Help-Group or individual booking?

alisonu22 · December 11, 2009

My TA keeps telling me that most guests for DW book their rooms first to get a few payments in, and then book the air separate later on since air rates don't come out til 11 months in advance. I know from previous travelling experiences that usually package rates are cheaper than booking them separately. Can anyonce help me with this debate? My TA keeps ignoring my package rate questions and just keeps emailing be back about booking them separately. Does she know something I don't?

Also, how do you all feel about group rates. I'm afraid that if we lock in a group rate price and prices fall we'll be stuck. I'm trying to get the best prices for our guests. I heard that when booked separately they can purchase insurance that will change the price for them if rates go down, but they can't do this if booked as a group. Any past experiences with this would be great. (oh yeah I live in the United States)

One last question, I know this is getting long winded. How long in advance did you all book everything. I thought initial prices that came out for the next year always seemed higher than say rates that were 6-7 months out. In my head, I think they drop so they start selling rooms they haven't got rid of yet. I would ask my TA all of these things but she seems to be set on one idea. Thank you for all of your help and advice. I wouldn't know who to ask if it wasn't for you guys. Thanks

debbmach · December 11, 2009

From my experience you usually do get a cheaper rate when you book everything together, and even cheaper as a group. I'm in the same boat as you at to when to lock in. My TA says to wait till the spring (getting married Jan 2011) to get the best prices, but I also fear that I'll lock them in and the prices will drop. It's a big responsibility when you have to decide what everyone else it paying!

lscilley · December 11, 2009

I'm not sure how different you guys are but I'm in Canada and we booked as a group made it much easier to handle the group through one travel agent. We have to book packages up here can't book hotel and air separate for tropical places. We booked about a year and a bit in advance gave guests lots of time to pay off their trips. We were guarenteed a certain price or lower if it went down not higher and when final prices came out they were actually more so we saved money booking as a group so far ahead. Also my hotel booked up fast and the flight was full too so we almost had a guest who had to fly elsewhere to catch the flight to the DR.

ChristinaP · December 11, 2009

I am also from Canada, so I know it would be different, but for us it is better to book a hotel air package as a group. Yes, there is a possiblility of a last minute deal, but you can't exactly do that when planning a wedding. They also tend to offer incentives for group bookings for us. We were able to get every 16th adult one week free (so essentially $3100 off of our two week trip as we have 30 ppl), upgraded to first class air, they held spots for our group from different points around the country on a minimal deposit, and they will honor the lower price if the price comes down before our final payments are due. Some of our guests are going separate air and booking through the hotel, but that is only cheaper for them b/c their flights are on points- and they are by no means direct flights!

Are you attached to your TA? It might also be a good idea to shop around for a TA? I know we did, and I was glad too, as we were able to find someone who we really clicked with. I didn't realize before what an importan decision a TA actually is. Also, there are TA's on this site that would be able to help answer your questions.

Good Luck to you.