Study Finds One in Five Early Bookers Lose Money as Prices Drop
A recent survey of 2,000 recent travelers shows that 20% of meticulous planners see their booked flights or hotels become cheaper later, while another 10% incur costs when changing rigid reservations.
A survey of 2,000 adults who have travelled internationally in the last three years analysed whether travellers identify more with a structured, Type A personality or a relaxed, Type B approach. The findings reveal that 20% of Type A travellers later found the exact flight or hotel they had booked available at a significantly lower price, and an additional 10% incurred expenses when trying to amend or cancel inflexible reservations.
While 73% of Type As view booking a week before departure as risky, 36% of Type Bs are comfortable with minimal planning and believe they can still secure their desired destination. The research, commissioned by lastminute.com, coincides with the launch of its Travel Bgents platform, which offers extra discounts to spontaneous travellers. Company spokesperson Zoë Fidler argued that Type B travellers are not careless but rather savvy, using delayed booking to obtain better deals and memorable experiences. Nonetheless, 25% of respondents expressed a desire to adopt a more spontaneous booking style.
Why it matters
Understanding how booking timing affects costs helps travelers choose strategies that could save money and improve holiday experiences.
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