Do you get the flight before the hotel?

[thumpersfriend]

I am reading so much about the different codes and wondered if you all get your flight first and then try to get the codes. I think that I would worry if I got a good rate on a room that I couldn't get a flight. Another thing to worry about, I guess. I need your input please.

 

[speedyf]

thumpersfriend...

We actually booked our flights first. I waited and checked the Southwest Airlines page just about every day until they released the rates for our planned vacation time. I was able to book at their cheapest promotional rate as soon as it was available.

We then booked rooms at the rack rate at a hotel we could afford. We booked at Pop Century for 7 nights at $99. Now, with the Disney Visa offer....we can either go down to $69 per night on our room or upgrade to a moderate for $89 per night. Then, if the AP rates are even cheaper.....we will probably go that route and save more money.

It all depends on how you feel. We booked the air reservations first.....then, the room.....of course, we weren't very particular with which resort we wanted to stay in.


Hope this helps.....
speedyf

 

[*Fantasia*]

Normally, I book the hotel first and then the flight. This time, I booked the flight first cause I couldn't resist the rate under SouthWest. $162 RT from DTW to MCO!! I didn't even think twice if I should book it or not. Now I have to reserve the resort. Which I am still debating on where to stay! I don't even know how much the resort cost during the time of my trip!

 

[n2mm]

Hotel first, always. We book our entire set of vacations (4-5 per year) at the same time, when the CM discounts are released. I do a little modifying as time goes on, but never get my flight until 2 months and as little as 2 week before leaving. Usually when the times and price are comfortable to me.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Always hotel first for us.
We usually don't buy our tickets until at least 3 months before our trip.
We are leaving in June & we still don't have plan tickets. I am waiting for a sale!!!

 

[thumpersfriend]

I don't fly much and when we do I have used worldperks for a flight but I had to book almost a year out to have the flight. If I got a regular flight and paid cash would I take a chance of all the flights being full? Anyone have this happen to them?

 

[goofy4tink]

I always book resort first, then obsess over flights!!! Maybe I should turn it around the next time. I'd probably get a better fare.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I booked our hotel first, then the flight.

 

[puffkin]

I always do flight first then hotel. We like early AM flights and late return flights which are usually the first to book up. I usually have a rough idea what the room will be and then I book what we can afford with the AAA discount. Then, if discount codes or AP rates come out, I either upgrade or save even more money. We usually aren't too picky about our resorts so this works well for us.

FYI, for our December trip, I booked in May when the price was $200 RT from PHL to MCO. Soon after it shot up to $350 and never came down after that, and I checked every few days. We didn't book our hotel until August.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I usually book the flights first ... For our next trip, we are considering driving unless there are some really great airfare prices... so I guess we'll be booking the hotel first

 

[CarrieAP]

I check airfares and as soon as a decent one comes along I go ahead and book that first. We don't have a lot of options for cheap airfare here in Syracuse, so I don't delay when the fare seems reasonable ($187 this year is quite good). Have had flights for our May trip booked for a few weeks now but still waiting for room (AP) discounts.

 

[bubbles]

since we always go during school vacations, the flights sell out quickly. I always book the flight first( usually 330 days out). this way I get both my flight and my price (usually, but not always). Once I know I can get there and home, I can play around with the hotel reservations......good luck

 

[thumpersfriend]

Thanks everyone,looks like either way is okay but I think I will do the flight first , like the last poster said at least I know I can get there and back home. We are not going until next year in April so I am really watching this AP rate info.

 

[JayCT]

In the past we booked the resort first and then the air fare. This year DW checked the airfares and found a great rate, but it required us to travel down on a Friday and return the following Saturday. DW booked it because she knew it would not last and then we started to look at hotels. We ended up at CR Tower Club. I think it is kind of a trial and error kind of thing. Start checking both and see where you can save the most money. Good luck. Jay

 

[hulabird]

If I know we are going no matter what, and we have our dates set in stone, then I book whatever great deal comes up first, and usually it is airfare first. I am always on the watch, and check almost daily for airfare. If it would be a great price tomorrow for our August trip, I would book it immediately.

 

[schell]

I book the flight first, somtimes changing the flight by one day can double the flight cost.

 

[ironz]

I'm with schell....sometimes there can be a big difference in the plane fare depending on the airline and which days you fly...so I try to nail that down first, then get the hotel/resort. But I don't go to WDW during peak times (summer and Christmas), so hotel bookings are not as crucial for me, and I don't get set on an exact room type.

Happy planning!!