Best time to book package holiday for July 2018

samphe

We’ve been looking at a package holiday for July 2018. Prices have gone up a bit since we first started looking.

Should we get on and book it before they go up any more, or are prices likely to come down at all in the new year, or closer to the summer?

theonlywayisup

The best advice is to find a price you are happy with and book, then don't look back. No one can tell you if prices will rise/lower.

worried_jim

I agree. Find what you like and book it, then stop looking otherwise you’ll go mad.

PeacefulWaters

When it's cheapest.

Westin

Tour operators will soon start their sale campaigns for 2018. I would be inclined to hold off a little longer. Do the research now and decide on your shortlist and be ready to book shortly after Christmas. Not long to wait!

Some will start their campaigns a few days before Christmas but you should find all are active with promotional messages from around 26th-27th December. Although few will advertise when these sales finish, most will typically run to at least the end of January, some to mid-February.

Pricing will however be fluid throughout. Popular picks will increase and routes needing a push might drop slightly more in price towards the end of their sales.

Depending on your destination, unless aiming for the first week of July, the rest of the month is likely to be a busy and high demand. This will obviously affect the discounts that might be offered for your dates of travel.

Finally, expect TUI and Thomas Cook to apply discounts via codes on top of any hotel generated offers. These have a minimum spend and in the past might be £100-£150 off on a £1000 plus booking. Plan accordingly as obviously for a couple selecting a holiday at £501 per person will give you a better discount that one at £499 per person.

Happy holiday hunting.

Humphreyshalfmoon

It may depend exactly when you want to travel in July, first two weeks may well see discounts, from the 20th onwards very little or no chance at all as the first two weeks of school holidays are the most popular of the year and operators can normally name their price as demand exceeds supply.

peachyprice

Booked mine back in September

You may find there are some bargains to be had in the New Year sales, especially if you're booking independently.

MATTR5

Once you find a price don't forget to see if we can beat it in the Beat My Quote Thread - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/509598 - especially Jet2hols and Thomas Cook - we can almost always beat them like for like

Mattr5
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greenface

we are still last minute bookers . pick a destination and a star hotel (4 star and above ) wait until about 10 days before and read reviews on what looks good for us . that's for beach European med hols . We like greek/Italian islands but not too fussy where but try to find somewhere new

z1a

Usually book mine the first full day back after current years hol. Always have the last 2 weeks of English school hols, and book from Scottish airport.

Archergirl

Probably depends as well on how flexible you are, I would book sooner rather than later if you know where you want and have fixed dates.