When to Book Flights vs Hotel

[Raidra]

We're hoping to pay for a trip to Disney using our tax refund, which we always file as soon as we get our W2s. We'd like to go the first week in March, but I'm worried that waiting until we have our refund will be too late.

If we book the flights, our card gets charged immediately, right? Is that different if we call to book vs booking online?

What about the hotel? Do I just pay a deposit when I book our stay, or do I have to pay the whole amount?

If I had to book the flights or the hotel first, with a few weeks in between booking the next, which should I book first?

We don't use credit cards, just our Visa debit card.. so I can't just put it on a CC.

FWIW, we're hoping to stay at POR (with the trundle) from 3/1-3/9. We have six people flying (one's an infant, but we'll buy a seat for him).

Thanks!

 

[mckinley]

Yes your card gets charged as soon as you book a flight by calling or online

When booking a room only you only pay a deposit at the time of booking & the rest when you check in

I personally make our resort reservation first, then do our flight bookings. But with that being said i always check the prices of the flights before hand so i have an idea about the prices

I wouldnt wait to long to get the aifare it could be much higher later on

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

When booking a room only you only pay a deposit at the time of booking & the rest when you check in

Normally, you don't pay a hotel a deposit at all, although you do give a credit card to hold the room. The exceptions would be a rate which must be prepaid, hotel rooms purchased in bulk for a special event, etc. You pay the entire bill when you check out.

Be warned paying for a hotel with a debit card usually results in your debit card having a very large charge placed against it which may result in funds not being
available during your trip.

I would book the flight first, just so you had firm dates to use for the hotel booking. Remember it will cost you nothing to change the hotel dates and a great deal to change flight dates (except for SWA; no change fee).