In every industry in the world – tourism, housing, finance, entertainment – there is always someone who wants ‘in’ at the last minute. At a bargain price. To fit their very specific needs. How is that working out for you?
Though online travel sites may make you think you can grab a deal last minute, the truth is there are usually pretty good reasons those offers are so cheap. Maybe it’s a false lead-in hoping you’ll pay more. Or they are just trying to fill one last seat on the plane, one last room in the hotel – so how does this work out for your family of four?
The reality is, planning ahead for your family vacation is always your best bargain. Here’s why:
1. Everyone who has a family needs to travel on a school vacation, which means everyone is vying for the same airline tickets and hotel rooms on the same dates in the same locations. Those two weeks over Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Just about every family in the USA has those same two weeks off.
2. Airlines notoriously increase their prices as the airplanes fill and frequent flier seats are limited; it is truly the early bird who gets the best price. Around 330 days prior to travel, those seats start to open up. Be ready.
3. Hotels are too smart to discount at peak season. Which, again, is when we travel with our families! They know their hotel will be full for all of the holidays – some of them are full nine months or more in advance. But if you want to plan now for a year down the road they just might lock in a current price for you!
And here is what you can do about it:
1. Plan now. Even if that school calendar isn’t out yet, it’s pretty easy to figure out when those vacation days will fall based on past years.
2. Get your land arrangements in place so you are ready to pounce 330 days prior to travel for your flights. Sometimes a hotel will even lock in a current price if you want to plan for a year down the road.
3. Make use of a professional travel agent to track those flights early and grab the best schedule and fare. Their knowledge and expertise with a broad range of airlines will save you many hours of pain trying to figure it out yourself.
