Americans used to plan vacation travel nine months to a year in advance…
Until 9/11 changed that pattern resulting with much smaller travel shopping windows. Most of their vacation plans were planned either last minute or three or four weeks out.
However that pattern is ending.
Most popular destinations for dates like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break, are definitely selling out faster—and far earlier!
So if you’re planning on 2014 holiday travel and haven’t locked in your reservations, what are you waiting for?
Prices can and WILL PROBABLY ONLY GO UP!
That brings us to a pair of significant travel and package providers.
The first is SOUTHWEST AIRLINES which is expecting to have its acquired Air Tran Airways merged entirely into the Mother Ship by the end of November.
Unlike other airlines Southwest opens its booking window for advance reservations in time blocks. In other words you may only be able to book a certain number of months in advance whereas other carriers usually let you buy a full year in advance.
Fortunately Southwest’s current booking window is open through Spring Break 2015 travel. So you can now book KCI’s biggest airline (by daily departures) through April 6, 2015.
And mark OCTOBER 27 on your calendar!
That’s when Southwest is tentatively opening its inventory through June 5, 2015.
Why are these dates doubly important for Spring Break travel?
Because for the first time ever Southwest vacation destinations will include INTERNATIONAL warm getaways!
Due to its Air Tran Airways acquisition, Southwest will for the first time be able to take you to Cancun, San Juan, Punta Cana, Montego Bay, Nassau, Los Cabos, Aruba and Mexico City.
And yes, TWO free pieces of checked luggage will still prevail!
Bookings can be made as packages to include air, hotels/resorts, transfers and insurance. So if you’re thinking about it then it’s time TO DO something about it. And sooner rather than later!
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The other extremely popular travel product is European River Cruising.
Like down the Rhine from Amsterdam to Switzerland.
Or on the beautiful Danube.
Rapid sellouts of these river cruises have made it almost mandatory to book as far in advance as possible. Spring/Summer 2015 is selling right now.
One simply cannotwait until a couple of months before departure to get choice cabins anymore.
Most Americans associate this popular river cruising product only with Viking River Cruises. That’s probably because they do so much prime television advertising.
But there are at least five other lines with similar itineraries competing on the Rhine and Danube. They include AMA Waterways, Uniworld and Avalon Cruises.
Customers returning from these enchanting river cruises have had nothing but praise for them. And that’s gratifying for those of us who professionally book them.
Travelers are starting to get it. You just can’t wait to get that deal anymore!
So whether it’s Mexico, the Caribbean or the beautiful rivers of Europe, make your decisions EARLY for best pricing and availabilities.
I’ll be glad to assist.
Jack Poessiger is an independent travel agent for Shelton Travel, Inc. specializing in leisure travel. You can reach him at 913-649-2960.
Heading to Hawaii for 7 days on Sunday. My 6th or 7th trip booked via Funjet.com. Have experienced nothing but great service from them. Will be booking Punta Cana soon….
Thinking about a river cruise. How do they compare pricewise to ocean cruises?