How early does the average person book their hotel?

[marivaid]

We booked 2 trips, 2 months apart, just last week when the AP rates came out. I had no problem getting a room at CSR for Dec 21-26 (2 nights at AP rate). For our October trip we got 3 nights at POP and 3 nights at AKL all at AP rate.

I don't think there's a need to book a year in advance as long as you're flexible.

We wait for the rates to be announced and see what we can get before we book anything.

 

[girli565]

We booked 2 trips, 2 months apart, just last week when the AP rates came out. I had no problem getting a room at CSR for Dec 21-26 (2 nights at AP rate). For our October trip we got 3 nights at POP and 3 nights at AKL all at AP rate.

I don't think there's a need to book a year in advance as long as you're flexible.

We wait for the rates to be announced and see what we can get before we book anything.

The only reason I book a year out is because we like the flexibility of being able to pay for it over the next 10 months and not have to pay interest on it! Works out well for us.

My smaller trips like my upcoming F&W Fest trip I booked a few weeks ago when I saw that the Swan had Teacher's rates!

 

[dburg30]

We booked 2 trips, 2 months apart, just last week when the AP rates came out. I had no problem getting a room at CSR for Dec 21-26 (2 nights at AP rate). For our October trip we got 3 nights at POP and 3 nights at AKL all at AP rate.

I don't think there's a need to book a year in advance as long as you're flexible.

We wait for the rates to be announced and see what we can get before we book anything.

I dont book a year in advance because I'm worried about not being able to get a hotel or anything, I just like to have my vacations planned so I know what's going on. Plus as the PP said, able to have a pretty good grasp on what it's going to cost so we can pay for it over the following months.

 

[jenleahs]

Depends for us.....last year's trip to Cont was decided and planned within 48 hours......meaning on a plane within 48 hours for a week at Cont.

For my Oct 2007 trip, just planned and booked it a few days ago.

For our 2 week POR December trip over Christmas, we planned that about 6 months ago.

I think it all depends

 

[GlowingEye]

Well, I don't remember my first trip (I was 8, no planning on my end). The last two trips weren't planned by me either (or they'd have gone much smoother), but they were booked about 4-5 months out. This was when my aunt and mom got their tax return, and they booked when they knew they had the money.

 

[Jedi Master Gonzo]

I'm booking as soon as I can find a travel agent to book for 2009.

 

[marivaid]

The only reason I book a year out is because we like the flexibility of being able to pay for it over the next 10 months and not have to pay interest on it! Works out well for us.

I dont book a year in advance because I'm worried about not being able to get a hotel or anything, I just like to have my vacations planned so I know what's going on. Plus as the PP said, able to have a pretty good grasp on what it's going to cost so we can pay for it over the following months.

We book room-only now so we can't prepay like we used to for packages,but yeah when we booked a package at the Poly this summer I sure appreciated having 7 months to pay for it!!

What I meant by "there's no need to book a year in advance" is that there will be rooms available even if someone waits until 3-4 months before arrival to book. If I was dead set on a particular resort I would book as far in advance as possible though.

 

[raven69david]

I book about a year in advance. Once i secure my room, i simply wait for the discounts to come out and then i update my ressie. By booking so far in advance, i make small payments every month and by the time i know it, it's PAID OFF in advance!!!!

BTW, the max you can book in advance via CRO is 499 days.