What would a Forumite do? Advice needed!
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What would a Forumite do? Advice needed!
We are just about to pull the trigger on our next trip. We know about when we can go and flights seem well priced but have not decided where we want to stay. Would you ever book flights and jeep and then wait until a month before to see what deal you can find?
I am not normally a gambler, but we are not picky and very flexible, so should we risk it and hope for the best, or book something as a sure thing?
I am not normally a gambler, but we are not picky and very flexible, so should we risk it and hope for the best, or book something as a sure thing?
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- Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
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We've never done it that way but, we are excessively picky about our villa. Since you are not, I suggest you book the flights and Jeep rental then, start watching for specials several weeks in advance. I do not believe that flight prices are going to come down much, in fact, I'm seeing a frightening trend upward. If you can get flights at a price you like, I say:
Book it, Deedee!!
Book it, Deedee!!
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
Missing St. John. As always.
Missing St. John. As always.
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Marcia you may be right on the airfares. I was reading something the other day about the way the airlines have hedged for fuel for the remainder of the year. There is no futures market for "jet fuel", so they do what I call "dirty hedges" with a commodity that is normally closely correlated in price, like diesel fuel or crude oil. Leaving out a lot details here, but it seems that the price of jet fuel is rising, while the value of their hedges deteriorates. So not only will they be paying more for the actual fuel they need, they will also have to be covering for losses on their hedges. A double whammy. I hope it's not as bad as what I was reading. And things do have a way of changing.
That's how we just booked - the airfare was good so I got it and then everything fell into place in time.
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We do this a lot -- in fact, I think we've booked our villa last-minute almost every time. There's often (but not always) a discount if you're a month or less from your trip date -- the villa owner is happy to fill the week, and I'm happy about the discount! Happiness all around.
It's also a fun way to try out a villa (or an area) that you may not have tried otherwise.
It's also a fun way to try out a villa (or an area) that you may not have tried otherwise.
- toes in the sand
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That is my normal process. Since the jeep rental and the villa are "fixed" pricing, your best chance at savings are on the airfare. Besides, the airfare is the one thing that you can be certain does not go into the local economy, so that is where I like to try to save the most.
1.Determine window of opportunity.
2.Watch airfares.
3.Pull trigger on airfare when the price is right.
4.Book Jeep
5.Villa search
1.Determine window of opportunity.
2.Watch airfares.
3.Pull trigger on airfare when the price is right.
4.Book Jeep
5.Villa search
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"