How Far In Advance Do/Did You Book Your Couples Vacation?

**Jamaicalover** · September 9th, 2009, 08:23 AM

Jeff and I booked in February as I knew I wanted to celebrate my 50th at Couples in Sept. We are currently trying to decide when we want to go back next year (is our 10 year anniversary) and which resort to book. We have been to CSA and will be leaving this Saturday (wooohooo!) for CSS.

**randymon** · September 9th, 2009, 08:39 AM

Interesting discussion here. So, RDYJMJM, since I am the "person" you refer to in your post, are you saying that announcing the 2010 rates in February of 2009 AND offering savings of up to 50% AND $500 resort credit, uh...

NOT early early incentive enough to book? LOL, GEEZ!

Suppose I announced that you all can book 2011 right now at the same rate as 2010? Would you put up $100 (LoveAway) to confirm your stay now?

**Sun_princess** · September 9th, 2009, 09:44 AM

This time, we booked as soon as the flights were available, which was the end of April for February, 2010, which is 9 months. Can't wait to come home again to COUPLES CTI!

**McLeods** · September 9th, 2009, 10:09 AM

We want to book for January 2011 so Randy any "special" deals coming up would be gratefully appreciated. I'm missing my Couples family and won't get to visit in 2010 so the quicker I get booked for 2011 the better.

**twistedpalms** · September 9th, 2009, 11:59 AM

We booked 15 months in advance for next year's travels. We took advantage of the $500 credit special ($350 spa and $150 gift shop). Couples is our home and already counting the months until we return next August. We are waiting to book for 2011

) We just spent two weeks at Couples and it isn't any easier to leave than spending 8 days or 10 days there. Next year - another two weeks at 'home' with our Couples family.

**Ron & Rosa 25** · September 9th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Technically we booked our trip 10 months in advance to qualify for the spa/gift shop credits. But emotionally I booked an additional 4-5 months prior to that.

**randymon** · September 9th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Greetings to all:

Until such time as we "officially" announce our 2011 rates, we have loaded the 2010 rates onto our booking engine now for travel in 2011. In other words, for now, we are offering 2010 rates for travel in 2011. Book your stay now and confirm your 2011 rates with a deposit of only $100 (LoveAway Plan).

So...McLeods and martyandjoanne. What are you waiting for???

**Kathymom** · September 9th, 2009, 10:31 PM

My kids told me that is a compliment. Thank you

**Captain*Ron** · September 9th, 2009, 11:16 PM

1-12 months

**cj1083** · September 10th, 2009, 09:27 AM

Pretty much the day after we get back from CSA we book for the following year. It helps to ease the pain of being back in reality - ugh!

**firegirlsheetboy** · September 10th, 2009, 03:09 PM

We booked about six months ago during the special for October 2009, and another trip for October 2010.

**suniday** · September 10th, 2009, 04:13 PM

We wanted to book when the SPA credits were available, but due to illness were unable to commit. We wanted to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary (Dec. 1st) at CSA. We wanted our trip to be from Sat. 11/28 to Sat. 12/5.
We were finally comfortable with commiting and booked our anniversary trip yesterday (9/9). Unfortunately, Sat. 12/5 was no longer available AND the SPA credits were not available.
However, we were able to book Fri. 11/27 - Fri. 12/4. That has us leaving the day after Thanksgiving which I have always heard is the WORST day out of the entire year to travel.
Moral of the story: Book EARLY!!! Even 79 days in advance did not let us get exactly what we wanted and at less of a bargain!
Oh well, we're still smiling because we are going to CSA in 78 days!!!!!!!

Any tips for traveling the day after Thanksgiving? Leaving Jacksonville, Fl to Miami, FL, then to MBJ.

**dirtleg** · September 10th, 2009, 10:56 PM

We are booked for our fourth trip to CSA for next June. We have booked previous trips about 10 to 12 months out as well. Except for our first trip, which was a 25th anniversary / honeymoon which we booked about 6 months ahead. All trips have been in June, for our anniversary and when school gets out, Mrs. dirtleg is a high school teacher.

We mostly book when we can get air travel arranged at the same time, put the trip on the credit card and have it all paid off before we go. Works for us. Early booking specials are also nice. Thanks Randy!

**Vee** · September 11th, 2009, 09:08 AM

@suniday -- it's actually the day BEFORE Thanksgiving that's the worst day to travel. You should be pretty darn good leaving the day AFTER Thanksgiving. Most people will be home sleeping off the Turkey.

(The Sunday after Thanksgiving is a pretty nasty day to travel as well.)

**ironranger** · September 11th, 2009, 11:56 AM

I just booked for April 1-10 2011........locking in 2010 rates and waiting to grab any specials that come my way!!!!

**Waynel** · September 12th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by randymon

Curious minds want to know

3 to 4 months. Don't like to wait any longer!

**angienkevin** · September 12th, 2009, 11:28 PM

Usually 8-9 months for us.

Angie

**Happytimes42** · September 13th, 2009, 10:16 AM

we usually book during FILA for our December trip, so the past couple trip we booked about 11 months out. But we have already booked for Dec 2010. We booked that about 18 months out.

**trouble** · September 13th, 2009, 03:30 PM

friday afternoon, the boss said I was getting a week off without pay because times were tough.(last april) called my TA,on friday at 5 o'clock said can you get me a room and a flight for sunday, she said yes, paid top dollar for the room and the flight, 5nights at couple negril...drinking Rum and red stripe ON THE BEACH...my wife said I'm crazy but she loves me.....Irie.

**Suhrah** · September 13th, 2009, 06:14 PM

We arent going until Dec. 2010... but i wanted to take advantage of the 50%off special so we booked super early!!

**warmweatherfriend** · September 14th, 2009, 12:11 PM

We usually book thru a travel agent but many of you have mentioned "specials". Are you saying that you book your vacations yourselves at the resort when specials appear and then purchase your own airfare? If so, where specifically are you looking to find these specials? I am anticipating that I may become a repeater once we experience CN in February 2010. I have REALLY enjoyed the message board dedicated to the Couples resorts - thank you everyone.

Please share!

**mgreg** · September 17th, 2009, 05:39 PM

We booked Saturday Sept 12th for our first visit Sept 25th :-) Found a good deal online and spontainiously went for it after a very stressful week. Can't wait!