Best Site to Book Trip

[policegirl]

I think either way you are good as long as you use companies such as expedia, orbitz, funjet etc... We have traveled many times and have used a travel agent on at least 3 or 4 trips that I can think of, who booked our trips for us using one of the above three it seems like each time.. Definately our first trip to Mexico we used a great agent who was able to direct us to Gran Porto Real, which was exactly what we were looking for at the time and we couldn't have done it without him. This year we worked with an agent who booked us through funjet but have also booked through funjet and expedia on our own.
For me, I'd be scared to wait until the last minute, especially in the summer when everyone is taking a vacation, unless you are not picky about where you stay etc.... I'd just be worried I wouldn't get what I want, lol.. but I'm sure you might be able to get some great deals doing that. If you don't know, most agencies will let you pay your travel out over a period of several months which is what we normally do so we don't have to come up with a big chunk of change all at once... I think we paid $$600-700 down on ours and then have paid it off over a period of 4 months or so... if that helps you book, take advantage of it and that way at least you know you are going and where you are going to be in advance.... And I guess I always get scared that the closer to summer, the more gas seems to rise and airfare too it seems... Either way, you will love Playa!!!

[CGrover]

If this is only about airfare, no need to read further.

But lodging, there are a few places that if you contact them directly, you will get a cheaper rate than thru a travel site. Not every location. But enough to make it worthwhile to contact them.

[MaeEast]

Originally Posted by Shammy

I don't know where the OP is coming from but if you only have access to scheduled air (as opposed to a charter) and wait a week out from departure, I don't think you're going to like the airfares you're going to find. Weekend travel, going into peak summer travel season, going under advanced purchase rules - all I can say is good luck with that! If you do have charters from your city, waiting might work out to your advantage. Or...you might find the charter sold out. Either way, I wouldn't be waiting until a week out, regardless of the type of air you might be using.

I would never wait til ONE week out, but 2 weeks--Yes, I stand by that as far as low season and finding less expensive fares. There are always flights going to CUN, and generally enough people booking for some airline to put another plane into motion, then the sale begins if it doesn't fill up...I'm not picky about airlines, as long as If there is a stop, it is less than 2 hours layover at another airport.

***Good old days, I remember a few years ago one could fly from NYC to CUN for around $325...including taxes.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by MaeEast

I would never wait til ONE week out, but 2 weeks--Yes, I stand by that as far as low season and finding less expensive fares. There are always flights going to CUN, and generally enough people booking for some airline to put another plane into motion, then the sale begins if it doesn't fill up...I'm not picky about airlines, as long as If there is a stop, it is less than 2 hours layover at another airport.

Airlines typically don't add more flights, once the schedule is set, it's set. And these days, they are reducing flights. I'm working on schedule changes every single day because a client's flight segment has been cancelled so I have to relocate them on one of the remaining possibilities on that airline - assuming there is one. Sometimes there isn't, and I have to book another airline, and that sometimes increases the clients cost. Yes they can walk away with a refund if a segment or flight is cancelled, but if they don't opt for that, they have to pay the new airfare for another carrier to get them to Cancun. Ask some people here - non stop flights are changing to one stop flights, especially during low season. Non stops during the week are being eliminated completely and we're now seeing non stops on weekends or just on Saturday when we used to have them every day of the week or several times a week. There are fewer flights going to Cancun these days, not more flights. I do this for a living, every day of the week. I'm looking at flights and fares from cities all over the USA into Cancun. I'm telling it like it is. If 2 weeks out has always worked for you, that's great, consider yourself lucky. Many people are picky, they don't want long layovers, they want the best flight times, they want non stop. What works for one person will never apply to all. I'm not saying it's impossible to get a good deal 2 weeks out, I'm saying that's not typical and that I wouldn't recommend it - unless of course someone really doesn't care what they pay, what kind of flights they have, or even if they go at all.

