English Corner
End of the myths: early bird discounts beat last-minute deals
Reto SuterIn the debate about early booking discounts versus last-minute bargains, critics stubbornly maintain that early booking discounts are nothing more than a lure used by tour operators to entice customers to book early. Now, a study by Holiday Check, published in «20 Minuten», has finally refuted this argument.
The study by Holiday Check examined the extent to which early booking discounts actually lead to savings. The research compared a wide range of offers over different time periods, evaluating the prices of trips booked months in advance against those of last-minute deals.
The results showed that early bookers travel up to 30 per cent cheaper on average compared to later bookings. In addition to the monetary benefits, early bookers also benefit from a wider selection of hotels and flight connections, which improves the quality of the trip.
Last-minute: tempting, but with restrictions
For tour operators, early bookings offer planning security and allow for more accurate pricing calculations. This benefits both the operators and customers, as early bookings help set prices that are more stable and fair.
Last-minute offers, on the other hand, are a double-edged sword: they may seem tempting at first glance, but they are directly related to residual items and unused capacities that do not offer the same degree of freedom of choice and quality.
The myth of the ever cheaper last-minute bargain is therefore not only misleading, but also a fallacy that sends customers on an uncertain journey with less choice and comfort. Early booking discounts are a fair offer from the travel industry that creates planning security and attractive conditions for both sides.