Expedia/travelocity - will prices drop?

[IndianSummer]

Our trip is in less than a month and I still haven't booked a room or car. Last year, we booked via expedia 11 days out for the same time of year and we're finding the prices higher this year.

Should I wait for prices to go lower, or will I risk missing out on a decent room or car? I'm not hoping for a specific hotel necessarily, there Are a lot of great ones that I'd be happy with.

I'm not using priceline or hot-wire because we're a family of five so we want to ensure we get a spacious suite.

Any other tips for getting a great deal or is the waiting strategy a good one?

Thanks,
Crys in Canada

 

[MarthaJr.]

Oh my gosh.....I think you should book soon. You can find lots of car rental discount codes on the transportation board here. (In fact I just posted one the other day for Alamo....look for my signature and the post about rental rates going down for Easter.)

Also I would book a hotel soon.....make ressies at a hotel that doesn't penalize you if you have to cancel or find a better rate at another hotel.

Try mousesavers and travelzoo for the best links to deals!

 

[MarthaJr.]

What are your dates of travel? I'd be happy to help you hunt down a bargain.

 

[IndianSummer]

Last year we booked a condo 11 days before our trip for under $100/night on Expedia. Thisnyear the same location, same time of year is still showing $160/night. I don't necessarily want the same condo, I just think the prices drop drastically within two weeks before the arrival date, no?

Our dates are Feb. 24-March 7, and it's really the car rental I'm getting concerned about. I've tried bidding for that on Priceline, but no luck yet, but I've been bidding quite low. We wanted a minivan or suv for the five of us. I just tried your coupon code at Alamo, and it was invalid, maybe because I'm not a US resident, IDK.

I'm getting better deals on the car rental when I put it in with the hotel on Expedia, i'm just nervous about waiting too long and not getting a good deal on a minivan. I don't know if the rental car prices drop along with the hotel prices.

Thanks for your help Martha!

 

[MarthaJr.]

found a mini van for you thru Thrifty using the orlando magic card discount for an Estimated Grand Total (USD) $717.61 including tax.

just use 004M001010 in the corporate # box on the Thrifty site.

This is a no money down reservation so you can cancel at anytime if you find a better deal.


By the way....we were able to get much better deals last year too due to the downturn in the economy here. Things are picking up and so the prices are going up. That being said, you may still be able to snag a good deal within 2 weeks of your trip. You can get some nice hotel condo deals through bookit.com but they very often charge a $25 cancellation fee if you change your mind.

 

[IndianSummer]

Thanks for your leg work Martha! I booked the vehicle with your code and if I can get a better bid on Priceline between now and then, I'll just cancel. That is the best price I've seen! I just hope I don't have to show a coupon or card or anything at the counter.

 

[MarthaJr.]

Just go to the http://orlandoinfo.com website and download a magic card for free. I've used this code many times and have never been asked to show the card....but I've always had it with me just in case. Glad I could help!