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One week in Italy in September

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I'm putting together a trip for my daughter-in-law, granddaughter and myself for one week in Italy after a cruise. I have reserved a hotel room for us in Venice when we arrive for the cruise and then two days in Venice when we return from the cruise, before we begin our train trip south. The hotel has already charged my credit card. If I keep making reservations for the rest of the trip (Florence and Rome) my credit card is going to be loaded with charges before we even begin our journey Sept. 8.

Question: Am I taking a big chance not making reservations until say, August, or should I just go ahead and make them and watch the charges pile up to be paid before we even get there? I've planned lots of trips in the past just for myself and I don't remember this happening.

Posted by
12113 posts

I would not wait until August to make reservations for Sept.

Are you booking directly with the hotel? My experience is most will want a cc# to guarantee a reservation, but not charge anything until you arrive. Some do require some ( partial) deposit.

If you are booking a bargain ( no-refund, no change) rate through a 3rd party site, then it makes sense the full charge occurs.

My GUESS is that if you wait until August, only really expensive and the not so desirable places are what will be available. The nice places at moderate prices are likely to be booked up by then.

And if you pay the charges now, you won't have them waiting when you get home. Not all bad.

Like the old Pennzoil commercial said, " pay me now or pay me later"

Posted by
18 posts

Thanks! That's true about paying for it before I leave. I hate interest!

I'll just keep moving forward with my plans but I'll make the reservations directly with the facility.

Posted by
16742 posts

Am I taking a big chance not making reservations until say, August, or
should I just go ahead and make them

IMHO, the trick here is being able to land good rates before the best deals book up, and also be get OUT of your reservations with no penalty should your plans change for some reason. I would book as soon as possible but with care regarding cancellation policies.

Most hotels only reserve your room with your credit card but we have had some which charged part of the tariff in advance. I use booking.com for our reservations, and choose only hotels which offer 100% refundable cancellations within a short time before our booked stay.

Posted by
1832 posts

Agree with Kathy above me.
I also usually use Booking.com and they clearly state the terms and sometimes have 2 rates one for prepaying and one for holding the room with no money down and free cancellation up to a stated date. The no money down usually means you pay at the hotel not before.

I have in the past prepaid and used other sites which are always prepay but nowdays I prefer to stick with cancellable options, even if it costs a small percentage more. I like to book a nice room so I know I have lodging but then keep my options open to change the plans and bookings if it seems better to do so the more I research as the dates approach.

Booking direct at the hotel's site the terms should also be clearly stated if it is prepay or just a hold with a credit card.

I would definitely book something without money down now that I can switch in August if need be rather than wait til August to see what is available and remaining

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