How far in advance to book?

[Harthagan]

Planned a vacation for bali in july, flights already booked. Looking at staying at the hilton resort for 7 nights but wondering if it's too early to book? Dates are firm, I'm just wondering if prices are more likely to climb or fall and when would make most sense to book?

 

[eric2011]

Book fully flexible rates now and then every 2 or 3 weeks go back in and do a dummy booking. If prices have dropped do a new booking and cancel the old. If prices rise then you are a winner.
Usually prices will be pretty much set and wont change much from about a month out from your stay, however with this naughty virus about many hotels are active with there yield management atm

 

[Harthagan]

Book fully flexible rates now and then every 2 or 3 weeks go back in and do a dummy booking. If prices have dropped do a new booking and cancel the old. If prices rise then you are a winner.

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess the only sting is that the fully flexible rates are 12.5% more. In the case that prices come down, I can rebook and I'll come out ahead. If prices go up Id just stick with my booking but could have paid less for it.

 

[eric2011]

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess the only sting is that the fully flexible rates are 12.5% more. In the case that prices come down, I can rebook and I'll come out ahead. If prices go up Id just stick with my booking but could have paid less for it.

Its a bit of a lottery at the moment, just this week I have reduced my stay at Rydges hotel at SYD airport by around 20%, 2 nights at Dunedin (NZ) by 17% and Tauranga (NZ) by 12%. My 6 day Hertz rental at CHC from $1790.00 down to $1130.00.
Currently it is certainly a buyers market

When doing price comparisons make sure you delete your computers history and cookies

 

[k_sheep]

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess the only sting is that the fully flexible rates are 12.5% more. In the case that prices come down, I can rebook and I'll come out ahead. If prices go up Id just stick with my booking but could have paid less for it.

Do you have AAA membership? Like RACV, RACQ or equivalent in your state? Those are flexible rates which I tend to use for this very reason.

 

[hydrabyss]

Its a bit of a lottery at the moment, just this week I have reduced my stay at Rydges hotel at SYD airport by around 20%, 2 nights at Dunedin (NZ) by 17% and Tauranga (NZ) by 12%. My 6 day Hertz rental at CHC from $1790.00 down to $1130.00.
Currently it is certainly a buyers market

When doing price comparisons make sure you delete your computers history and cookies

I just got back from CHC last week and had looked at Hertz but prices had been around $700 for 5 days. Was going to go with Aerodrive which had decent rates but ended up with Thrifty. I had been checking everyday when a few weeks out I picked up a Landcruiser Prado for $300 which was $100 cheaper than a Corolla and being Diesel only had to pay $1.35/litre instead of the $2.10 for unleaded.