Time to Rethink that Holiday Buying Strategy. Starting Now.
By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large
September 17, 2003
Ready. Set. Go! Whether you're thinking ahead, looking ahead, or simply buying ahead, this year, more than ever, there's no time to waste. Why? Simple. There are fewer planes in the sky than last year, and they're flying with more seats sold. Fewer planes means fewer available seats. If everyone waits until the last-minute, you may get left behind in the rush.
As the saying goes, you can get anything--for a price. Meaning, there's a good chance that waiting won't actually leave you without a seat altogether, but it's likely to mean the airline will be able to set a higher price. The good news is, the lagging airline industry is gaining more control of its pricing, and should be able to stay afloat. The bad news is, those rock-bottom prices we've enjoyed for the past few years are over--at least in markets where there isn't much competition. Domestic airfares are slowly inching up. This fall they're about eight percent higher than the same time last year.
That doesn't mean deals aren't out there, but it does mean they may not be as plentiful. In the past, you may have gotten lucky with playing the waiting game, and buying at the last minute; it may not work so well for you this year. That strategy tends to be a winner when there's an abundance of availability, but this year, the landscape is looking rather different.
Savvy consumers are looking and booking ahead. But industry trends show that most consumers haven't purchased holiday tickets yet, and like the rest of the year, people are waiting longer before purchasing. This is not just with airfare, but with hotels and rental cars too. I'd start paying more attention to my holiday plans now.
Don't pass up a decent bargain thinking something better will come along tomorrow--you may find yourself without a fair fare at all.
Here are a few holiday planning tips to keep in mind:
- Sign up for Farewatcher to watch for fare sales, and get an e-mail notification when a fare to your desired destination drops. Take the deal when you see it--in other words, know your price and nab it.
- Reserve your holiday hotel room in advance of seasonal rate increases, which may apply closer to the end of the year. All you need to do is know what the change/cancellation policy is, should you wish to alter it. Some of the very low-price deals have less flexibility.
- Reserve your rental car in advance to be sure the car you want is ready and waiting. There is often no fee for canceling up to 24 hours in advance, but be sure to check the policy at the time you make your reservation.
If you're traveling with kids, request child seats and/or beds in advance, to make sure they are available upon arrival.
With the holidays just around the corner and your travel plans in the works, you may want to start making your holiday gift list. Speaking of strategies, how about gifts for you? There is still plenty of time to drop hints about the gift that would make your holiday season outstanding.
If you have a question or topic you would like me to cover in a future column, please e-mail Amy Ziff at askamy@travelocity.com And remember to look here for your topic each week!
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