Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To book this holiday?

37 replies

annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:07

Hoping to book a holiday abroad for 2025. I think the prices will only continue to rise as time goes on, so booking now might be cheapest (though correct me if I’m wrong).

It’s £250 per month direct debit for the next 14 months.

Bear in mind DH and I usually have about £1600 left after bills: this is for discretionary spending and saving.

We are also currently TTC so could be continuing to pay the holiday off when I am on reduced income through maternity - if we conceive this month that might be from next September through to February when the last payment is due. My maternity package combined with DHs wage will still leave us with £1200 a month approx. I don’t underestimate how much babies cost!

I have never paid a holiday off in instalments before, always in one amount. It is interest free though and just a payment option that the travel provider lets you do. Am I crazy to book it? It’s one of those things where if we put it off, we just won’t do it.

YABU - your bills are high and you don’t have much left over, don’t be stupid
YANBU - just book it that’s totally doable

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 17/12/2023 22:02

I understand your reasoning for trying to get the holiday at today's prices in the expectation that the price will go up, but there seem to be too many variables around when/if you get pregnant and the age of your possible baby . I don't know what your planned holiday is, but eg if you are planning AI now, it maybe that self catering suits better if you have a young child as you would have your own space when they are sleeping rather than just a room etc

Probably better to set yourselves up a regular savings account (with interest) for that £250 a month .

Bunnycat101 · 17/12/2023 20:08

I am normally all up for advance booking. Have a holiday this May that I booked 18 months ago and have to pay it off in March. However, potential pregnancy does possibly put a bit of a spanner in the works especially as your costs would likely increase/income reduce. If you’re absolutely sure you could re-arrange then I’d go for it but I’d want to check and double check the small print.

startquitting · 17/12/2023 19:27

MRSMTO · 17/12/2023 18:37

3k isn't exactly mega-bucks for a nice holiday these days.

Show quote history

It definitely isn’t. It’s sadly not even enough for flights and a decent hotel.

Thatswhy11 · 17/12/2023 19:17

I often book inadvance as I'm a single parent paying 2 fares. However trying for a baby and doing this is crazy you could feel poorly or very tired. Why don't you just save for 1 year? And then look at booking some where?

meganorks · 17/12/2023 19:15

If you are TTC then, no I wouldn't. You have no idea if you will have a baby or be pregnant and there are so many ways your plans could end up not going the way you want. Just save the money instead in a holiday fund and decide nearer the time

Roselilly36 · 17/12/2023 19:08

If you are TTC I wouldn’t bother booking a holiday so far in advance tbh. So much could change. I would be inclined to wait and see how I felt later on. Good luck OP.

miniegg3 · 17/12/2023 19:07

MRSMTO · 17/12/2023 18:37

3k isn't exactly mega-bucks for a nice holiday these days.

Show quote history

Definitely isn't!

LIZS · 17/12/2023 18:59

Yes £3.5k for a short haul holiday for two does seem a lot.

BarbaraofSeville · 17/12/2023 18:47

Well we normally pay less than half that for a perfectly nice holiday so £3k would have to be pretty special.

jemenfous37 · 17/12/2023 18:43

For 2 people?

MRSMTO · 17/12/2023 18:37

jemenfous37 · 17/12/2023 18:31

£3k for a holiday?? Where are you going? Mars?

3k isn't exactly mega-bucks for a nice holiday these days.

jemenfous37 · 17/12/2023 18:31

£3k for a holiday?? Where are you going? Mars?

HermioneWeasley · 17/12/2023 18:25

Put £250 a month in a holiday fund and see what happens. You can get some good deals last minute outside of school holidays.

vanillaredbushtea · 17/12/2023 18:23

Goinoutalone · 17/12/2023 17:14

@annualtrip why are you actually asking? Because you seem to have an answer for everything. Do it if you want to! It’s not anyone else’s job to try to convince you not to.

Yeah if you want to do it just do it

Torganer · 17/12/2023 18:20

Why don’t you just save the £250 a month and decide later?

LIZS · 17/12/2023 18:18

And you are vulnerable should the operator fold.

BarbaraofSeville · 17/12/2023 17:33

Bear in mind that many 'low deposit pay in instalments' deals often have small print that has cancellation terms more punitive than the payment schedule.

Loads of people have found that they still owe money if they cancel the holiday six months out, because they've paid 20%, but the cost to cancel is 50%.

LIZS · 17/12/2023 17:16

Assume it is a package holiday but it is rather in advance as flight schedules and prices are not determined that far ahead. Very unusual to be so flexible, most are due full balance 10 weeks ahead and cannot cancel without penalty even further ahead.

Goinoutalone · 17/12/2023 17:14

@annualtrip why are you actually asking? Because you seem to have an answer for everything. Do it if you want to! It’s not anyone else’s job to try to convince you not to.

Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 17:10

ActDottie · 17/12/2023 16:37

I probably wouldn’t personally. You’ll probably end up not going if you get pregnant and are either too pregnant to go or baby will be too young to make it practical to go.

We can get a refund till 30 days before.

OP posts:
vanillaredbushtea · 17/12/2023 16:40

I would also consider what would happen if you couldn't go. Would you be reliant on a refund?

ActDottie · 17/12/2023 16:37

I probably wouldn’t personally. You’ll probably end up not going if you get pregnant and are either too pregnant to go or baby will be too young to make it practical to go.

Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:33

WhatsitWiggle · 17/12/2023 16:29

Prices will absolutely increase between now and 2025 - any holiday on sale now for summer 2025 in the Med is based on an estimated increase from the hotel, and my experience as a hotel contracts manager is that the actual rates are rarely lower than the estimates.

Check what happens if you cancel before the final balance date - it should be that you lose your deposit but get back everything else you've paid.

If you need to amend the holiday due to being heavily pregnant, do you have to amend to the same season or could you transfer to summer 2026? Because a switch of holiday a few months beforehand is likely to be at a higher price not just the admin fee.

Personally, I'd pay the deposit but save the £250 in a regular saver type account - the ones that give a decent interest because you're putting an amount in every month. You'll be saving towards your holiday and earning interest to cover the admin fees too.

Thank you this is good advice. Fairly sure you can port it to the next season which is useful.

OP posts:
Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:32

Bettyscakes · 17/12/2023 16:30

Remember to factor in baby needing a passport and waiting times for this.

If we’re successful in the next 3 months they’d be 6-8 months ish so should be fine. We conceived immediately previously so hoping it won’t take too long, on cycle 2.

OP posts:
Bettyscakes · 17/12/2023 16:30

Remember to factor in baby needing a passport and waiting times for this.