How far in advance can you book holidays from work?

[Portugal1000]

I hate this time of year. I know exactly when I want to go next year and flights are out but I cant book my time off from work yet. As I work shifts my days off are included so we do swaps which has never been a problem, always get over 3 weeks off but until I have them swapped I never know for sure if I will be able to go. Some people are very reluctant to swap so far in advance, I guess incase something better comes along. Not really complaining, I have a great job and it is the reason why this next trip will be our 12th since 2005 along with lots of other European holidays. Next year I have two other families coming with us, best friend and brother and they are both sorted so just waiting for me. I am checking flights for them every day and if a great deal comes up I have told them they have to book it and worry about me later. Just wondered how far in advance others can book time off work. I once booked before I had the cover as I got a flight in 2012 for £420 in summer school holidays, but the next 2 months were too stressful. All worked out ok in the end.
So my dates for next year are 10th August to 1st September, keeping my fingers crosses!

 

[scoobydooby]

I've booked for next year but had to get my boss's permission and my coworkers agreement and I had to beg them....!

 

[Chilly]

Some companies have crazy leave policies, my Dads and SILs both do.

In my job I actually grant hundreds of people's leave, I would agree people now for next summer but not any further ahead unless it was like a wedding or something.

 

[flortlebap]

I am lucky to have a very sensible boss - we all sit down in September or October and pick the weeks for the following year that we want (Jan to December) and if there's any clashes we just work it out between us so everyone's happy.

The only downside is most people want school holidays so you don't necessarily get every single first choice but it's worked well for us so far.

 

[wayneg]

I have no problem, close the business (downside is I don't earn a wage and rent/rates still have to be paid) I just have to avoid Dec, Valentines week, & Mothers day week.
Karen can book as soon as she wants, whoever books first get their holidays. She booked next years ages ago. 21st Mar-6thApr & 6th-29th August

Our problem is fitting Matt in with his Uni life, while he has no plans for these dates now things crop up.

If you are there 10th August to 1st September it looks like we could overlap, Rough plans just now: 8-9 days Key West to Orlando roadtrip, 7-8 days around Orlando & 1 week cruise (22-29th)

 

[GirlDreamer]

We're allowed to book a year in advance, with the exclusion of december. For time off for december, they start taking in requests in october, and they've got a deadline of when they let us know on nov 14th this year. I don't like it as I'm trying to get time off to see my family home in Norway for christmas, and I know flights are expensive and hard enough to find for christmas as it is, I don't want to book the flights so late, as I worry they'll get really expensive or sold out.

 

[elaine amj]

Consider checking the change fees for the airline you want to book with. might be worth dealing with possibility of change fees considering you are most likely going to get the time off you want. Just have to consider the risk of change fees vs the risk in airfare going up.

 

[Lady Jane]

Normally we're allowed to book a year in advance, with the exception of the Christmas/New Year period (Unless it was a special occasion). The school holidays are always the hardest to get and fill up pretty quickly- I don't tend to travel then so it isn't a major problem for me.

I booked my 3 weeks off for Nov/Dec last Nov but because I crossed into the beginning of what is classed as the Christmas period it took some begging.

 

[Elise79]

We have no limit really and I am usually first to book. Normally do it at the 11mth mark once I book flights but it's easy for me as we are self authorising- just have to check with those that will cover for me.

DH has no problem either as he works in a department of 2!!

 

[tinkerpea]

Dh can put it on the planner now,but can not actually book in until next yr for next may,
We've gone ahead and booked,however I now just plan the trip but don't expect to go on it until a few wks before,I guess that's military life for you, it's cancelled 3 trips so far,but it pays the bills and dh loves his job.

 

[queendisney]

technically I am not allowed to book next years holiday until the new holiday year begins in April!! Well I have already booked it as I totally refuse to wait until then. Luckily because I go in November nobody else really wants this time of year off. I ran it past them when I booked next years holiday and then just booked it. I want to book my flights when the VA sale (if they do one again) in December/Jan..

Off to the Hilton tomorrow and fly on Monday morning on the later VA flight.....

 

[Tony Bush]

We have allocated holidays. On the plus side I can tell years in advance which allocated weeks I am going to have. Unfortunately this means we have to book the holiday around my leave rather than the other way round. We can swap but as other propple have said, its difficult to do that too far in advance

Tony

 

[Kath2003]

Mine are set, and totally non-negotiable so I guess I know a year or two ahead.

DH doesn't get as much holiday and usually doesn't book days off until instructed - I guess max 11 months in advance? I think we are more premature with booking his holidays than his workmates are because of the lack of flexibility within my role.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I can book as far ahead as I want and usually I can take it whenever I want. TBH I usually book the trip before I booked the annual leave as there is never a problem. I did however check before I booked for next year as I want 3 weeks off for our Far East trip

 

[dixonsontour]

We can book a year in advance (DH works in same office).

Biggest hassle is they usually restrict to 2 weeks maximum.

At the minute we are ok as no one else seems to want October as other schools get 1 week and DD gets 2.

I can see all sorts of fun when we try to book summer when DD gets secondary school age.

 

[DISWolves]

Now that i have retired....I just have to clear it with myself!
Before I finished, I did accrue 15 weeks long service holiday (in addition to the annual holiday allowance), that I could have used, since we could take that whenever we chose to.

 

[stephensmum]

I work in school so usually have the last 2 weeks of the summer holidays. I work part time have have already been given permission to take an extra week. Dh puts his in on the first day back after the Christmas close down, as it's first come, first served. Some don't like him doing it but our hols are already booked so we can't afford to wait.

 

[joolz1910]

I am a teacher which is great in one way as I have the school holidays off but on the flip-side there is no flexibility. DH works with a lot of women who have children so they all have to take it in turns to book school holidays off.