How long does it take for you to plan a trip?

[harvyk]

So the Mrs has given me permission to do a RWT trip a little later this year and attend a conference in Seattle, and visit the offices of one of our suppliers. Not 100% necessary for my day job, but this ain't going to hurt my career either. So I've started the planning, putting through dummy booking after dummy booking, planning, changing plans, and working things out.

Before I go I'd guess that I'd have spent at least 40 hours planning, and tweaking those plans, and making sure everything will line up perfect.

So my question is, how long do people here take when planning their trips? Do they simply outsource the whole deal to a PA / TA / Minion? Or do you spend countless hours researching to get the perfect trip?

(PS, talking big trips here, not a weekend in SYD)

 

[TomVexille]

We're in the middle of planning/booking a trip that's a year away and the planning started a year ago...

 

[Boca68]

It does depend on the trip, but if it was a RTW like yours, perhaps hundreds of hours. Not just flight scheduling, but lots of other research as well. Obviously spread over many days/weeks, even months. But, if it was say, flights to NZ to attend a friends wedding, like I did last year, maybe 3 to 4 hours.

As an example, I'm doing a trip to Cuba in September. Normally it would be relatively simple for me. But this time, I'm meeting a friend in Miami. So, I got charged with booking the hotels, flights to Cuba and various other extras. Almost finished , but we have left some things open for now. I probably expected 10 to 15 hours planning, but has ending up being 30 to 40 hours, I'd guess. But, I do enjoy the planning phase. Not as much as the actual doing, but it is fun!

 

[Hvr]

Am currently planning the fine details of my US trip in Oct and also doing broad planning for my UK trip in May 2016. Have already booked the flights for the latter trip.

The planning is half the fun and sometimes I find things that are of benefit to my fellow AFFers such as a great SC run in the US which I've posted in the appropriate thread.

Other times I'll ask questions here seeking information or opinions. All of which helps contribute to AFF and brightens up the place.

 

[serfty]

I start planning the bones (i.e. Intercontinental/long-haul First/Business 15 months in advance), once that's sorted 11-12 months out I begin filling in the structure over the next 6-8 months. The last months are spent refining details.

 

[Denali]

Generally we are already talking about our "next trip" while we are finishing up the current trip so could be as much as an year out for the bigger plans.

Hate to think how many hours I spend on it. Checking out flight options, hotels, reviews, logistics etc.

I currently have august, november and december locked down and Im working on April 2016 Cambodia.

I was feeling really planning burnt out earlier this year.

 

[boomy]

In order to find good availability on long haul flights planing must start 9-12 months in advance. Each airline releases seats in different times so it also depends who you want to fly with. I'm currently planing March/April Euro trip and good deals in F are already hard to find, although still possible if enough research is done.

 

[Simo]

Depends on the trip and the destination...

If it is a quick trip to CNS or SYD MEL not much OS many hours of planning will go in to it.

 

[amaroo]

Since joining AFF I've morphed into a "long distance booker", most flights are now booked 300+ days out. I don't bother booking other parts of the trip until 8-9 months later however, I spend a truckload more time searching hotels than airlines. Flying up the front on the cheap = more money for luxe accommodation/experience. If travelling during "hot spots" e.g. Xmas/NYE, I'll commit to the land content earlier.

Being a "long distance booker" means booking other trips (flights) before one starts to think about the land content on the first trip e.g. Booked this years xmas Euro trip last Dec/Jan ... then, SWMBO NYC birthday special flights were booked last month for May 16 ... now starting to think about completing the Euro trip. Hopefully, I'll book flights for another trip before we depart for our first trip

 

[Pushka]

I currently have 3 big trips on the go. Each has started a year out and all planned using the AFF skill base to get the best deals. I love the planning. Europe trip first leg starts tomorrow and just received a points upgrade to HK, then J all the way to Paris, Rome and home. Booked as soon as awards came out. Dubai at Christmas using Points and AA purchases for J and F flights. May/June 2016 is Hawaii and Alaska. Used AA again for F,J and Y flights and paying :eek for Jetstar J. Waiting for the return date to be released in August.

 

[mmchow]

I find planning so much fun - from the flights, hotels and things to see and do. Been planning my upcoming U.S. trip since June 14 for Jan 16 trip involving which airline miles/ points should I buy for this trip. I've spend numerous hours reading through blogs and post on the pros and cons of one to another. Finally pulled the trigger and bought US Divident Miles.

I've used an agent (Points Pro) in the U.S. (Lucky from OMAAT) 2 days before they closed the U.S. Airway booking system. Phew managed to book 2x J on Qantas and Cathay from MEL-LAX return. From then one, constantly checking/ monitoring flight prices on Google Flight over the course of 2 months. Scored some great F deals along the way (sweet).

With hotel bookings, I'm a fan of Starwood and having Plat status, that's the hotel I'm going for. Booked flexible rates for all my stay (some I used Virtuoso for the extra benefits) and constantly check for specials available, and rebook if the price is cheaper.

What makes the planning better is seeing people sharing their stories and experiences here. No doubt I will be sharing my 2 cents here and then.

 

[Marsonline]

What's the value of Points Pro's service may I ask?

I find planning so much fun - from the flights, hotels and things to see and do. Been planning my upcoming U.S. trip since June 14 for Jan 16 trip involving which airline miles/ points should I buy for this trip. I've spend numerous hours reading through blogs and post on the pros and cons of one to another. Finally pulled the trigger and bought US Divident Miles.

