Things you have learned about holiday booking from Covid

[munmun]

I believe I am a savy traveller but I have learnt a few things this year.

My personal thoughts

I'm happy with BA and they way they have treated me
I wont rent points again, this is not the fault of the seller but my naivety.
All books will be refundable (has a couple of non refundable Avios bookings that were refunded because the hotels were closed)
I will take into account that the holiday may not go before I book.
I will not book complicated itineraries in case of local lockdown
I enjoy the planning, in some ways it doesnt matter if it doesnt go.
I am happy at home!

What has this years planning taught you about booking and travelling?

[Taffy1959]

I think I’ll probably book packages in future so if anything happens it’s only one company to deal with.

[bronny]

Book last minute unless it’s fully refundable

[YorkshireT]

1. Book with cancellation and flexibility. Now I only book cancellable hotels, and flights that let me change them.
2. Numerous companies who I will never now use, based on personal experience, but mainly reports on here.
3. Numerous companies I will seek to use in future, even if costing a bit more, due to personal experience but mainly reports seen on here.

[tspill]

TBH., I am not sure I will be changing anything.
While it was a bit of hassle, I got everything back from two holidays and unless the rules or laws change, I dont see that changing.

[loldis]

Not to put off buying travel insurance because the booking is months away.

I didn't have a trip booked so wasn't actually affected but definitely been guilty of leaving insurance until close to the trip. Especially for somewhere like Disney since the booking window was so far in advance for free dining.

But on the same hand, I don't see myself booking anything that far in advance again. Disney is pretty much the only trip I do that for and if free dining stays off the table, won't need to any more. Everything else is maybe a few weeks to a month before at most.

[Redsnapper]

Shouldnt this be in the "current issues" forum - I come to this board when I want to avoid Covid threads...

[Sandra & co]

Book thro the airline and not with Netflights!
Don’t buy a wedding outfit in Feb for a wedding in sept in Toronto that you might not get to!

[Sandraoh40]

Pay more attention to cancellation policy, albeit we have had all but £35 of our money refunded.
Unless it’s an avios booking for flights, try to be really sure the holiday will happen or be prepared to lose the deposits.
How much planning the holiday is part of the whole enjoyment.
To a degree, I will take other people’s experiences of companies into consideration before using them, however I do tend to stick to my tried and tested and like booking direct.

[SuziQz]

Try and book a package, even if it only includes a hotel the night before flying, so you only pay a deposit. The thought of ending up with a credit note for the value of 3 business class flights that weren’t valid until we could go back in Aug 2022 was very stressful for a while