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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:
vanillaredbushtea · 17/12/2023 16:08

Is the baby joining you on the holiday?

Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:08

vanillaredbushtea · 17/12/2023 16:08

Is the baby joining you on the holiday?

Yeah! Can’t leave them at home. That’s if we’ve had one by then.

OP posts:
Maryamlouise · 17/12/2023 16:08

How does baby fit into the holiday plan?

Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:09

Maryamlouise · 17/12/2023 16:08

How does baby fit into the holiday plan?

Will be fine to come along if we’ve conceived in that time, it’s family friendly.

OP posts:
Ghostwritersinc · 17/12/2023 16:09

What happens if you are heavily pregnant at holiday time? Can you cancel or rearrange without much of a fee?

Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:11

Ghostwritersinc · 17/12/2023 16:09

What happens if you are heavily pregnant at holiday time? Can you cancel or rearrange without much of a fee?

Yeah just a £25 admin charge

OP posts:
Lordofmyflies · 17/12/2023 16:12

So is it abroad and are you flying there? You will need to consider immunisations for the baby. You will need to potentially book plane seats with a bassinet. You will need to pay air tax for the infant. You can add luggage and pram at a later date easily enough.
I think I would be tempted to pt the money into a savings account and book nearer the time OP. It sounds a headache when there's so many variables.

Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:15

Lordofmyflies · 17/12/2023 16:12

So is it abroad and are you flying there? You will need to consider immunisations for the baby. You will need to potentially book plane seats with a bassinet. You will need to pay air tax for the infant. You can add luggage and pram at a later date easily enough.
I think I would be tempted to pt the money into a savings account and book nearer the time OP. It sounds a headache when there's so many variables.

I’ve researched and the airline say it’s a phone call to add them on. Short haul so no bassinet needed.

OP posts:
roses2 · 17/12/2023 16:20

Is there an option to pay a deposit then the full balance closer to the time and you only forfeit the deposit if you need to back out?

Then put aside the monthly amount into a 4% savings account that you don't touch to save the balance?

GreatGateauxsby · 17/12/2023 16:23

I think booking 18m out is nuts, too many things can happen so I don't like it personally...

That said If you can afford to pay the 250 pm throughout mat leave crack on...

Original poster
annualtrip · 17/12/2023 16:26

GreatGateauxsby · 17/12/2023 16:23

I think booking 18m out is nuts, too many things can happen so I don't like it personally...

That said If you can afford to pay the 250 pm throughout mat leave crack on...

It’s only the spring of next year so a year and a bit out.

OP posts:
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.

Bettyscakes · 17/12/2023 16:30

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

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:
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:
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.

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?

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:
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.

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.

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 18:18

And you are vulnerable should the operator fold.

Torganer · 17/12/2023 18:20

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

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

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.