leaving on a Saturday...) and need to wait to see what flights I end up with before I know the dates I'll be in which city. If you know for sure you're going into and out of Paris on specific dates, no harm in booking the apartment first.
#12
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I always book the flight first, then other stuff. The flight is the most important thing financially which affects my travel dates. I've seen flight prices vary up to $300 or more just by moving a day or two one direction or another. This is probably because one day is a lot more popular and the cheapest seats have already been sold. At least that's been the case where I am flying. I will not just book any flight on any airline to get somewhere on a particular date, though (I won't endure more than one change and I won't do long layovers, for example). Once in a while if you gamble, the price will come down again on the dates you want, but it may not.
If I were going to rent an apt on vacation, I would just start my planning earlier than normal. Now I am not one of these folks who books apts a year in advance, though. In that case, you have plenty of time to check around for flights in a reasonable time frame if you have a good idea of the pricing. So if you know absolutely what dates you want a year in advance, and the apt is key, I'd book it first, I guess. That way, if you are just dying to have one place (another thing that isn't relevant to me, I can always have alternates) and need to switch a day forward or back to get it, you don't have to worry about the flight if you book it second.
So it all depends on your time frame, I'd say.
If I were going to rent an apt on vacation, I would just start my planning earlier than normal. Now I am not one of these folks who books apts a year in advance, though. In that case, you have plenty of time to check around for flights in a reasonable time frame if you have a good idea of the pricing. So if you know absolutely what dates you want a year in advance, and the apt is key, I'd book it first, I guess. That way, if you are just dying to have one place (another thing that isn't relevant to me, I can always have alternates) and need to switch a day forward or back to get it, you don't have to worry about the flight if you book it second.
So it all depends on your time frame, I'd say.
#13
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Booked July 2010 for a July 2011 stay in Paris. Set up fare alerts for our dates and got a great rate in November 2010.
We've decided we need a do-over in Paris (long story!) and just picked dates. I will be emailing VIP to see if the apartment we stayed in is available. Got a couple back ups too. Will set up fare alerts this weekend and play the waiting game.
We've decided we need a do-over in Paris (long story!) and just picked dates. I will be emailing VIP to see if the apartment we stayed in is available. Got a couple back ups too. Will set up fare alerts this weekend and play the waiting game.
#14
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Right now, I am due in Paris in November. I booked the apartment as soon as I found the one I fell in love with. I am still watching airfares like a hawk, waiting for just the right fare deal. I wouldn't suggest waiting as long as I have (lol), getting a bit nervous!
#19
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I book the apartment first as there are a lot of flights to Paris, but not always a lot of apartments available in the areas that I prefer to stay in or at the price point that I'm willing to pay. So, when I find one that I like, I jump on it. Happy Travels!
#20
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I think the approach has a lot to do with people's priorities.
Gina says she booked her apartment as soon as she found one she fell in love with - the apartment is clearly important to her. I like a nice place to sleep, but a particular apartment or hotel is not really important to me, and although I have stayed a lot of places that I really liked, I don't have the same emotional attachment.
I don't think either approach is better per se, just a better fit for a particular person.
Gina says she booked her apartment as soon as she found one she fell in love with - the apartment is clearly important to her. I like a nice place to sleep, but a particular apartment or hotel is not really important to me, and although I have stayed a lot of places that I really liked, I don't have the same emotional attachment.
I don't think either approach is better per se, just a better fit for a particular person.