Timing is Everything
Most of these special offers are good either four months/120 days or six months/180 days in advance of your travel date. Generally, they will only apply when you are paying in full by that early date. Is this the best choice for you? Maybe not, if liquidity is important to you. On the other hand, it may be reassuring to think that by the time you actually go on the trip, you've already paid for it.
Booking far in advance also rules out discounts on travel insurance for booking just before a trip date. While the money saved on the travel insurance may not be substantial, at least one major travel insurance company, waives the pre-existing health conditions clause if you pay for your trip less than two weeks before the departure date. This can be important if you, your companion, or a close family member at home is dealing with a health issue.
Watch out for Cut-off Dates
Note: Cut-off dates can be tricky. For example, if your travel date is June 15, a literal interpretation based on sixteen weeks for "four months" before will mean you must book by February 24th. Surprised? Don't be when it comes time to book your tickets. It's not always the date that seems most logical. A 120-day discount would land on February 16th. Quick logic would say it would be February 15th; in a leap year, it would be off by another day. While this kind of nitpicking will only apply to those troubled souls who like to both plan in advance and wait until the last possible minute to do their advance planning, when it comes to saving money, it's worth finding out exactly when that cut-off day is for your trip.
For the rest of us, here are some loose guidelines.
If you're traveling in:
January travel dates - early booking discounts end between June - August of the previous year
February - early booking discounts end during July - September of the previous year.
March - early booking discounts end between August - October of the previous year.
April - early booking discounts end between September - November of the previous year.
May - early booking discounts end between October - December of the previous year.
June - early booking discounts end between November - January.
July - early booking discounts end between December - February.
August - early booking discounts end between January and April.
September - early booking discounts end between March and May.
October - early booking discounts end between April and June.
November - early booking discounts end between May and September.
December - early booking discounts end between June and August.
It's Never Too Late to Save Money
Uh-oh - too late for your trip? Maybe not. Many providers also offer late booking discounts. With smaller outfits, if you're the passenger that means the trip is a go or not, these rewards for procrastinators can be considerable - sometimes even more than an early-booking discount, though you may wipe out the savings with higher airfares.
Compare airfares to Greece here: Find Greek Airfares
Compare Rates on Car Rentals in Greece: Rent Cars in Greece Note: Use the Eleftherios Venizelos option if you need rates from the Athens International Airport at Spata.
