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Keith Speaks |
2013 Winter Rates Are 2014's Best Deal
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One of the most frequent questions I'm getting is if it should be booked now or closer to arrival. If you know me, my answer is always the same: "Do it now."
Especially during winter. Why? Because rates are so low it's funny. Then, again, I couldn't be more serious. To prove my point, check out this graphic I clipped from Trip Advisor:
This is a standard airline ticket inquiry. It's for domestic flight on American, United, Delta, etc. Who, really, doesn't matter. Just look at how the rates taper up!
But here's where it gets really interesting.
In the case of the Trip Advisor rates, those are the lowest for each month. The takeaway is how they will with absolutely certainty increase as summer fast approaches.
So, are tours like this, too? Yes and no.
Yes because Grand Canyon trips will predictably rise as spring and summer approaches. No because if you purchase your tour now during winter for that helicopter or airplane tour in 2014 the price will stay fixed at what you bought it for in this year. Indeed, there will be slight differences between the rates but nothing like what you'll experience if you booked during spring/summer 2014.
Then there's booking within 72 hours of departure. I call that the "hot" zone. If you are planning on booking during this time, rates will always be higher than if you booked a week in advance. Take a look at this graphic I clipped from the Papillon website:
The takeaway from this graphic is that same day bookings and those made 12-24 hours prior to take off will cost you an extra $10 per person. As we get closer to spring and summer 2014, this price jump goes even higher. Further, the "window" will increase to 48 to 72 hours.
If you have questions about this please email me at grandcanyonkeith@gmail.com and I'll elaborate.
Of course, taking advantage of rates requires planning. I used to be terrible at it when I was younger. Then I realized how much money I was losing on airfares, attractions and tours. I made an effort to get better and I must say it's made all the difference in the world, especially if I'm traveling with family.
A common question about NOT booking ahead like this is that travel plans change. Hey, I get it and mine change all the time, too. And that's why I only go with tour operators I can trust. There are many "trust" factors, including the cancellation policy.
Many of us yawn at the small print but knowing the cancel policy can really save you big bucks if you get in tight spot. So what's a good one we all can live with? It's one that lets you cancel your trip within 24 hours of departure with a full money back guarantee. There are other companies out there that do 48 hours but for peace of mind I go with 24.
I also look at how these vendors handle weather cancellations. Grand Canyon weather can be fickle in spring and winter (it's consistently good from summer through fall) and that's where you want to be on your "A" game. Again, the best tour companies will give you a 100 percent refund if bad weather strikes. Or, if you want, they'll reschedule you later that day or that week or whenever you want during your stay.
So what's on the horizon for the remainder of 2013. Well, if you are headed to Las Vegas, keep in mind that the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is in town the first week of December. Then there's the Christmas Holiday week (remember, there are no helicopter tours on 12/25. If you need to get airborne, take an airplane tour). Lastly, there's New Year's Eve, which is a BIG deal in Vegas.
Keep these event/holiday dates in mind as you plan your Grand Canyon tour from Las Vegas. Why, because tour prices will inch up, especially for bookings made 48 hours prior to take off (might even extend to 72 hours!). Historically speaking, I know for a fact that air tours (e.g. helicopter and airplane) will fill up. If you are going by bus, there's less urgency, but I wouldn't push it.
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Travel on!
