Book Airfare or Tour first?

Have you tried Aer Lingus or Iceland Air or any of the non-legacy carriers? You may have to settle for a connection somewhere in lieu of a direct flight. I personally don't mind a connection because it's always a price/convenience trade-off. Where are you flying from in CA? Obviously, if you're near enough a large travel market like LAX, then you'll do fine with airfares...if you're in a small city, then it will be more difficult. I wouldn't use a travel agent just to book flights, it's just like booking flights in the US. If the fares seem unusually high, it may be because you're looking out too far into the future...so remember that they're not static and change all the time.

If you pick a spot on a tour that's not in peak season (middle of summer), you should be able to get a decent deal. Think about what flexibility you have - and if you do have some, then I would use it to tour at a time when fares aren't at their peak. I would make sure that there are spaces available on the tour before booking any airfare. If you're taking an RS tour, there is more flexibility in making a date change than any flexibility an airline will grant you (most likely none, if you bought a non-refundable fare).

Also, many people come a day or even number of days earlier just to settle in and get over jet lag before the tour starts. It's not necessary, but it could give you time to acclimate and it may help with airfare costs if you have a few days wiggle room (either arriving early or staying a day or more late).

I have always booked the tour first and worried about airfare after. Always seemed better than doing it the other way around.

A travel agent can simultaneously hold both bookings awaiting confirmation should you be concerned about missing out or being penalised.

If it's a RS tour by all means book that first. Then set about booking air, using Kayak, Google Flights or similar to find flights and fares. But, having found the flights, I would book directly with the airline. If you can't work through that a travel agent can help. I don't know much about direct to Ireland, but there are many direct flights to London. You could spend a few days there then take a short flight to Dublin.

US airlines are subject to a 24 hour holding period (read the fine print on American Airlines though). You don't need a travel agent to enforce your rights as a purchaser. The law has been on the books since 2012.

https://consumerist.com/2015/06/29/all-major-u-s-airlines-offer-free-cancellations-within-24-hours-except-one/

"Under the DOT’s regulations, as long as a customer books a non-refundable ticket at least seven days ahead of the scheduled departure, an airline is required to offer one of two options: allow that customer to change or cancel the trip within 24 hours without penalty, or hold that reservation at the current price for 24 hours without payment."

This is also important in terms of being able to exercise your protections. "Travelers hoping to take advantage of the 24-hour rule will only be able to do so if they book directly with the airline" – either through their website, on the phone or in person."

Airfares can vary a lot from day to day, so take advantage of any flexibility you have when flight-shopping. I got an incredible deal for this year's trip when I, on a whim, decided to look at April 30 rather than May 1 departures. You just never know. There are some flights that do not fly seven days a week; if you only check for one departure date, there may be some flights you don't even see.

I agree that the tour should be booked first, but I'd be looking at airfares all along, and keeping notes. Flights.google.com (and other search sites) will allow you to set up a fare alert once you select your desired flights. You can do that for multiple days and itineraries. Such research well help you avoid selecting a tour that ties you to unusually costly airfares.

I would book the tour first and then look at flights. I always book everything on my own and never use a travel agent.

Maybe re-stating it, but look at flights first so you know the fare ballpark you are in so there are no surprises, but book flights after you have booked the tour.

I say forget the tour.....book your airfare first , then work your itinerary from there

Check flight cost and availability for time frame in question AND availability of the tour.

Some tours have a minimum enrollment before the tour is a go. Where minimum enrollment is a constraint, there is usually a go/no go date where the tour operator commits to the tour or cancels.

If the tour looks like a go, submit the deposit and start looking at booking flights. Of course if you fly first or business where changes and cancellations are allowed without a penalty, book the flight at your convenience.

Hi Gemartt, book the tour first. I just signed up for a tour online. It looked like the dates were available but they weren't. After exchanging a few e-mails and phone calls I booked a different date. If I would have booked the airline first, I would have had to pay a change fee.

Definitely the tour first, airfare second.

I happened to book airfare first, but it was way early and we had decided on the tour dates. A decent price showed up, I locked it in, and booked the tour the next day. But in general, I'd think it usually would make more sense to book the tour first.

Normally, tour first. Check with the tour company to see their cancellation policy or moving you to another date once you book.

You can almost always find a flight. It may not be the exact flight you want but they are out there. (Unless flying over a holiday period which might make things difficult.)

It depends on the tour company also. Some offer package deals that include both the land and air portions.

Thanks to Agnes, Judy, Nancy, David, Alan, Sharon, Stan, Edgar, Donna, Carol, Frank and everyone who offered so many helpful suggestions!! Thanks to your encouragement, we've booked a tour to Ireland in the fall - and are now exploring our flight options through Kayak, etc.

Garrison

Garrison,
Since Fall is still many months away, don't feel compelled to buy an airline ticket until the price is suitable. The only way to know "a good price" is to track fares over a few months. That way, you'll get a "feel for" a range of prices. Then decide how much you're willing to pay...and when a fare falls into that range, don't hesitate to buy it. Sometimes there are very limited flash fare sales, like on Iceland Air, so be on the lookout for them. If you are in the $800 range or even lower, then by all means don't wait too long because that's a great price. Remember that you can use comparison sites like Kayak, but that you'll have more protection if you buy from the airline directly. Good luck and have a great trip!