Planning a holiday is an important process that needs extra caution and time. First, you need to check what options you have. Secondly, choose the favorite destination and plan the routes. Once you decide what your budget is, solve all the technical issues and are ready to start daydreaming about how you will be spending time on your vacation, it’s really time to solve the booking problem.
The plane tickets or hotel rooms won’t go anywhere. There’s always an option, but you need to start thinking about such details beforehand. At least a few months ahead for some good reasons.
Imagine the situation. You are pumped because your work scheduled a vacation for you in three months. You already know where you are going to go and what you are going to wear. You already dream about having a soft drink at the beach or skiing with your friends. You think you have plenty of time to get organized, buy flight tickets and book the hotel. But you might find yourself in a troubling situation after a few months of daydreaming and thinking that the vacation is far enough to relax.
You don’t want to miss the flight because the tickets are all sold out and book an expensive substitute or take extra routes. You don’t want to scramble all around the internet in search of an available option in hotels because you forgot to take some time to book a room. A vacation should be relaxing, well-planned and shouldn’t give you stress.
If you are still wondering when is the best time to buy airline tickets or why you should book them early, here’s what we have to say about it:
1. You will save money and time
Flights are usually very cheap several months ahead. It’s only logical to put a high price on something so demanded on a day before the flight. By buying the flight ticket several months before, you will be able to save several hundreds of dollars.
If you postpone the booking of flight, you might want to take an extra day off for researching the best deals, because finding best options the day before the flight is impossible.
For example, an SAA flight works like this. If you are planning to take a vacation in South Africa, the options are clear. You can buy the ticket beforehand and save money and time or panic when everything’s booked, and you have to pay thousands of dollars to get to your dream destination.
2. You will be able to choose
Every car ride starts with the fight about who’s sitting next to the window. Imagine how sad it is to sit in the middle of the airplane while traveling around the globe above the clouds. You would want to have the best seats and best rooms.
That’s why you must start planning this a few months before the flight. Take your time to see the available options. At that moment, everything’s available, so you are the one with the upper hand. You can take a seat next to the window or arrange seats so that you and your friends can sit together.
3. There won’t be as much chaos before the departure
How many times have you seen people running around the airport, checking if everything is intact and angering themselves about not planning this beforehand? That is the typical chaos that occurs before every flight.
You might want to get rid of the chaos and start your vacation before the flight. And the only way to do it is to sit down, relax, and start booking way ahead.
4. You could get a more flexible option for the payment
Some flights need instant payment and in full size. But there are other types of flights, like package flights or travel tours that can allow you to pay gradually, as you get closer to the flight.
It works kind of like a loan, but you have to invest some money at the moment of the purchase to continue paying further. It allows you to relax and pay in small amounts from your monthly or weekly salary, instead of trying to gather the amount at the same time.
5. You will have more time to plan the rest of your trip
If you are visiting the country for the first time, you might need to plan your stay thoroughly. Imagine visiting a place that you know nothing of. You don’t know where to go, eat or spend evenings. Let’s forget about spending the time. You wouldn’t even know how to get to your hotel from the airport without a taxi.
What you need is to take some time for this research. Learn more about the arrival airport and the hotel you are staying at. See what local places you can visit to fill your empty stomach after a long flight. See if you can take a stroll to your hotel from the airport. All this you can find out from your house by planning the flight beforehand.
6. You will be able to book the best hotel rooms
If you know when you are flying, you can be 100% about the hotel booking. Booking an early flight can get you at the desired destination in a more comfortable way. Imagine having the place to stay in a foreign country without the hassle of the last-minute booking.
A lot of people dream about living next to the national safari parks in South Africa once they visit the place. Unfortunately, late booking can make you lose your dream hotel. In this case, you might even have to stay at some cheap substitute for a luxurious hotel.
Keep in mind that the environment is important. Even though you are visiting your dream place, it can turn into a nightmare because of the bad hotel or hostel. Don’t let your organizational skills ruin your perfect vacation and leave a bad taste about the country.
We think you might be convinced that you need to book as early as possible. You will be able to achieve the greatest satisfaction from your vacation to your next favorite destination.