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I am still trying to figure out how to get the best deals on travel...I planned my vacation six months ago, purchased plane tickets, hotel reservations, thinking that planning far ahead, I would get a better deal.
So, I am checking out the airfare website, the plane tickets are CHEAPER now! M I should have waited?
Who can figure this out? It is driving me insane. I just should not have looked! Oh, yes, there is also a special deal for the hotel...less expensive too!
Of course, I can't cancel the trip and reschedule, because I was locked in when I bought everything before!
When it comes to traveling for vacation I am a very spur of the moment person. Even then I usually book directly with the airline or hotel so that I can make changes if need be. I may pay more but the peace of mind is worth it.
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I also don't like booking way in advance and being in locked into plans so far in advance. I rather pay a bit more if necessary and do everything closer to my travel dates.
Typically I buy a couple of months ahead (not 6). When I have looked I have usually found that fares were unchanged or higher.
This is one of those cases where you just have to accept that you may not get the cheapest deal. If you try to get the cheapest price you may find things completely booked, and you get to stay home. Early bookers may get the more desirable hotels, and the aisle seats.
I have heard that there are websites that track air fares and give you an idea of when it is a favorable time to buy. I have never used them however.
Now with rental cars- you can cancel without penalty and rebook.
No one has a crystal ball. With Southwest, you can exchange your tickets at anytime if the price drops.
Almost all of my flying is international and I have a kid to take with me. I buy about 2-4 months in advance and I've never found it goes down except for carriers I have completely written off like US Airways. I'd rather fly on a sleigh pulled by albatrosses then get back with them.
I tend to book other things around that time too like rental cars and hotels. The prices fluctuate with those so sometimes I am able to switch out and get better deals, sometimes not.
We usually book at least 6 months in advance and sometimes earlier than that. Our flights are always international. I MUST have an aisle seat on a plane or I go berserk.
I never book too far in advance, maybe a couple of weeks is the max.
Do not get upset by seeing the lower price, it happens, cannot predict it (seasonal predicting is as close as you can get), so no use thinking about it.
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