best time to book

scooper

i have been getting quotes for our holiday in the dhop and on the phone and the prices keep changing quite dramatically.i was quoted arond £700 for our holiday and i have just checked again and its gone up to over £1000.
i was told to wait till the weekend but i think the more im waiting the more its going up!!
this is my first time abroad so im planning and researching it all,by the time i have got a quote and gone and checked out the hotel the prices are changing.
should i now wait and see if it can go lower on the weekend?

ento_2

I have a couple of tips for you:

first of all when you are in the travel agents they always ask you you lowest price so far. Always give a slightly lower price than you already have - make them earn your money.
Second, if, or when, you've found your flight - lower the price of the holiday by declining the in flight meal thats £10 each!!!! (unless u like those "meals"
3rd, when it comes to last minute it sounds like you know where/when you want to go. What you have to rememeber is that when it comes to holidays price depends on demand. High demand (school half terms) high price.... this is also the case when it comes to last minute holidays, if the operator knows the flight will sell then the price will seldom decrease. keep trying, when you get the lower price go for it.

finally Yes the price may come down but just bear in mind someone else maybe looking for that holiday you want, when you want, and is also waiting for the price to drop...

1 more, don't use package holidays - DIY my ski trip just cost £198 for a trip that thomascook wanted 899 for... the only diffrence i've not thomascook repesentitive in resort, and i'm getting a taxi from the airport instead of a coach!

hope this helps, good luck

steviesrightfoot

just starting to look ahead for a holiday next Feb
due to the fact it`s a family hol we`re going to book now to take away any poss problems

scooper

i think ive decided not to diy it as we are ''first timers'',im just hoping that it will go down.
i have emailed the resort i want to stay at and it works out dearer than the second resort,counting flights and transfers,i just feel ashamed keeping going into thomson's asking for different quotes then waiting.
also on that subject thomson say they wont be beaten on a thmson holiday,but i had a quote of them and then rang them and they said they couldnt beat it!so semms to me in my case untrue.

barron_2

ento wrote:

I have a couple of tips for you:

first of all when you are in the travel agents they always ask you you lowest price so far. Always give a slightly lower price than you already have - make them earn your money.
Second, if, or when, you've found your flight - lower the price of the holiday by declining the in flight meal thats £10 each!!!! (unless u like those "meals"
3rd, when it comes to last minute it sounds like you know where/when you want to go. What you have to rememeber is that when it comes to holidays price depends on demand. High demand (school half terms) high price.... this is also the case when it comes to last minute holidays, if the operator knows the flight will sell then the price will seldom decrease. keep trying, when you get the lower price go for it.

finally Yes the price may come down but just bear in mind someone else maybe looking for that holiday you want, when you want, and is also waiting for the price to drop...

1 more, don't use package holidays - DIY my ski trip just cost £198 for a trip that thomascook wanted 899 for... the only diffrence i've not thomascook repesentitive in resort, and i'm getting a taxi from the airport instead of a coach!

hope this helps, good luck

I agree with most things you are saying Ento, however may i add this;

1.Yes they will earn their money,but be prepared for them to ask you where you obtained the lower price,dont forget access to nearly all on offer can be found through their system.

2.Agree or haggle.

3.& 4.Agree.

5.Mmmm.D.I.Y. is terrific, but dont forget you have no assurances, ie Booking a flight direct with the airline eg easy Jet you are not protected.(atol)plus your hotel has no guarantees.(abta or bond).

The top 4 on the high street have basically got it sown up,(check tui ,how many travel companies they own).
Its better to use your Local independant or I/net supplier,again make sure they are ATOL licensed.

They can find the best and usually the cheapest out there,not always but mostly.They have access to nearly all the reservation systems there is,can find the cheapest from the tour op's,and they WANT your business,so will also pass on some discount.( if your lucky )!!.

If you want to test the theory,search for a hol with say,Tomson and then search exactly the same with an indi,9.5 out of 10,indi will be cheaper,maybe not with Tomson,but same Hol ,same time,with a. n. other op.Or even tailor made!.

Before anyone asks Yes i am in the trade.

Savapenny,sloppychops,budgetflyer to name a few all do a brill job of saving people money,dont forget to hit the THANKS button for them.

I think i've gone on a bit(lot),so over to you.

Happy Hols. Barron.

ento_2

I only DIY as i'm a frequent holiday maker, my DIY is generally to accomodation that i know of, (have read reviews that i trust), or to an area that i know of. And I only DIY if the package holiday has got so expensive it's in my interest to DIY - or i'm a little skint and need the trip.

Of course it's correct and safer to stay ABTA bonded - which co-insides with insurance. At the end of the day just think - whats the worse that could happen and think how you'd deal with it. I suppose with a rep (from whatever company) at least you've got someone to shout at!!

saveapenny

There is a way to have the best of both world.
Now there are many travel agents that specialise in dynamic packaging.
At least that way you get the DIY prices and have all the security of ATOL bonding and often the price is the same as you would get it yourself off the net all it menas it the TA earns commision at no extra cost to you...win win !!
Baron do you offer this service?

barron_2

Hi Ento.

Totally agree on all points,wasn't having a go at you personally,but just trying to alay some fears that scooper had.

1 quick one for others look for the ATOL,

If an agent is not ABTA,it doesn't mean their dodgy.

Most have Trust Bonding with other associations,although of course ABTA is the best known,if your not sure check the companies profile (usually at bottom of web page or ASK them,how are you are protected.

That wasn't that quick!!!.

Happy Hols (on the slopes !!) Cheers Ento (wana job!!!)

barron_2

HI ya,SAVEAPENNY(thats better)!!!.

wondered where you were.


Yes. We will be.

It was something i was getting to in my previous blurb!

You better get going thers loads wanting help!

Laters.

Sorry not reading properly,meant SAVEAPENNY,
SORRY again

ento_2

I would just like to add to my previous responses regarding DIY and that is sometimes its not easy... but with homework, determination & a little knowlege (via the internet)

Top tip for you all.... if there is no accomodation - try and speak another language, via, freetransalation.com - brilliant!!! They think your making the effort and they reward! hey presto!

...i've just managed to arrange a trip (at half term) and got an Austrian holiday home for 4 people for euro 75 per day! dead centre of town... perfect! (now we communicate in english)

Barron, no worries about your comments, you are right - for first timers it's gotta be travel agents all the way, peace of mind and security comes before DIY money saving! & as for the job... maybe?!

barron_2

Hi Ento.

Result on Austria & the translation site(new one on me)!

Keep in touch

Happy Hols

Barron.