Booking a Holiday in the Sales – Is It Worth It?
I have worked in the travel industry for over 30 years, way before Black Friday became what it is today. I've seen sales and booking seasons change quite a bit over the years, and I've also seen the buyer's regret when a purchased deal turns out not to be quite right once it's been properly thought through.
We are deep into the Black Friday sales period, followed shortly by the Boxing Day and New Year sales. To avoid feeling overwhelmed and making impulse purchases, here are a few tips that may help, not just during the sales season but anytime you are planning and booking a holiday.
1. Do your planning first
Take some time to think about what you actually want to do and experience on your holiday. Knowing what you want from your holiday is key to avoiding disappointment or additional costs further down the line. Think about your destination, dates, accommodation, experiences, routing and what your budget is.
Having an idea of what you want makes it much easier to recognise a good deal when you see one.
2. Don't be influenced by the deal
A good deal is one that you want and that suits your plans. It's easy to be tempted by a big percentage discount, but if the holiday isn't quite right, the dates don't work or it involves compromising on something important, is it really a deal?
Make sure you understand what the deal actually is and, more importantly, whether it is right for you. Don't let the countdown clocks and limited-time offers rush you into making a decision. No one wants buyer's regret; we just want a holiday that we enjoy 😊
3. Take advantage of big-ticket discounts and availability
Just like household appliances and electronics, if your holiday is centred around a "big-ticket item" such as a cruise, villa, luxury train journey or a particular hotel, the November sales can be a good time to book. It's not just about the discount, availability is often just as important.
If you have your heart set on a particular cruise, cabin category, villa or room type, booking when November promotions are released can give you a much better choice. Waiting for a bigger discount further down the line could mean that what you actually want is no longer available.
4. Don't overload yourself with email sign-ups
Mailing lists are a good way to find out when sales and discounts are available, but do you really need another 20+ emails landing in your inbox every day? Here's a wee secret. Because I work closely with travel suppliers (cruise lines, hotels, tour companies etc.), I often find out ahead of time when their sales are launching and what the offers will include.
There is usually an embargo on sharing the details, but if I know what you are planning, I can do the research in the background and let you know as soon as the sale goes live. And, of course, if I'm allowed access to a pre-sale offer, I'll share that too!
That is much better than a constant stream of emails – no one has time for those 😊
So, should you book during Black Friday, wait for a potentially better sale or ignore the sales altogether? My answer is simple: don't buy a holiday just because it's on sale. Book it because it's the right holiday for you.
