View Full Version : Cutting it close
Due to funds being very very tight it's looking like we may not be able to get to Florida this year:(
Our only option is to leave it late, very very late maybe booking flights only a few days before actually flying, which will mean doing the same with villa and car.
As villa owners and frequent visitors, what do you reckon our chances would be of renting a villa and hiring a car with only a few days notice.
Cheers
Mick-H
florida4sun
07-06-2007, 18:43
Car should not be a problem, villa may be a problem and definately so in the summer months. Flights usually coist more the later you leave it.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mick-H
Due to funds being very very tight it's looking like we may not be able to get to Florida this year:(
Our only option is to leave it late, very very late maybe booking flights only a few days before actually flying, which will mean doing the same with villa and car.
As villa owners and frequent visitors, what do you reckon our chances would be of renting a villa and hiring a car with only a few days notice.
Cheers
Mick-H
[/quote]
CERICROWLEY
07-06-2007, 18:49
Mick
I have done myself both well in advance and very last minute, but the last minute for me was if we'd didn't go it didn't matter, but I do have somewhere to stay.
It again will totally depend on when you are looking at flying. I would definitely set some sort of day in place, and then you may have some leeway either side.
Summer holidays will be very dodgy, as most homes tend to be booked up already by the British, as they tend to plan holidays a long way in advance, with work time restraints etc.
I left booking my summer flights last year til fairly late and it did not work out any cheaper and the days I wanted to go were already booked. Although out of season I have booked 24 hours before flying and got a really good deal.
When do you what to go?
I would say if you don't know when you are going until you are actually going, take the chance. It may mean you are not able to get the villa you wanted as a first choice but there are numerous great villas on the OV websites.
steph_goodrum
07-06-2007, 19:06
Mick as you say if it's your only option because of funds then that is the way to play it. Better to leave it late and risk not finding somewhere which would be your first choice, but I'm sure you would find a place suitable, than to book somewhere and find you either have to cancel (in which case you'd risk losing deposits etc anyway).
Depending on the size of your party summer flights may be a problem unless you can find a charter which has spaces late but if its outside the school holidays you would be unlucky not to find any.
We've booked 2 weeks off work, end of July begining of August and we will be going away somewhere, Florida is our first choice, been 5 times now and don't really fancy anywhere else, if needs must though any holiday is better than none.
chrizzy100
07-06-2007, 19:35
I've found villa's on this site for friends who give me only a weeks notice...they do not get the community they wanted...but the villa was outstanding...and they and their friends book it a lot now...
ccarcher
07-06-2007, 20:24
check the flight and hotel / car deals available on Expedia
currently on expedia 22nd July - 5th August around £650 a person XL airways or continental
Virgin had some good deals from Manchester a week or so ago
Colin, Mick has already said that he wants to book a villa not a hotel[msnwink]
Karen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ccarcher
check the flight and hotel / car deals available on Expedia
currently on expedia 22nd July - 5th August around £650 a person XL airways or continental
Virgin had some good deals from Manchester a week or so ago
[/quote]
ncmurray
08-06-2007, 13:50
Hi Mick,
You may find it difficult to get flights for the last week in July/early August. As everyone has already said, cheap flights are difficult to find at peak time, ie Christmas, Easter, school half term, and July/August. However, all other times can have great deals at late notice. I have just read of someone getting a flight to Florida for £169 for a week in June, but I don't know who she booked with. I don't know what your situation is with children in school, etc., but if you could delay your holiday until the middle of September, you would have a great chance of getting a deal.
If you are tied to July/August, you could look at the package deals that include hotel and/or car. You don't have to stay in the hotel if you don't want to, or take the car, for that matter. Having the use of a hotel room for a couple of nights may also make it easier to get a villa, as you can be flexible with your dates for a villa rental. As already said, most villas have rentals for the summer months, but you will be able to find a lovely villa that meets your needs, even at short notice.
As others have said, it is going to be the flights that are the problem. When you want to go really is peak time. We have to go at that time due to school holidays, and book them as soon as they are released.
Even if you could delay until towards the end of August you may have more luck.
mfairhurst
08-06-2007, 14:39
iT is swings and round about with flights ,As the flight companys put their deals out 6 months in advance .
The villa is another ball game if you want the villa you see on all sites on here book early as we all get repeat booking at peak times .
We have someone booked for next year and he has booked our villa and just keeps going on line every day ,It may be worth doing that .
Car hire can be booked a week before .
Nothing is cut and dry so you have to take a little risk sometimes .
At least you know these villas are owned by who they say they are as have to be verifed to be on here .
Good luck and enjoy you holiday where ever you go .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx
ccarcher
08-06-2007, 15:00
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Kazzie
Colin, Mick has already said that he wants to book a villa not a hotel[msnwink]
Karen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by ccarcher
check the flight and hotel / car deals available on Expedia
currently on expedia 22nd July - 5th August around £650 a person XL airways or continental
Virgin had some good deals from Manchester a week or so ago
[/quote]
[/quote]
yes aware of that, but the cheapest options on flights often includes hotel, dont mean you have to use it though[msnwink]
SandraBulmer
27-06-2007, 02:37
Hi Mick
We found a good deal with US Airways booking through Expedia. My original post is here:
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_38919.asp
Sandra
Cheers Sandra
Best I've been quoted on so far is £1720 family of 4, flydrive medium car.
I'll leave it for now as I feel I might be able to get it for £1500, in fact I'm fairly sure if I left it right until the last week I could get it for £1200 or less.
We shall see.
Time to put a search out for villas me thinks:D
Paying with USD may also be worth a look as quite a few owners seem to be much cheaper if paying that way[msnoo]
If thats the easy way for you to pay in US$ then thats just fine, just be aware that your security deposit will also be returned to you in US$ too.
Karen
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Mick-H
Time to put a search out for villas me thinks:D
Paying with USD may also be worth a look as quite a few owners seem to be much cheaper if paying that way[msnoo]
[/quote]
You may find that a non direct flight will be cheaper and more available at last minute, certainly more options. We have flown to JFK (New York) several times and then got an internal flight from there and it was not that much longer and managed with 2 children under the age of 3!
With a villa, you might find that you get a good deal if someone has had a cancellation etc, I am sure that although there may be less choice with many being boooked you will get a nice one from this site.
I hope it works out for you and you manage to get to Florida - once there you will have a great time.
[quote]Originally posted by Kazzie
If thats the easy way for you to pay in US$ then thats just fine, just be aware that your security deposit will also be returned to you in US$ too.
Not necessarily true Kazzie. We prefer our rental fee to be paid in $ U.S as most of our expenses are in the U.S and our rates are based in $. To keep refunds simple though we ask for the booking / refundable security deposit to be paid in £ by U.K residents.
Quick update
I should have taken the £1720 offer [msncry]
All prices after this were more expensive, bang goes our Florida holiday.
On a good note a friend of the Mrs is letting us use her villa in Spain for a couple of weeks, so at least we'll be getting a break.
A big thankyou to everyone who replied to my villa search and the comments above.
Cheers
Sorry things didn't work out Mick. Taking a gamble on flight and car hire prices coming down is as risky as playing the stock market, some you win and some you lose [msnsad]. July is probably not the best time to be looking for bargains though [msnwink]
At least you've managed to find somewhere to go, have a great time in Spain.