Booking flights and accommodations are critical procedures in planning trips. However, a majority of people are never sure of whether to book a flight or hotel first. Generally, most travel experts recommend that you should book flights before hotels. But, certain factors may affect the decision including timing, travel regulations and funding for the trip. The following are some of the key elements that will determine whether you should book a flight or hotel first.
The cost of air tickets and hotel accommodations often fluctuate depending on the travel destinations and seasons. That means you should know the best times to book flights and hotels. According to the latest travel reports, the best time to book flights should be about 70 days before the travel date.
You can either book earlier or a little later but, just do not wait until three weeks of departure since airfares often skyrocket at such times. Although airfares can be costly during those periods, hotels usually offer relatively cheaper deals. Thus, it is important to plan your trips around the times for booking flights.
For hotels, the best time to book is one month before departure. Based on the above guidelines, it means you should first book flights then; wait for a little more time to book hotels. However, there are a few things to consider. For instance, if you are planning for a vacation, it is advisable to book hotels much earlier to avoid the last-minute rush.
On the other hand, you should also book accommodations as soon as possible in case there is a major event or gatherings scheduled to take place near the hotel during your visit. Besides, some hotels provide standard rates for customers that book months in advance. If that is the case, you should never wait to book one month to departure. Other hotels also offer last-minute deals but, those are only recommended if you are sure that the accommodation will not be sold out before your trip.
It is advisable to book flights first because they have readily available deals and can also be easily modified if the airfares are non-refundable. However, you should consider booking a hotel first if the fees are refundable.
