I'm looking to book a vacation to Maui, Hawaii.  I have found several
sites (like http://www.aavacations.com) that allow you to book a
vacation package with a minimal deposit and then pay the balance at a
later date (with the total cost due 30 days before travel starts). 
The catch is they all only allow the booking of coach airfare.  I am
interested in booking first class tickets.  Are there any sites,
travel agents, or agencies that do this?

I'm looking to travel between Dec 12-19.  I'd be leaving from Austin,
TX.  I'd prefer to travel on American Airlines, but am flexible.  I'm
looking to stay at the Four Seasons but would consider other
comparable hotels.

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Request for Question Clarification by leader-ga on 01 May 2003 11:38 PDT

Hello gilgamesh-ga:

I have been able to track down four travel agencies which offer its
clients to book customized vacation packages and than pay at a later
date. It gives you more flexibility to choose your class, hotel etc.
If you are interested in the kind of travel agencies, I will post my
answer as a comment and than only if you like it, you can ask me to
post it as an answer. This will allow you to have more information
even if you don't like my answer (since, it will be posted as a
comment). Thanks. Waiting for your reply.

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Clarification of Question by gilgamesh-ga on 01 May 2003 13:02 PDT

Hi leader-ga,

If you don't mind posting it as a comment, that would be great.  I'm
looking forward to hearing what you find.

If I might suggest.  I am a travel agent.  But I do not do customize
packages...just cruise packages.

My suggestion is that you should not book something through the
internet.  Book it through a travel agent (speak to them live)  Reason
is because of world events i.e. Sars, war etc.  if the tour operater
cancels your reservation because of what is going on in the world you
may run into problems if it was booked over the internet.  First
problem is you most likely will not be notified of the cancellation
and will be at the airport waiting to get on the plane and soon to the
beach....but with no reservation. Also over the internet you have no
one to fight to get your money back or to rebook your reservation so
your free time is spent doing that.  And it is hard to get your money
back if you book it over the internet.  Just a suggestion.....