Best time to buy airline tickets & book RS tour

Some of Rick's tours feel fairly fast, so I would book that first, ideally near the time they are first posted in the late fall. You don't have to pay the entire amount when you first reserve, but really are just holding your place. I believe it's two months prior to beginning of the tour when the entire amount must be paid. So far as the airline ticket is concerned, the earliest you can book is 330 days in advance, but that's not usually necessary. I believe most people do so around six months ahead of time unless, of course, you plan to redeem frequent flier miles. Then you should book as soon as the airline will allow you in order to get a seat, as they are limited.

Hi Kim, the 2016 tours should be announced mid-August. There's a $400 deposit required. They offer a $100 discount if you book by the end of November. If you know your dates, don't wait or the trip you want may be sold out. Check the Tours tab for all the info. I'll be booking my 7th RS tour soon! I usually make airline reservations at 4 months out, that's when I start getting nervous! Track the prices and routes for a few months and you'll know when you feel comfortable making reservations. Which tour are you interested in?

Definitely book the tour first and wait until you get the email saying you are confirmed on that tour. Sometimes you get the confirmation within a day sometimes it takes several days. I agree with starting to watch fares pretty far out to get a feel for the price.

I'm looking at doing Belgium and Holland next year too! Are you going to spend some extra time before and after the tour?

Hi Kim, I re-read your post and saw that you are interested in the Belgium/Holland tour. I did that tour in 2013 and enjoyed it a lot. One of the highlights was visiting the Keukenhof Gardens (7 million tulips, beautiful). According to their website, the gardens will be open March 24-May 16, 2016. Check with the RS office to confirm, but it's my understanding that they amend the itinerary during that time period to include a visit to the gardens. I also enjoyed bicycling around the windmills in Bruge, the tour of the pottery factory in Delft, and the wonderful museums in Amsterdam. Hope you have a great time!

If possible I try to book my tours just after the brochure is put out and when they have the $100 early bird discount (assuming they continue that offer).

Airline tickets to Europe are tricky. There is no one good time to book, IMHO. Based upon my experience, I would not recommend booking earlier than 6 months or later than 6 weeks. Warning: If you buy airline tickets very early, remember than in the event of cancellation, you often have one year from the date you bought the tickets, to use their value, NOT the date of the flight you cancelled.

I have bought tickets several times within the last two months before the trip and it worked out. My main concern is that being taller than average, I want an aisle seat. One time I got the last one, otherwise I would have been in a middle seat on an 8 hour flight to Europe. Not so good.

One strategy, if you are flexible, it to wait and see what tours go on sale. In the past the discount is about $200 - $400 and there was still time to get tickets at a reasonable price. Of course, no guarantees you will get the tour you want, when you want it. As I write this there are a number of tours on sale in specific regions, My Way tours, and general best of Europe tours. The $400 discount on the Best of Scandinavia tour in July is looking very tempting. :-)

I took this tour in 2014. I chose early spring, in order to go to the gardens. They were fabulous,even though we did miss the tulip fields surrounding the area. If you are interested in the gardens, then you might want to book the tour as soon as it is published, or keep an eye on it. The tours are supposed to be updated live. Lots of people want to experience the tulips.

A wonderful perk is you get $100 off for early booking. This is offered until some time in December.

I agree with Pam, do wait for your confirmation email. It should arrive within a day or so depending on what day of the week you submit your tour request.

I usually start checking on flights and prices when I consider a tour. I want to have a general idea which airline/which flights will work best for me. I use yapta and airfare watchdog to monitor prices. I will purchase tickets within six months. The price seems to never decrease, but only increases as desired dates approach.

One other thing to consider, you may want to add a day or two to the beginning of your trip. This will help with jet lag and for seeing sights not included with the tour. (you will need to leave one day earlier than tour start date to allow for time change).

Thanks all for the info. Yes Pam, I am planning on booking Holland/Belgium tour for 2016. I would like to go in April or May for the flowers. When are you interested in going. I think I have seen your name and reviews on RS info! LOL. I have been to Europe several times but with my sister. I am now retired and husband is too. I am trying to talk him into going with me( hopefully I will get enough money saved). If he does not want to go, I told him I would go by myself, I am a big girl!! I do plan on going about 3-4 days early before hand, not sure about at the end. I want to make sure I get there in time. Have a friend who did not get out today for her trip overseas, she is bummed (not a RS trip). I have checked flights off/ on in the past trying to get the best price, but just wanted put that question out there because I really did not know if there is a good time frame to buy the plane tickets. Guess it is just a crap shoot. I watch his tours all the time, sometimes he has some specials but never knew if Holland/Belgium was ever offered at a sale price.

Thanks all for the info. I keep watching. Happy travels.

Yes that Scandinavia one is tempting. That one, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are on my bucket list.