Sarah

I am planning my vacation in 6 months. Should I book now or wait until closer to my date. In your opinion is it better to book early or wait for last minute specials?

S

That probably depends on a number of things. For some vacations, 6 months is a minimum to get the date and location you want. For others, waiting til the last minute would be fine. Once my kids are grown, my husband and I will take advantage of some of the last minute vacation deals.

Me

It depends. For bigger trips 6-8 months and sometimes longer. I am in the process of planning a trip to Greece for the 2004 Olympics right now. Smaller trips, about 30-60 days.

xxx

Totally depends on where and when you're going. Six months from now might run into Spring Break season. If so, you will likely need to book early.

CF

Depends on the popularity of the place and the time of year I'm going. I have booked staterooms 2 years in advance to get the ones I want and have also made reservations two weeks before I left home. You almost have to play it by ear. A lot of places will only accept reservations a certain amount of time ahead.

Lynn

Sarah,

That depends on the destination. If the destination is popular you should book the hotel reservation in advance to make sure you get the room type that you prefer. I usually do not book the airfare until I find a price that is suitable to my budget.

George

interesting thread. Just called United this morning and booked tickets for our annual jaunt to the Keys at the end of Jan.

We're flying from Harrisburg (where I live,) to MIA and return. Going out on Sat. and return on Sun. Got rather nice flights (not perfect, though) and the price was about 225 R/T.

Normally, I book sometime in Nov., on USAir, and the price is in the 300-range. And we almost always leave out of BWI. Harrisburg is almost always more expensive.

My advice, obviously, is look at flights now. If you find a flight that looks good, grab it. Understanding, of course, that changes will run you about 100 each.

As some of these airlines--USAir and American, particularly--start to eliminate flights, I think we're going to see a squeeze in available seats across the board.

SA

If you are going anywhere 'in season' it is better to book ahead. I already have a Montreal trip over New Years taken care of & am working on Germany/Switzerland for next June & July. We plan to go to Paris in Jan/Feb but there are always deals, so we'll wait on that. We're also planning on Key West before the end of the year but a re still waiting. I guess your flexibility is also an important ingredient.

Trvlr

If you are going to a warm climate near a beach 6 months from now, I would get busy and make your reservations now (before it is too late).

Dick

It also depends on if a special event is going on.

For some events, a year in advance is not uncommon.

Take my chances

I start planning ahead as soon as the destination is decided on. But, booking very early so you get the rooms you want has failed for me many times. i called for reservations on Long Island once and was given a quote of $190 per night for the room, when we arrived and checked in, the rooms were on special as the season was over, we stayed for $49 per night.

Cindy

I, too, start as soon as a destination is established. We decided in January of this year to go to New Orleans in September - I booked our rooms then and since have been scouring the Net, etc. for discounts. We've now managed to drop $100 a night off the initial cost. Only 25 more days and the cost doesn't cause us to cringe anymore!!