I've used an agent (Points Pro) in the U.S. (Lucky from OMAAT) 2 days before they closed the U.S. Airway booking system. Phew managed to book 2x J on Qantas and Cathay from MEL-LAX return. From then one, constantly checking/ monitoring flight prices on Google Flight over the course of 2 months. Scored some great F deals along the way (sweet).

With hotel bookings, I'm a fan of Starwood and having Plat status, that's the hotel I'm going for. Booked flexible rates for all my stay (some I used Virtuoso for the extra benefits) and constantly check for specials available, and rebook if the price is cheaper.

What makes the planning better is seeing people sharing their stories and experiences here. No doubt I will be sharing my 2 cents here and then.

 

[doctau]

Mrsdoctau and I are going on a 12 month RTW trip, in about 8 months time, and started planning it a bit over a year and a half ago.

There's a fair bit of time spent on it, since we've revised major things a few times (like which continents to visit, and for how many months each). A lot of research on flights, awards, and how to earn points. More on where to visit, how to get there overland, and how to fit it into the time we have.

 

[get me outta here]

I booked my US trip on the day the F seats on QF became available as rewards. Then, I spent the next 350 days or so sorting out which priority things I wanted to do in each place. There was so much to find out about NYC that I started to grind my teeth over night and had to get a mouth guard. I had made a few short visits to NYC, but wanted to be prepared for an in depth visit. I booked the airbnb place about 9 months out - drawback is that you have to pay in full in advance, but it worked in my favour on the exchange rate. The nested US flights are cheaper booked well in advance.

I enjoyed NYC so much, I came back a few weeks ago and immediately booked a J reward (insufficient points for F), to go back for a month just to NY, next year.

Now, I shall spend considerably less time doing some smaller trips.

 

[mark4217]

About 13 months in advance. I love spreadsheeting the details. Then wife and I debate how long in each place, then make changes to the spreadsheet. Then I get on to viator.com click on the destination and see what there is to do. Then we wait 10 days for viator to email me 20% discount offers to all the attractions I clicked on 10 days earlier. Works a treat. Air tickets booked 330 days out or whenever they open up. All J or F on points of course.

 

[flying_duck]

Depends on the trip. I will happily do a weekend in Auckland or somewhere else relatively close at the last minute (a week or less). I recently did a week in Canada on a whim/random urge and I spent about an hour booking flights and a car a week before. My April big USA trip was maybe 2 months out. I have no idea where I will be in a years time, seems crazy for me to book a year or more in advance. Plus no idea why I'd need that much time.

i do obsess over the right deal though. I still spend maybe 40 hours or more finding exactly the best sc per $ in the highest class I can afford and the best routing - I like flying via random places like Salt Lake City or Denver.

 

[RooFlyer]

My trips are getting to more and more 'non western' places (South America, Russia/Eastern Europe; central Asia etc) and concomitantly longer in time (3-4 weeks away). In these places I don't drive, and am very picky with domestic flights, so am looking for more tours with self +/- friends.

For my next long trip, to the Stans in May next year, I've just spent 20 or so hours researching places to see, any seasonality etc (Lonely Planet, tours itineraries on tour web sites etc) and deciding the start/finish places to make sure I can get in and out on airlines that are OK and/or I might get an Award flight on.

Put it onto a spread sheet with flights, tentative hotels, costs.

Last week I passed the concept and tentative itinerary onto my Travel Agent, who has worked with me for about 8 years and knows my likes and dislikes. Over the next month or so they'll stich things together, checking in with me from time to time re flights and price hotels that they think I might like and/or one's I've suggested.

(This is all 2-3 months sooner than I would usually start things for a May trip, but the Stans do present logistical and visa issues, needing long lead times.)

After abt 2 months of the TA and I kicking it around, it should be ready to lock in dates, book (but not ticket) flights and maybe pay a deposit on any long lead time tours etc (Galapagos cruise was a situation like this). Now maybe 6 months out.

Then its down tools, except for me looking for Award seats or sale fares for the long haul legs to get to the trip location, either on OneWorld or Star Alliance. Also keeping an eye out for promotions for hotels I'm planning to stay at. Travel Agent keeps an eye on flights booked, cancelling seats then re-booking as payment becomes due.

From about 3 months out, everything should be locked in and whatever needs to be paid for, paid for.

For a western destination I do a lot more myself, probably selecting flights and hotels and the itinerary in 20 hrs or so planning maybe 3-4 months out, then just give it to the TA to book.

 

[mmchow]

What's the value of Points Pro's service may I ask?

I've paid US$300 for their service (first passenger $200 and the second $100). Overall, impressed - quick response time, they search for the available awards and come up with the best itinerary (and a few options in case i prefer something else). All booked within the 24 hours period.

 

[Austman]

I'd like to ask: "Does it matter?"

I understand it might be a bit interesting to know, but really, apart from perhaps securing some rare award seats as soon as they become released, what does it matter? Plan it the way that suits you.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd like to ask: "Does it matter?"

I understand it might be a bit interesting to know, but really, apart from perhaps securing some rare award seats as soon as they become released, what does it matter? Plan it the way that suits you.

It matters to me, and no doubt the others who have responded similarly. Jolly good, I shall plan the way that suits me, thanks.