2013 Flight help please

[Sid74]

Hi,

DH and I had our first no kids holiday in December 2011, for our 20th anniversary. It was a fantastic trip and we were planning on doing it again in October/ November 2013, whilst the kids were at Uni.

Unfortunately, we have just found out that our youngest DD, who's 18, is quite ill. We are now looking at taking both kids with us on this next trip, in the hope that it will spur DD on with getting well.

We would like to fly direct with Virgin, and I have just got quotes for a flydrive from VH and TCD. VH is actually cheapest at just under £3200 for 4 adults and a 7 seater with fully inclusive insurance. This is flying from Manchester on 29th October 2013 for 16 nights. We would like to stay for 21 nights, but the flights have only been released until the 14th November. I have been told that I can extend the duration of my booking when the later flights are released, but I have been given different information about whether or not I will be charged an admin fee to do this.

I have been told that as the flights out have been released we need to book now, or we won't be able to get seats when the rest of the return dates have been loaded at the end of April.

We are flying club members, but I am unsure about how to book miles and money tickets. I am unsure about whether there would be seats at 11 months out if you can only book 11 months from your flight home?

Thanks for any help.

 

[wayneg]

Oct/Nov is low season. If you are not tied to school hols you best bet is to wait until flights are released in Nov/Dec(11 months from your return date) there are usually Miles and money available.

You can look at this years prices to give you an idea what to expect. Random dates I just checked(6th-20 Nov) £519 full fare or Miles & Money £476pp so 4 people would cost £1,904 + 8,000 miles.

If you went via VH or TCD there is a fee for changing dates.

My advice would be don't rush, they never sell out of seats in low season(they struggle peak season) wait until you are certain of your dates and book end of this year or into 2013, you usually pay a high premium booking so far in advance.

 

[Sid74]

Thanks for such a fast response Wayne, I really appreciate it.

My main concern, apart from liking to be sure it is booked and sorted, is availability. I am always worried that if I leave it, we won't be able to get a flight one way or the other.

There are so many things up in the air about this trip, now that the kids are coming. But after the news we got just about tore our world apart, I really wanted something for us to look forward to, and for DD to work at getting better for.

 

[wayneg]

Very rarely do flights sell out, if they do its usually weeks before not months before.
Oct/Nov there is very little chance of selling out, just look at availability this Nov, every date there either full price or Miles & Money.

When booking for August(peak time) I start looking at 11 months out but often don't book til 6-7 months out.

Airlines & travel agents like you to think they sell out to get you to book early, in reality they very rarely sell out a flight far in advance, especially Oct Nov unless its a school hol.

 

[Sid74]

Thanks again Wayne.

We were originally looking at 24th October - 14th November 2013. But were told that there is still a premium being charged for flights at the end of half term. So we started looking at 29th October instead, as apparently, that is when the half term premium is removed.

We would like to go for Halloween, but we don't mind if it is a week, or just 2 days before.