For those of you who are owners of vacation rentals -- what constitutes a last minute booking? I suppose some of this might be site/season specific -- but for low season (early December or January) in Rome, Paris, or Florence -- what counts as last minute? 4 weeks prior to check-in? 2 weeks prior?

Asking for the same day!

It's definitely not the same day! When I rented a Paris studio 1-2 weeks prior last year, this seemed to be difficult for the owners as they already had made plans to leave for that weekend.

It ended up they just left me a code for entry (and hid a key inside) and trusted I would leave balance of the payment on the table before I left.

But if 1-2 weeks prior is too last minute for some owners, what time window is preferred?

Well, Fishee perhaps for those particular owners you dealt with the same day wasn't last minute but for other people it certainly could be.

If I were an owner I would certainly appreciate knowing I had a place rented weeks, even months ahead.

But what is the point of your question?

Are you asking if there is some sort of "universal definition" of the term "last minute" or what?

The point of my question is at what point could one begin to expect "last minute" reductions and specials?

Virtually all ads I've seen mention there are specials for last minute bookings. So when do you start asking for these reduced rates and/or flexibility in terms -- i.e. 5 days rental rather than the usual 7 day minimum.

ttt

Hi F,

>...at what point could one begin to expect "last minute" reductions and specials? <

For some places and seasons the price goes up not down.

Where, specifically, are you looking for a hotel?

Ira -- I was thinking of apartment rentals actually, not hotels.

I'm wondering if 4 weeks before arrival would be considered last minute notice or do most owners feel there's still plenty of time to book someone? If I'm going to try to negotiate for lower rent, I don't want to push my luck or be too obnoxious... I'm planning a trip to Paris in early Dec. and whie I have a place provisionally on hold, I still don't have aifare yet. I thought maybe I could start asking for last minute rates, but wasn't sure if it was too early.