How far in advance do you all make a hotel reservation
 

Just curious...How far in advance do you all make hotel reservations thru internet, emails, calls to hotels, etc. for your travel to bkk and other asian destinations? Is it more advantageous to wait until the last minute to get a better price or does it all depend on the season? What are your experiences?
Aloha!

For us, I usually make reservations as soon as I know when to make them for.

When we use Hiltons, I always make them as far in advance as possible, then continue to check the rates, as I can and do change my rate to a lower one if possible (almost always possible). I check up to the day we check in. I usually use the online booking system, but I do also call when the rate online is above what I am accustomed to. By telephone directly to the hotel, I have been able to get a room in a sold out hotel, and get a better rate than what is published online by asking. I ask for a better rate at Japanese Hiltons when the rate I see onlline is more than 2000 yen more than I paid last stay. We seldom pay more than 20,000 yen/night for all 3 of us in an exec floor room (with a rack rate for two being 41,000 yen/night at Nagoya).

I've made reservations for part of our trip this Christmas...at one place where there are only 10 rooms and I know sells out at Christmas, we've reserved the room we want. I've not paid anything, and they said the credit card from our last stay is guarantee enough. I can cancel up to day of arrival. I've also reserved for a few days a specific room at another small place, credit card guarantee, but cancel 2 weeks in advance of check in to avoid one night penalty charge.

In the case of the place we've never stayed, I looked at prices on many booking sites, got a feel for what was on offer, checked the rates for summer specials, too. Then I wrote to the hotel directly and asked for information...they rate they quoted me was the same as the booking sites' summer specials, but in January, 2006...and far below what any of the booking sites were offereing, and far below the hotel's own website's rates.

Booking in advance is advantageous in that you get the room for sure before the hotel is sold out. You lock in the rate you reserved early and if it goes up you're all set. If you haven't prepaid (watch out for the prepaid rates, as they are seldom changeable or cancellable) you can usually rebook at the lower rate if one comes up.

If you are planning on prepaying or using an agent, then waiting a bit might pay off, as the booking agents don't really have their rates for too far into the future. The booking agents/sites have a very strict cancellation and change policy...it's rare that you don't have to pay a charge to change or cancel. This is one of the reasons I like to go directly to the hotel...to avoid prepaying and to get the most flexible terms with least penalty. Of course, some hotels do have rather rigid policies that don't favor the customer as well. You've got to check and be sure you understand.

I usually travel during high season and I'm very choosy about where I stay, so I make my reservations many months in advance. I often use asiahotels.com and usually there is no fee for cancellations (read the fine print, though, it depends on what kind of rate you are paying).

I just checked a few hotels on Asiahotels.com. They have varying terms.

The Legian in Bali...cancel more than 4 days out, costs $15.00 to cancel, $5.00 to change. Within 4 days, cancellation is one night charge penalty.

Villa Kubu in Bali...apparently no charge up to 2 weeks before your stay...then one nights penalty.

Peninsula Bangkok - same policy as Legian Bali.

Oriental Bangkok - same as Legian and Pen Bangkok.

Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa - pay direct at hotel upon arrival. Cancel less than 3 days before stay one night penalty.

The terms differ hotel by hotel...but none were penalty free up to the day of arrival that I checked. Like Kathie said, be sure you check the terms and conditions very carefully before booking. I'd not use a booking service unless they came out far cheaper than direct booking, and I was absolutely sure of my plans, as the penalties for cancellation/change could wipe out any possible savings.

It also depends on how firm your plans are. The chances I'd cancel a reservatiion less than a week (or even a month) away from my stay dates is virtually nil. I have to say that in all my years of travel, I've never paid a cancellation penalty.

Just made reservations for Westin Miyako in Kyoto over Asiarooms.com and we'll see if we get a confirmation. Because we'll be there over NewYear's, I feel a bit anxious to line up a room. So I'd do a reservation as soon as you know your dates....within reason. But this is the first time for me using this site and I'm a bit anxious.

i find the further i book in advance the better the rate i get....except from the discounters who often lower rates nearer the date espcially in the low season like now in thailand....

hello from pattaya by the way...don't come here