When do you pay for your vacations?

[nrpofp]

Do you pay when you book? At the 45 day mark, or do you make installments untill its paid off. I never book a package vacation of any kind until I have the cash saved up. Then I usually pay in full even if its 4 or 5 months out. I just like to get it over with and start saving for the next big expenditure. I always figure if I have to cancel its going to be because of a last minute emergency. Whether I paid it off one month ahead or 4 months ahead isn't realy going to make a difference, and more than likely I would just transfer the money to another trip. I am sure I am in the minority. I was just curious as to what others do.

 

[disneywatcher]

I try to put down a 300 dollar deposit and then make payments.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I pay the deposit at booking and pay the balance about a week before the due date.

 

[princessnoelly]

I'm like you, OP. We pay in full at the time we book. I'd rather have it all done and not have to worry about what date to pay what amount.

I also believe that if I can't pay for it at the time I want it (meaning cash in hand) then I shouldn't get it. Don't get me wrong- I charge for my miles but payoff each month.

 

[bear_mom]

I pay it off at about 50 days, but we always have the cash on hand to pay for the trip before I book it. My reasoning is I book sometimes up to 9 months out and I'd rather the money be in my high interest account for that time earning interest (the more money in the account, the higher the interest paid). I realize that this may only be a small amount of money, but it is something......

Emily

 

[nrpofp]

I pay it off at about 50 days, but we always have the cash on hand to pay for the trip before I book it. My reasoning is I book sometimes up to 9 months out and I'd rather the money be in my high interest account for that time earning interest (the more money in the account, the higher the interest paid). I realize that this may only be a small amount of money, but it is something......

Emily

Where did you find a high interest savings account? I would love to have one. I have made more interest using my cc with 2% cash back than I have letting it sit for 6 months.

 

[SnowWhite33]

We usually pay the deposit and then put the rest in savings and pay off the Friday before the due date.

We are a cash only family if something major comes up I don't want to wait the 7-10 days for Disney to get my money back to me.

 

[Marionnette]

I pay the deposit at booking and pay the balance about a week before the due date.

^This.

I don't like to pay too soon before the 45 day mark because you never know if you'll need to cancel. I'd rather have the money in my bank account than worry about when those much-needed funds are going to be returned to me.

 

[Gigi22]

Our vacations usually consist of several components. We pay for the various components at different times, to manage the bill payments. It usually goes something like this: first payment on the hotel/cruise portion of the trip; airfare; excursions; final payment on the hotel/cruise; secondary transportation. We have other expenses, such as annual travel insurance, that we pay as they arise.

 

[bear_mom]

Where did you find a high interest savings account? I would love to have one. I have made more interest using my cc with 2% cash back than I have letting it sit for 6 months.

Through our credit union.

Emily

 

[shortbun]

I don't book a vacation I couldn't pay for right then but I pay the deposit, let my money work for me and pay at the deadline. Why let them have your money any earlier than they require it?

 

[mombrontrent]

I don't book a vacation I couldn't pay for right then but I pay the deposit, let my money work for me and pay at the deadline. Why let them have your money any earlier than they require it?

Yes, I was just going to post exactly this.

 

[dd50]

I don't book a vacation I couldn't pay for right then but I pay the deposit, let my money work for me and pay at the deadline. Why let them have your money any earlier than they require it?

That's what I do. I already think that 45 days (for package) before the trip is a little long.

 

[bumbershoot]

Where did you find a high interest savings account? I would love to have one. I have made more interest using my cc with 2% cash back than I have letting it sit for 6 months.

I have a credit union account that can earn as high as 6%.

But you can do both...pay the deposit with the CC (earn your 2% cash back on it), then keep the money in your account and earn whatever interest on it, then at the last minute pay it with the CC (earning the 2% cash back on that charge, which results in a total of the same cost as though you paid it all up front)...best of both worlds!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Exactly how I operate. I don't 'worry' about paying balances as they come due. I set reminders and keep my money working as long as I can.

I don't book a vacation I couldn't pay for right then but I pay the deposit, let my money work for me and pay at the deadline. Why let them have your money any earlier than they require it?

 

[brinneydee]

I like to pay it all up front if I can. I'd rather pay it all at one time to know it's paid for than to have to worry about whether or not I made a payment on time. Can you even do that with Disney vacations?

 

[DawnM]

We don't stay on property, but I buy weeks of condos in advance (have to pay immediately), then have cash for park passes, and then pay for gas during the trip as we go.

So, I guess we kind of pay as we go, but it isn't payments.

Dawn

 

[allonte]

I pay it in installments for the most part. I pay the deposit and then pay a chunk and then pay it off. I have a vacation club account through my credit union (not high interest though) so I pay toward it every month.

 

[marie1203]

It depends. We make sure we have enough for the vacations. Pay it with our Disney Visa and take advantage of the 6 moths no interest.

 

[rubato]

I like to pay for everything right away on the CC and get the cashback bonus, then pay it off at the end of the month.

But, when it comes to an expensive vacation like WDW, I put the deposit down, leave my money in a CD or another investment, and take it out when the rest is due. Putting it all on the CC at the various times.