General flight/hotel question

Question

For booking airfare and hotels, and not just to New Orleans - how far in advance should I book?

A little background..... at my place of employment, all employees are asked each December to submit their vacation requests for the following year. We cannot choose anything before this time, and we have to wait until our request is either accepted or rejected (my work team goes by seniority and I am low man on the totem pole).

Answer

When it comes to booking flights and hotels, timing can make a significant difference in both price and availability. Since your vacation requests are submitted in December for the following year and your ability to finalize plans depends on approval, you'll need to strategize a bit.

Flights: Generally, for domestic U.S. travel, the sweet spot for booking is around 1.5 to 3 months in advance. For international flights, 4 to 6 months ahead is ideal. Booking too early can sometimes lead to higher prices, while waiting too long may reduce options and increase costs.

Hotels: Hotel booking strategies differ depending on the location and season. Popular destinations, like New Orleans around major events or festivals, fill up quickly. In general:

For peak travel periods (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, holidays), book as soon as your vacation is approved—even 6–9 months ahead is not uncommon.
For off-peak or shoulder seasons, 1–3 months in advance is usually sufficient and allows for some flexibility.
Consider refundable rates or flexible booking policies if you need to wait until your vacation request is confirmed.

Tips given your work situation:

Identify a list of preferred hotels and flights now, so you can quickly act once your vacation is approved.
Sign up for airfare alerts or monitor prices using tools like Google Flights or Hopper, so you know when fares are reasonable.
Consider hotels that allow free cancellation or changes—this gives you flexibility if your vacation is approved later than expected.
For high-demand periods in New Orleans, it may be worth considering slightly off-center accommodations to secure availability.

Overall, planning ahead with flexibility is key. Have your preferred options ready and monitor prices, so that as soon as your vacation is confirmed, you can book flights and hotels without losing out on availability or getting the highest rates.

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