Advice for a Newbie

[Callum]

I bet this sounds really daft to all of you regular DVC visitors BUT what comes first..........

Do you reserve your resort...........then book flights.......or vice versa???

Any advice or experiences would be more than welcome

 

[paulh]

unless its a peak time we book flights then accomadation
Paulh

 

[mikki.young]

If I have enough points to play with I book accomodation first and then tinker with the dates once I get the actual flights. I like the security of knowing I have a definite booking and there are no penalties for changing dates (assuming you are more than 30 days away from your trip which I think we in the UK would normally be when getting our flights).

 

[Pootle]

Normally I book flights first, but for my holiday next April, I've already booked my DVC accommodation (including Boardwalk view studio which I needed to book at 11 months) but am waiting for a Virgin sale to book PE flights (fingers crossed here ). However, April is my UY and the booking is with 2008 points, so if I had to cancel or change, I've nothing to lose by doing this - providing I cancel more than 30 days before. I love this flexibility

 

[Minniespal]

We book the flights and then the accommodation.

 

[Hilary]

For DVC accommodation I would book that first, as it's so easy to switch if necessary, then get the flights finalised

As a general rule though, we book our flights first (or, at the very least check that the flights are available), then check the accommodation availability and then commit to all the bookings pretty much at the same time.

 

[Callum]

Thanks everybody

All your comments and suggestions have been really helpful. We like to book our flights well in advance so by reserving AKV first, we will still have plenty of time to tinker with final dates when flights are confirmed.

Moira (Pootle) - you mentioned about a possible Virgin sale on PE seats. How can I keep an eye on this? Is it a regular thing or is it just a case of checking their website every day.

 

[TinkTatoo]

For DVC accommodation I would book that first, as it's so easy to switch if necessary, then get the flights finalised ......

Same here - we book our accommodation as soon as the 11 month window opens and book the flights not long after. We have to book schedule flights but if you are booking a fly drive through someone like VH you can get your flights sorted first.

 

[squitty]

but if you are booking a fly drive through someone like VH you can get your flights sorted first.

That is what we have done for next year

 

[scottishsue]

We usually book our flights first too. Welcome along Callum !! What part of lovely sunny Scotland are you in ?

 

[Pootle]

Moira (Pootle) - you mentioned about a possible Virgin sale on PE seats. How can I keep an eye on this? Is it a regular thing or is it just a case of checking their website every day.

Last year I recorded some of the dates of BA/Virgin special offers. For instance, they both started sales on Friday, 7th July 2006, so I checked on Friday, 6th July this year and, hey presto the sale started that day!

BA and Virgin had a sale at the end of September, then again mid October 2006. On Saturday 21st October The Times ran a sales promotion in conjunction with BA and I recorded 'Good deals on all categories for Nov-Dec and up to end of March 2007'. Then on Monday, 27th November 2006 I noted Virgin offers for early December and Jan-March.

I'm sure there are no guarantees of offers - maybe with the exchange rate being so good they are selling more tickets to the US without deep discounting - but if you are travelling outside of school holidays and peak periods especially, it pays to keep an eye open in the press or on the websites for possible deals.

Some on the main trip planning forum are quite knowledgeable about all things Virgin , (I'm a relative novice) so suggest you look/post there for tips also

Oh yes, and a belated 'Welcome' from me too

 

[Callum]

Moira - Thanks for the info on the Virgin flights. I'll "tune in" around the dates you listed and see if anything is on offer. Our last trip to FL was by Virgin out of Manchester and would certainly do it again. The down side is the drive back North after an early morning arrival. Double shot cappuccinos keep me going

Sue - We are here in (sometimes) sunny Lanarkshire overlooking the River Clyde at Garrion Bridge. I have to admit though, that our particular scenic view is of heavy lorries thundering past us on their way to the M74 Can't have it both ways!!