baggage allowance - best flights

[scoobyc]

Hi newbie here so please be gentle!
Planning on orlando at the end of november/start december this year and looking for general advice on flights. I've been half a dozen times to orlando but have always booked package deals. Last time we went with virgin and was very impressed with them especially the 2x23kg baggage allowance each! Is this the biggest baggage allowance available? Are virgin generally regarded as one iof the best operators? Is there much money to be saved by booking everything sperately or is the biggest benefit the bigger choice of hotels? Thanks greatly for taking the time to look

 

[london75]

I think all round, Virgin are the best flights, some might pip them on food or some minor detail but on the whole we've been nothing but happy.

I now book everything separately. This year got 3 adults and 1 infant for 15 nights in May for £2500 in Premium Economy and a 6 bed luxury villa in Vista Park for £1200. I don't think there is a package deal that can rival that.

In fact Virgin Holidays quoted me £6000 for the exact same holiday. As long as you make sure your insurance will cover extra nights if you get stranded due to storms etc, that is the only real benefit of a package.

I also used the Brits Guide code to book a car at Alamo which while I know some on here don't like them, we've never had a problem and that came to £400 for a standard 4x4 for 15 nights which ain't bad.

Hope that helps.

 

[wayneg]

Welcome scoobyc
We have flown with Virgin more than any other carrier to Orlando, basically they are the only Scheduled carrier from Manchester. I would say they used to be miles ahead of everyone else, now I don't think there is great deal to choose between anyone, I don't like package deals, prefer to do it all myself, but sometimes Virgin holidays have cheaper packages than me putting it together, example Oct 05, 3 of us was £2,100 flight only, package on same flights and 3 weeks hotel £1,600 ish
I have been getting great deals with Virgin Miles and money recently going again Easter Sat for 2 weeks £291+2,000 miles each
We also don't mind indirect flights, our favourite carrier is BMI (better than Virgin or BA IMHO) we did 25 nights last August peak time for £1,582 (£527 each)BMI flights and Marriott hotel
Really you have to check every option for the dates you want, if you are putting it together yourself ask again for hotel sites there are always deals for hotels at time of year you want to go.
Good luck with your planning and ask away with the questions.

 

[merlin307]

I have just arranged a holiday for 3 adults 1 7yo child - 16th to 30th April
Flights £1576 BA EDI - LGW - MCO
Accommodation - £703 (2 rooms in I Drive Inn, international drive)
Car Hire - £240 (4 door intermediate - all inclusive 14 days)
Att Tickets - £1000 (4 Disney 7 day premium hopper tickets, 4 Orlando Flexitickets)
Think I got as good a deal as I could find................
Total cost for the 4 - £3519 - thats £879.75 each inclusive of the attraction passes...pretty good deal I think, and all booked through the wonderful internet.
Shop around and the price should settle - didnt choose the cheapest hotel but the flights are a steal............

 

[kitcat1]

I did a DIY, only because I made use of the Virgin ticket sale in Aug/Sept last year so here goes. April 16-4 May, 4 adults
Virgin flights 1196
4 Bed villa, Indian creek 600
Car hire, budget 270
Attraction tickets 14 days ultimate disney 612, sea world/bush gardens 21 days unlimited 180, Kennedy 76

Totalling 2934 each person 733.50

I thought it was pretty good. Did loads of trawling through the internet but worth it in the end. As its our first time, I have asked loads of questions to try and get it all right. Now we only have a few weeks left to wait and the excitment is killing us

Cath

 

[merlin307]

I did a DIY, only because I made use of the Virgin ticket sale in Aug/Sept last year so here goes. April 16-4 May, 4 adults
Virgin flights 1196
4 Bed villa, Indian creek 600
Car hire, budget 270
Attraction tickets 14 days ultimate disney 612, sea world/bush gardens 21 days unlimited 180, Kennedy 76

Totalling 2934 each person 733.50

I thought it was pretty good. Did loads of trawling through the internet but worth it in the end. As its our first time, I have asked loads of questions to try and get it all right. Now we only have a few weeks left to wait and the excitment is killing us

Cath

I knowhow you feel.......only 24 days to go !!!!!!!

 

[scoobyc]

is there anyone place i can look up the baggage allowances, or does anybody know them?

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Question for Wayne (if your still looking at this thread)- I have found some decent flights via Chicago with BMI - as you say you like them can you give me any info on them??

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

Question for Wayne (if your still looking at this thread)- I have found some decent flights via Chicago with BMI - as you say you like them can you give me any info on them??

Thanks

We have used them twice, Man-Chicago-Mco and Man-Washington-Mco.
They did advertise more leg room in economy than Virgin or BA, don't know if is still the same, Inflight was better entertainment than Virgin from Man and food was better. I think main thing is Virgins service has gone downhill and stale in recent years, BMI still seam fresh and try a little more.
If not much diff in price I would go Virgin for the direct route but if it means saving £100+pp then I would use BMI no problem.

 

[merlin307]

is there anyone place i can look up the baggage allowances, or does anybody know them?

As far as I know
Virgin 2x23kg
BA 2x23kg
Globespan 1x20kg
US airlines (Continental/United) 2x20kg

The best way to check is to try the websites for the most recent info

 

[Lizzybear]

With TCD you can pay a flat fee for double baggage which I think is 2 x 20kg. Bit less than Virgin but quite a good allowance for a charter airline (I don't know if any other does the flat rate for double baggage, most just charge you for being overweight per kg!)

 

[jdybnsn]

Welcome scoobyc
We have flown with Virgin more than any other carrier to Orlando, basically they are the only Scheduled carrier from Manchester. I would say they used to be miles ahead of everyone else, now I don't think there is great deal to choose between anyone, I don't like package deals, prefer to do it all myself, but sometimes Virgin holidays have cheaper packages than me putting it together, example Oct 05, 3 of us was £2,100 flight only, package on same flights and 3 weeks hotel £1,600 ish
I have been getting great deals with Virgin Miles and money recently going again Easter Sat for 2 weeks £291+2,000 miles each
We also don't mind indirect flights, our favourite carrier is BMI (better than Virgin or BA IMHO) we did 25 nights last August peak time for £1,582 (£527 each)BMI flights and Marriott hotel
Really you have to check every option for the dates you want, if you are putting it together yourself ask again for hotel sites there are always deals for hotels at time of year you want to go.
Good luck with your planning and ask away with the questions.

Couldn't agree more on every aspect of your statement - especially regarding BMI - they are superb ..