Book very early or very late?

square_bear

Hello all
To get a good deal on a long-haul trip to Los Angeles is there a general rule of thumb of how to get the right accommodation and flight at a good price?
I'm looking to possibly go there next July and wondered if it's wise to book now or leave it to say, about a week before we want to depart.

Can anyone advise or share their experiences?

Many thanks.

comeandgo

I always book flights very early then never look at the prices again.

bigadaj

Schools holidays, Xmas, Easter, it's very unlikely that prices will fall closer to the time so book early is much more likely to get the best prices.

If booking early make sure that you have travel insurance in place as much can change if you have booked a year ahead.

richardw

Seriously consider staying in Orange County and San Diego which are much nicer, with day trips to the main LA attractions.

Also consider flying to San Diego and back from LAX, BA flight and hotel or car deals can be good and they now do multi stop deals, check their website. A380 aircraft are operated on some BA flights to LAX and it's a great plane.

square_bear

Very informative Richard, thank you.
We plan to visit Six Flags Magic Mountain, Beverly Hills and a tour around Los Angeles.
I've had a quick look online and for July 2018, two adults with a 16 year old the flight and hotel for 7 nights comes to £2,200.
Is this the sort of price range to expect?

minimad1970

comeandgo wrote: »

I always book flights very early then never look at the prices again.

comeandgo, what would you class as very early for a september 2018 flight? Thanks.

comeandgo

As soon as they come out. My husband and I are going to Australia December, I booked as soon as flights were priced and on line, I think it was March. A relative decided they would fly with us. The price they paid was £300 more than the price I paid and that was only a month later.

PompeyPete

Problem with booking too early is that flight schedules are liable to change. If you make onward bookings or return bookings as per the original schedules then you might have to re-schedule, and perhaps at a cost.

comeandgo

Ours have changed once, by five minutes but you are right, it is a risk, I book the flights straight through so if first flight late arriving then airline gets us on next flight. Times are not vital for us a few hours here and there makes no difference.

PeacefulWaters

PompeyPete wrote: »

Problem with booking too early is that flight schedules are liable to change. If you make onward bookings or return bookings as per the original schedules then you might have to re-schedule, and perhaps at a cost.

A big change gives you a chance to reprise elsewhere and accept cancellation!

dickydonkin

richardw wrote: »

Seriously consider staying in Orange County and San Diego which are much nicer, with day trips to the main LA attractions.

This is also my strategy.

With a car (you will need a car for sure), staying in or around Orange County gives you good access to California's cities, beaches and other attractions.

You could also make it a multi destination by including San Francisco
or Vegas.

As many hotels now charge car parking per night, this cost also needs to be factored in...although some still do offer free parking.

As for flights, just keep checking for sales and you may hit lucky.