Do you book airfare first or hotel?
 

I am beginning to plan a trip to Hawaii for next summer. Any two weeks in the summer will work for us. Should I wait for a great airfare to open up? Or should I reserve the hotels I want and change the hotel dates later if a great airfare opens up???

If you want specific hotels and the reservations are cancellable, then go ahead and make your best guess on the dates. Most travelers book the flights first, since there are so many more options with hotels.

I always book flight then hotel. In regards to the flight. I just went through this, waiting for cheaper fare for my son who is coming up in August. Well it finally went down to a unbelieveable fare, so I booked, however, when I went to choose the seats, there were not many left. So had no choice to where he would sit. He was not to happy, but heh, he got a great flight fare. So if you do not care how far back in the plane you want to sit, I guess go for the lower fare. Just my experience.

I always book flights first. I'm picky about them, partly for price, but even more important airlines, flight times, nonstop flights, which connecting airports, time of layovers (not too long/not too short), etc.

I usually have several hotels in mind that would work at a particular destination and have never been unable to get a reservation fitting my flights so far.

Going in the summer like the last week of June through August you don't want to wait too long to get your flight. As mentioned if you have a specific hotel in mind you may check for deals with them or even air and hotel packages.

You've traveled to the islands before so you probably have an idea what a great airfare is from your part of the country. This year, where I live fares seemed to drop a little around early May for travel in July and August. That's when I bought our tickets for Honolulu/Kaua'i. I ususally don't wait that long, but I wanted to see what would happen.

I'd book the hotels for midweek arrivals and departures as airfares are usually a few dollars cheaper when you travel midweek.

Flights first unless we are using hotel points/rewards.

Flights first, though I look at the rates for the hotels I'm interested in before I book the flight.

I guess I'm the oddball out. I always make my hotel reservations first and then wait for a good deal on the airfare.

However, I usually know exactly when I'm going and what flights I want to take. I always book cancellable rooms and will change them later if I adjust anything.

I can tell you statistically that most people book air first.
There are obviously many exceptions.
A good example is my trip to Boston next week. I knew I would be going to this convention 1 year ago and I confirmed an incredible rate in November.

I usually book my airfare first and then look for hotels. However, with your situation in Hawaii, I guess it would depend on where you are staying. If you want to stay in a condo in a certain building or area, I would probably look at availability of the condos first. Lots of the best condos book up a year in advance. So in that case, I would get my condo and then my airfare. However, if you are just doing hotels, then I would get airfare first.

I always book my hotel first. As long as I can cancel it. Then I wait for a good deal on the airline ticket. Book that and then go back and "refine" my choice for hotel. In other words, change it if necessary. Always works for me.

I book the hotel first. One of my favourite places to stay has less than 40 rooms, so availability is limited. Then I book the airfare. With airlines, I'm not as choosy. Depends if you're interested in only one or two airlines, or if you're choosy about where you want to stay.