When to book?

[AhBiscuits]

Looking at summer holidays.

Kids will be 7 and 9. We've always done UK seaside, self catering type holidays and enjoyed them. I want to do something different next year. I have received an inheritance from my lovely dad and want to spend some of it doing something a bit more endulgent, and that is more of a break for me after an upsetting year.
I've found some great options in Greece. DH baulked a bit at the cost but I want to spend the money, and really it's my dad who is paying. I'm getting itchy fingers to just get it locked in. Is there any advantage in waiting? Will costs come down?

I would book as early as possible for next summer to get the best prices, particularly if you want to get free child places. There is really no advantage in waiting, unless you're prepared to wait until a week or two before and see if you can snap up a last minute deal. If you want certain flights on certain days and a certain hotel and room type though, book it asap.

Earlier the better if you want to choose your hotel and flight times. Travel companies operate dynamic pricing and prices most definitely go up the nearer you get to departure.

I think looking for last minute deals can be ok if you don't have kids to consider...but if you do I think it's generally better to book early...as you'll be having to be more fussy about room type and flight times etc.

Earlier the better. Enjoy your holiday!

I'm going to go against the grain and say don't book right now. You either book the second they get released (which you have already missed for next summer) or wait until the January sales. Unless of course you have very particular search requirements or strict dates that will limit your options.

As an example, I just checked the same holiday we had this year for next summer and it's currently £1200 more than we paid in January this year. Of course prices tend to go up a bit each year, but not by that much! I'll check again around Black Friday and if the price goes down by at least £500 I might be tempted to book then, but otherwise I'll be waiting until January.

Whenever you book, remember to get travel insurance too and if you have one, buy it on a credit card for extra protection.

I was very taken by a particular hotel and the flight times worked for us and there was only a few of the fancy family suites left so I've booked. I'll be keeping an eye on prices out of interest. The price has gone up by £500 since I booked at lunchtime, probably as a result of me booking!

Excellent. I think if you have a particular hotel in mind and need to go in the school holidays it's best to book early.

I'm sure that whenever you want to go, you will always find something but you'll likely have to be flexible about where you go and while you might drop on a bargain, there's also a risk that the best you can hope for is something that's not quite what you'd have chosen with a minimal saving compared with booking at your preferred place well in advance.

Sorry to hear about your dad but you don't have to justify going on holiday. It's a really odd thing I see on here, that no-one seems to be able to talk about going on holiday without a 'reason' why they deserve it.

Make sure you've got privacy search on/incognito searching

I don't agree prices go up. We always book a week or so before we go as I don't like booking ages in advance in case I change my mind about where to go etc. Never paid over the odds or has problems getting flights or accommodation.

Thank you.

I think I'm trying to justify it to myself really because deep down I feel guilty about spending money I received because he died on a holiday, like it's disrespectful in some way. I know that he would have been happy that he was able to bring his grandchildren joy from beyond the grave and I need to get over it.