[gal4giants]

we use Loco Gringo every time, they usually beat out any of the online booking sites PLUS they will be there to help in case of any issues ...like a hurricane for instance

[kaki321]

Originally Posted by Shammy

Airlines typically don't add more flights, once the schedule is set, it's set. And these days, they are reducing flights. I'm working on schedule changes every single day because a client's flight segment has been cancelled so I have to relocate them on one of the remaining possibilities on that airline - assuming there is one. Sometimes there isn't, and I have to book another airline, and that sometimes increases the clients cost. Yes they can walk away with a refund if a segment or flight is cancelled, but if they don't opt for that, they have to pay the new airfare for another carrier to get them to Cancun. Ask some people here - non stop flights are changing to one stop flights, especially during low season. Non stops during the week are being eliminated completely and we're now seeing non stops on weekends or just on Saturday when we used to have them every day of the week or several times a week. There are fewer flights going to Cancun these days, not more flights. I do this for a living, every day of the week. I'm looking at flights and fares from cities all over the USA into Cancun. I'm telling it like it is. If 2 weeks out has always worked for you, that's great, consider yourself lucky. Many people are picky, they don't want long layovers, they want the best flight times, they want non stop. What works for one person will never apply to all. I'm not saying it's impossible to get a good deal 2 weeks out, I'm saying that's not typical and that I wouldn't recommend it - unless of course someone really doesn't care what they pay, what kind of flights they have, or even if they go at all.

Yikes! That makes me a little nervous for my upcoming trip in June where we are flying home on a Tuesday on a non-stop flight.

Oh, but wait! I have a travel agent working for me...someone who will contact me immediately when and if this happens. Not just an email or a voicemail, but an actual personal phone call! I have someone who will personally relocate me on one of the remaining possibilities on that airline AND/OR check with another airline, and review ALL of my options (not just with that airline).

I feel better now.

Carrying on now....

[Shammy]

Thanks for drinking the Koolaid kaki!

[kaki321]

Originally Posted by Shammy

Thanks for drinking the Koolaid kaki!

(p.s., they better not screw with my flights! I hope I didn't jinx myself)

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by kaki321

my upcoming trip in June where we are flying home on a Tuesday on a non-stop flight.

(p.s., they better not screw with my flights! I hope I didn't jinx myself)

(p.s. you are flying home on a Monday dear, not a Tuesday...)

[MaeEast]

Shammy, I respect your professional opinion. I do check nearly every day.

Spirt is saying, today, that they have no flights available for May 26th. I will keep checking as time goes by to see if more flights are available in the near future...and report back.

Also, I usually keep myself open to the 3+ or - days coming and going, which helps.

[roni]

I usually book airfare with the airline, and used to tend to favor Continental.

I check on kayak.com, but book with the airline.

We usually rent a condo or house - lots of options on vrbo.com and through folks here who own places they rent.

[kaki321]

Originally Posted by Shammy

(p.s. you are flying home on a Monday dear, not a Tuesday...)

reason #1,112,467 I need Shammy.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by MaeEast

Shammy, I respect your professional opinion. I do check nearly every day.

Spirt is saying, today, that they have no flights available for May 26th. I will keep checking as time goes by to see if more flights are available in the near future...and report back.

Also, I usually keep myself open to the 3+ or - days coming and going, which helps.

Thank you! But...I don't know where you're flying from when taking Spirit but, if there's no flight available to Cancun from that city right now, there won't be. They're not going to add a flight now for a 5/26 departure.

[Townie923]

[quote=bearsnut84;1889942]Me and the wife are planning our first trip to Mexico finally and have decided on Playa del Carmen!! we just got a couple questions for this awesome group of people here!

I have a friend here at work that travels to Mexico several times a year and she uses Apple and waits until the week before to book. I have decided to go with this method of booking, I am planning my trip for last week of June.

So got a couple questions...

What is best site to look at for info and to book with?

Also what days of the week are best/cheapest days to travel on?

I am thinking about Sunday June 24 to Sunday July 1.

Thanks for your help!![/quote

I would try the yucatreks.com websight.... used them many times always a good time

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by Townie923

I would try the yucatreks.com websight.... used them many times always a good time

They are great, but the OP is asking about airfare and hotel. You can't book a trip on the Yucatreks site, just an excursion.