Cheapest place to book Virgin Fly-Drive?

[kevin harrison]

Hi

I am after some info on the best place to buy Fly - Drive's from Virgin - any ideas?

I am a frequent Virgin so do travel agents tend to match the 10% discount I normally get?

[WDW-UK]

I am flying with Virgin at Easter and tried everywhere to get the best deal.

In the end I purchased my flight through Virgin Atlantic direct via the web and booked my car separately. Saving a fortune.

[steve_rob]

I'd recommend that route as well. If you're a Frequent Virgin, I don't think you'll find anyone that will give you a price cheaper than your discount on the flight.

However, you certainly can get the car + insurance a LOT cheaper by shopping elsewhere. I'd recommend Airline Network (http://www.airnet.co.uk) as they also offer Dollar Platinum packages, but at a much lower cost.

[kevin harrison]

How do I just book flights and get the 10% discount? Is the 10% discount good for booking with Virgin Atlantic? you can't just book flights with Virgin holidays as far as I know.

[DisneyBB]

Try Funway holidays, they worked out £500 cheaper for our Dec05 hols than VH.

[mrsminniemouse]

Hi Kevin
I asked the same question a week or so ago. I tried all of the companies suggested but nobody could beat the Frequent Virgin price for our Sept trip. I am quite relieved actually as I feel safer booking with Virgin. Their customer care is good and they actually answer the phone unlike some of the companies I tried who leave you on hold for ages.

Mandy

[kevin harrison]

How's this for an idea???

Book a flydrive with Virgin - premium economy, but take no car insurance out and never pick the car up? This way I get the 10% frequent flyer discount and can book my car using Airline Network like Steve_Rob suggested.

Would this be viable???

[Miffy2003]

That's what I do Kevin :)

[kevin harrison]

Miffy does this cause any problems?

[Miffy2003]

Not at all (though you have to fight off the Virgin reps who assume because you've got Virgin luggage labels you must have booked one of their cars ;))

The other thing to do (I've not done this myself) is to take Virgin's (free) car and refuse their expensive insurance and arrange your own. If you have a NatWest credit card I think it's £75 and you can get the same insurance for £99 if you don't have a NatWest card. I've not done this myself though.

I'm sure there was a thread about this recently, I'll have a look and post a link!

[Miffy2003]

Here it is Kevin! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=716155)

Hope that helps :)

[kevin harrison]

Here it is Kevin! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=716155)

Hope that helps :)

I just thought of booking a fly - drive, but never picking the car up, just arranging a rental myself. I don't fancy arguing about insurance after a 9 hour flight.

How many times have you done this Miffy and who do you use for your car?

[Hilary]

Kevin, please don't worry about collecting the 'free rental' Dollar car from Virgin after arranging your own insurance. We've done this three or four times with no complications.

[Miffy2003]

Kevin we've done it twice and I know lots of others who've done the same. To be honest another time I would get the insurance Hilary's had and take the free car from Virgin - I didn't realise / wasn't confident enough to do it last time but I definitely would now.

Last time we used Airline Network

[DisneyBB]

We have taken our own insurance out for the "free" car and it has worked out fine. In fact Dollar do not even look at the documentation. It is becoming more common now. It works out far cheaper than doing your own car rental.