Only just to have realised that you can book...

[YonilyDevotedToYou]

...book hotels waaaaaay in advance through booking.com and you don't have to pay until you stay?

This has revolutionised my attitude to booking holidays! Have just booked a lovely suite in a hotel in Venice for 4 nights in April for me and DP- it's £540 but we now have ages to save up and return flights at that time are only £70 each now, so we now have a lovely mini-break to look forward to and I have only had to pay £140 upfront!

Did everyone else realise this already? Am I alone in feeling the sense of revelation?!

Bump.. Please come and share my sense of wonder!

I'm afraid I did know this already - sorry :o.

But to me that's a bad thing - I'd rather save up, then book and pay straight away. I hate that "I'm going to have to find £X in X months" feeling.

I've used booking.com loads over the last few years. It's great for booking smaller independent hotels in other countries. We often tour around by car and it's great for finding places on route.

For next summer holiday, so far, I've booked 2 hotels. For one the pay up front offer was so good, I did that. The other was only £5 difference so didn't bother and decided to just pay when we arrive.

Did you book your flights on another site OP?? I didn't know this either so thank you!

Yes I booked the flights after I had found the hotel using sky scanner.
I know what you mean about saving and paying upfront but for me, I like to know in advance what I am aiming for. Now that I know I will need to pay £540 in April, I have already planned to save £150 per month so that I can pay that and have some spending money ready.
I am so excited!! ;)

Um it's always been the case that you could book hotels (directly)in advance, guarantee with a credit card then pay on check out.
A very recent development is booking online and having the option to pay in advance which is sometimes buy nit always cheaper !

But not always

Um...not all of us HAVE a credit card though *Christabelle"

We've used this facility lots of times before, it's really handy for when you are planning group activities that involve a night away from home and one person does the booking without having to pay for everyone.

You don't always have to do it on a credit card, some places will allow you to book just with a visa debit that won't be charged, and you can cancel the booking without charge if you need to.

Yes, I have used a visa debit card- I do have a credit card but am not using it any more and paying it off.
Yes, I know I should do this before booking a holiday... :(