How do you book your trips?

[Beth76]

Not sure if this is the right board but here goes. In what order do you book everything for your trips? This is, of course, if your dates are flexible and during low season. Do you choose a time and then book the resort and then look for airfare? Do you wait to find good airfare and then book a resort based off of that?

We are very flexible when we go. I would like to early early Oct or early Jan, ideally. But, like I said, we are completely flexible. I want to go during low crowds though. And we can frequently get airfare to MCO for under $150, but right now there are no deals.

I plan on using a TA, Small World or Dreams Unlimited most likely. Should I just go ahead and pick a date where we can get a good rate (AAA) and then hope to get good airfare when we get closer. Or should I wait for good airfare and then hope to get a good rate on the room? How does everyone else do it?

Also, can I start getting quotes from the TA now even though I really don't know when exactly we want to go? Can I have the TA search for a good time for us to go? I've never really used a TA before.

TIA!!

 

[jimmalru80]

We use the same local TA we have for years. We book the whole thing at one time.

 

[Catrin]

For this trip... I knew I wanted to go sometime late May, early June.....

SO I waited for the Southwest sale, and searched for the best rate. Then I called CRO to ask for a discounted room (I had a PIN). THEN I made sure I could get the three days off of work.

All worked out good this time!
Catrin

 

[cassie]

I call CRO and book my room first when I decide what month I'm going. That's at least 6 months in advance. Then I start watching the airfares for a reasonable price. My favorite months are May & Oct, but I'm finding May to be quite crowded.