well with expedia they charge the card when you book it... that way you secure the rate.
I paid last years reservation in January when I booked it. but that was only just over $600 so it didn't bug me too much.
most of the hotels offer both non refundable and refundable reservations... refundable being about $5-$15 more a night. so if people want to kick in more money we can look at the refundbable ones...
as it is the prices of the nice hotels are $150 a night + for 5 rooms that $3750/17 $220 a person.
it all depends on what people are willing to spend...
I know $150 or $220 is a lot to swing in one lump payment... so maybe we can work something out to pay into a twfix paypal account...
but I'd like to reserve the room before the 1st of the year.