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?

I'll book the apartment first, then wait for the right time to book the fligt.

Apartment. Flights you can watch prices and jump on a deal.

Apartment first, then the flight. There is a much greater chance of an apartment becoming unavailable than a flight.

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.

I have the same strategy as jent for the same reasons. The flights determine when we will be where. Also we use FF miles whenever we can, and flexibility is a must for success with miles.

Flight first, then apartment/hotel.

What's the cancellation policy on the apartment? If minimal, then book the apartment first.

I always book the flights first but usually way in advance so plenty of apartments are still available.

I'm like sassy_cat. I booked my flights for June 2012 (to Portugal) mid August.

apartment first to get what I want, then the flight but I am out of a major US hub with direct flights to Paris

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.

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.

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!

Are you talking about this November? You could end up paying a lot more for that airfare than if you weren't waiting for some magical deal.

Really? :) I understand that. But the hunt is half the fun.

travelocity is having flash sales 449 RT from my city daily; but you have to move fast on these sales as they only last a few minutes and then you deal with broken links. :(

I like to book my airfare first to get the connection and times I prefer. I would rather find a different apartment than be stuck with an extra flight and bad departure/arrival times.

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!

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.

I agree with november _moon; it depends which is most important to you. I book places to stay first, as Where I stay is a priority for me.
If your dates are absolutely inflexible, or of you are using miles, booking air first makes sense.

Also important is what is relevant for this trip on top of what is relevant to the person. For those living in cities where flights to Paris is plentiful, the flight may be a subordinate priority. But that is not the case for everyone. It would be best to weigh pros and cons of different approaches for each trip. Even going to the same place at the same time of the year, the answer may be different from year to year. If the value of a trip hinges on the particular property, then the apartment is the priority. If you can live with an alternate accommodation, then the priority is different.

Great points! :) Airfares are so unpredictable these days...I'm wishing for an even better fare to come along soon.

As far as my apartment, I always had the idea of one with a view overlooking the eiffel tower. HAD to have it. Little money. So I searched for over a year and found the perfect one (sans the no tub just a shower issue lol) within financial reach. Im sure when I go back I will go even cheaper and not have such strict demands. I guess it is as everyone said, what is most important to you?

Thanks everyone for your insight. I decided to go with BeachGirl247's advice - to book the flight and get the best departure/arrival times. I want to use FF miles on a direct flight - so I will book flights first before apartment. But apartment will be a close second!