Travel w/friends, how would you handle?

[vanillacourage]

DH and I are taking a big kid-free vacation in May.  We talked with some friends (with whom we've traveled before) and they said they really wanted to go, but had to crunch the numbers.  This was on Friday.  How long would you wait to ask them about it again?  I want to respect their MM-ness.    But, at the same time I'm sort of anxious to book because if they don't come, we already know where we want to go and we need specific flight times that may sell out. 

[soozy87]

If you want them to come, wait a week. If you want to go on your own, double check sooner and tell them where/when you are booking 2 tickets for.

[steph96]

Can't you go ahead and book? Surely you guys can take separate flights.

I would wait until Friday to ask them unless it is someone that you actually see before then.

[RoxMonster]

I would wait a week then bring it up again. "Hey were you still interested in vacationing with us in May? If not, H and I are booking this weekend." Then if they say no or won't give a definite answer, I'd go ahead and book. As someone else said, if they decide later to come, couldn't they just take a different flight to same location?

[CloudBee]

In 5-7 days I would shoot a casual email saying "hi - we're wanting to book our flights and hotel, have you decided if you can join us?" That should break the ice for responding to tell them you're going to go ahead and book your flights, etc., if they are still unsure or are unable to afford the trip.

[vanillacourage]

Yes, we would love for them to go with us. They're some of our best friends and good travel companions.  We've done similar trips with them before and split up time to do things with just our spouses, so it's  a good mix. 

We will probably take separate flights no matter what b/c of the specifics of what DH and I need time-wise; but, if they do want to come we're open to alternate destinations.

[Deleted]

Good friends I'd send a quick email saying "when will you know by? I'm anxious to book tickets to x but will wait if you are coming so you have input on the destination"

Or I'd just book and let them know where you're going if they decide to join you.

[Ashley&Scott]

I would give them 5-7 days, then ask again.

[shopgirl07]

I'd just book your vacation now. People always talk about these things but 99% of the time don't follow through.

[Deleted]

If they are good friends I don't see anything wrong with letting them know you are eager to book sooner rather than later, explaining your rationale, and asking when they'll know. I wouldn't be a jerk about it and I'd be clear that you are not trying to pressure them, but I'm honest with my friends about these things.

[ddi741]

I would book my trip and then send them an email saying we booked our room @ X hotel and our flights @ XX time and that you hope that once they have a chance to look over everything that they decide to join you.

I have been burned too many times waiting for people to make up their minds or changing my travel plans to accomodate someone else only to have them decide they aren't going.

[nonsenseabound]

Sounds like this has worked for you in the past. I would just set a deadline for them to say yes or no with the caveat that they can always join you if they choose but you need to book now for various reasons.

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2013 15:36:29 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

I'd just book your vacation now. People always talk about these things but 99% of the time don't follow through.

We went to Paris, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Philadelphia with friends last year.  These things do happen.

I'd probably follow up in 1-2 weeks, unless you have new info (like a good deal on something) to update them with.

[Deleted]

We've gone on three trips now with friends in the past 4 months. We've really enjoyed all of them.

It really would depend on the timeline of the trip for how long I would give them. If it is 3-4 months out I would give them a week-week and a half, it if is any sooner I would give it half a week to a week and then check back with them letting them know that you want to get specific tickets booked and that you are worried they will sell out.

If they want to go, they won't be offended that you are checking back with them.

[ECB]

Jan 21, 2013 15:42:00 GMT -5 @carmensandiego said:

If they are good friends I don't see anything wrong with letting them know you are eager to book sooner rather than later, explaining your rationale, and asking when they'll know. I wouldn't be a jerk about it and I'd be clear that you are not trying to pressure them, but I'm honest with my friends about these things.

This is where I fall. 

[chessie]

I would just call them up a few days later, let them know you would like to book X trip by X date- so you can get your dates in order, book everything and request the time off.