Is booking last minute possible for larger parties?

Guest · 25 May 18, 06:53 PM

I don't know if I could do it but just out of interest, is waiting until a few weeks before possible for a party of 7?

Would there be any savings to be had?

I mean if the savings are a couple of hundred then it wouldn't be worth it but �500 or more would be food for thought.

smedley · 25 May 18, 08:38 PM

A massive amount of this would depend on your dates and therefore flight availability

ianc · 25 May 18, 08:50 PM

My place has 4 bedrooms so can sleep up to 8. Whilst I get plenty of couples and small families, lots of my guests are extended families, or 2 families, or groups of friends going to play golf or parents of college sports teams, etc, so there is nothing unusual about 7. Also whilst some Dibbers might book 2 years in advance, Brits make up only 2% of visitors - 90% are from the US and many of them book within 2 months or so of travelling. I've hads lots of bookings with only a week or less to go. Therefore what you class as 'last minute' is actually quite normal. I would be shooting myself in the foot to offer discounts for 'late' bookings given that it is my main booking period. Furthermore with 7 in my place, rather than 2, there will be more wear and tear, more bedding used and more water consumed, so my costs if anything will be higher. How does that justify a discount? I can't see other local accommodation providers taking a different view. It is not difficult to book for 7, as it is only one villa, but not with a discount. 'Allocated on Arrival' type bookings mop up gaps in villa reservations, but are probably not booked late by the guests themselves.
When it comes to UK tour operators, like Tui or TC, then maybe they start to panic when they realise they are flying a half empty plane and are desperate to fill seats. I haven't noticed VA doing that though.

loopyloo33 · 25 May 18, 08:50 PM

If you can be flexible on departure airports and are prepared to go indirect then in my experience there are bargains to be had. It all depends on how flexible you can be.

Guest · 25 May 18, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by loopyloo33

If you can be flexible on departure airports and are prepared to go indirect then in my experience there are bargains to be had. It all depends on how flexible you can be.

We are east Midlands based so can get to most airports within a few hours, I'm flexible with regards to indirect as the kids are older (youngest will be nearly 10) so not too fussy,

To be honest I've priced up car and accommodation and can get both for �1600 for the last 2 weeks in August, which I'm very happy with, I may just see what happens at release date and decide from there x

loopyloo33 · 26 May 18, 10:39 AM

We went last year for last 2 weeks in August (Well I think it was 16 nights) MAN-LHR-MIA and back MIA-ORD-MAN booked in the middle of June for �379 each with American Airlines.

25 May 18, 06:53 PM	#1
	25 May 18, 06:53 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	Is booking last minute possible for larger parties? I don't know if I could do it but just out of interest, is waiting until a few weeks before possible for a party of 7? Would there be any savings to be had? I mean if the savings are a couple of hundred then it wouldn't be worth it but �500 or more would be food for thought.

25 May 18, 08:50 PM	#3
	25 May 18, 08:50 PM ianc Apprentice Imagineer
ianc Apprentice Imagineer Join Date: Jun 10	My place has 4 bedrooms so can sleep up to 8. Whilst I get plenty of couples and small families, lots of my guests are extended families, or 2 families, or groups of friends going to play golf or parents of college sports teams, etc, so there is nothing unusual about 7. Also whilst some Dibbers might book 2 years in advance, Brits make up only 2% of visitors - 90% are from the US and many of them book within 2 months or so of travelling. I've hads lots of bookings with only a week or less to go. Therefore what you class as 'last minute' is actually quite normal. I would be shooting myself in the foot to offer discounts for 'late' bookings given that it is my main booking period. Furthermore with 7 in my place, rather than 2, there will be more wear and tear, more bedding used and more water consumed, so my costs if anything will be higher. How does that justify a discount? I can't see other local accommodation providers taking a different view. It is not difficult to book for 7, as it is only one villa, but not with a discount. 'Allocated on Arrival' type bookings mop up gaps in villa reservations, but are probably not booked late by the guests themselves. When it comes to UK tour operators, like Tui or TC, then maybe they start to panic when they realise they are flying a half empty plane and are desperate to fill seats. I haven't noticed VA doing that though.