i think we've left it too late!

[CAROLINE4]

im so not used to being restricted by the school holidays and have majorly underestimated the impact this would have on our ability to go to Florida!

it really looks like we might have to book for next year rather than going this August!

for our family of 6 i cannot even get indirect for less than £890 PP AND THATS AN ABSOLUTE FORTUNE!!!
Why oh why didn't i put the flights at christmas on the credit card when they were £450!!

can anyone tell me there is hope of getting flights at £500 ish for last two weeks in August??

 

[wayneg]

At £450 in August I would have seriously looked at booking any way possible but too late for that.
What is the latest date you can return? I suspect 3rd Sept is too late, £559 for 2 wks returning 3rd.
I wouldn't panic yet, I am still looking for early August, still confident something will turn up, its only Feb, 6 months away. Not sure about £500 but you should get better than the offers around now.

 

[CAROLINE4]

At £450 in August I would have seriously looked at booking any way possible but too late for that.
What is the latest date you can return? I suspect 3rd Sept is too late, £559 for 2 wks returning 3rd.
I wouldn't panic yet, I am still looking for early August, still confident something will turn up, its only Feb, 6 months away. Not sure about £500 but you should get better than the offers around now.

Thanks Wayne im truely kicking myself!
well the 3rd is my inset day before the children return on the 4th so officially no to the 3rd but im willing to ask if thats the only way we can keep the cost down. im honestly at this point looking at getting the money together and hoping for flights to get last minute. Would you get Villa and car hire sorted before flights?
My sister said no way but not sure if i would get a villa if i waited until last minute in August!

 

[Lizzi]

I think what you have to bare in mind is right now is PRIME booking time for summer hols, so of course the prices are going to be high. There is a chance the prices will go down closer to the date, but a lot would also depend on availability.

Get good travel insurance that would cover you if you decide to cancel going altogether (if you can!) then book your villa. Car hire I'd be tempted to leave a bit longer as well - there will always be cars available and you might get a good deal (would be a good idea to price up now though, so you know what to budget for, or price-check against!)

For your villa - would you be looking at 3/4 bed villa or are you choosy with regards to location?

 

[Lisa x]

don't do it.........

You will get a car last minute no problem and you are not overly fussy on villa location and things, there are tons of them, you will get one last minute too, I'm pretty certain you would!


Keep your money in the bank until you have secured your flights! That's my advice!

 

[CAROLINE4]

don't do it.........

You will get a car last minute no problem and you are not overly fussy on villa location and things, there are tons of them, you will get one last minute too, I'm pretty certain you would!

Keep your money in the bank until you have secured your flights! That's my advice!

Thanks little sis!! Xx

No I'm not fused on villa location we have stayed in solana and others along that drive x

 

[zippy99]

We are going in Late August and I notice that there has been a recent hike in prices - however we booked last year in April for the same dates in August and paid £480pp.

I remember looking at flights between late march and our actual booking time and there were LOADS of options indirect under £500. I even recall seeing a US Airways flight for £462 that were perfect as they went from LGW that went up overnight to £729 - I started to panic that all flights would increase so borrowed some money from my Nan to book flights ASAP. We were happy with the £480 we paid - although 3 weeks later those US Airways flights did come down again (had I not borrowed money I would have had to wait 3 weeks and been able to get these!)

If you have the money ready - just keep looking the flight prices go up and down all the time - some weeks Air Canada are the cheapest - the next it is Delta - then another time it is United.

I am not too worried at the moment and in the same boat (suppose my only consolation is that I did not have the money any sooner)


Fingers crossed! We'll get there!!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Where is everyone looking? In the last 4 years I have NEVER EVER seen flights for less than £700 in 6 week hols no matter what time of year I look and I thought I knew all the sites there are!

 

[Magic Megadegs]

Where is everyone looking? In the last 4 years I have NEVER EVER seen flights for less than £700 in 6 week hols no matter what time of year I look and I thought I knew all the sites there are!

There was a 2 week window (ish) in October / November when indirect flights ex Manchester etc were less than £500. People used Orbitz.com and Kayak and even airlines direct at the time.

For us, the journey time for our dates was a minimum of 19 hours which added to our Channel Island leg was too much. Including the Channel Island leg our saving would have been only around £50 which given it would have eaten another whole day of our holiday and a whole lot of stress with an eight and a five year old was not worth it for us.

Others bagged a real bargain though which was fantastic! Wayne had a couple of other US sites as well as Orbitz that I was unfamiliar with so might be able to repost those x

 

[Magic Megadegs]

The full thread for August Stitche's Greatest Fan can be found if you search for the thread August Flights Cheap x

 

[wayneg]

Where is everyone looking? In the last 4 years I have NEVER EVER seen flights for less than £700 in 6 week hols no matter what time of year I look and I thought I knew all the sites there are!

Almost every year at some point indirect flights drop below £500 but you have to check every day from 11 months out (or watch the forums every day)
This was the thread for this August when I posted £446 flights http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3002599

There were also some direct from London at £561 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2977123

More last year (Aug 2012) at £487 indirect http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2899358

 

[meggiebeth]

We were not keen to fly indirect for our August 2011 holiday, and the flights to Orlando were coming up at £700+pp. we got flights for £650pp approx. flying into Miami, which was a compromise we were happy to make.

An indirect flight for £700pp? I think that is a rip off, and I wouldn't book that. I think if you keep an eye on the prices every day, then a better price will likely come up. Have a look at flights into Miami or Tampa too as they may be a little cheaper.

Thanks Wayne im truely kicking myself!
well the 3rd is my inset day before the children return on the 4th so officially no to the 3rd but im willing to ask if thats the only way we can keep the cost down. im honestly at this point looking at getting the money together and hoping for flights to get last minute. Would you get Villa and car hire sorted before flights?
My sister said no way but not sure if i would get a villa if i waited until last minute in August!

My advice would be to wait until you have the flights booked before doing anything else. You may find a cheap day to fly in a few weeks or months and if you are already booked for another date in a villa, then you are stuck. There are so many villas that you can leave it till the last minute and still have a good choice.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

It would depend how indirect...I have a 4 year old and a boisterous 10 month old....more than one change and 15 or so hours travelling is not for us!

 

[Portugal1000]

I am still checking for family, best indirect £700 but via Germany. Virgin £1501,economy, I thought I had selected Upper Class by mistake I paid £850 Premium economy both ways on Virgin last year on 27th July.
Really hoping indirect goes below £600. We have paid £420 on Delta for 22nd July but have then paid £300 for all 3 of us to upgrade to Economy comfort both way so still just a little over £500 each.