cheeky??

[davidmolliesmum]

is it "cheeky" to haggle with the travel agent?? i have had a quote for next year which isnt too bad but i'd rather have the same offer one week later (which is a bit more expensive) would i be extremely cheeky to ask if we could have the date we prefer at the cheaper price??

would you? or have you??

p.s its with thomas cook... who we have booked our last 5 holidays with

 

[MyBubbles]

I would absolutely haggle- they are after your custom so it's worth the chance and you are a regular customer! The worst they can say is no, you have nothing too loose. Good luck!

 

[higgy66]

I used to work in a travel agents years ago and you can absolutely haggle!

They make commission so depending who the actual holiday is with depends on how much they will receive and how much they have to play with in discounts etc.

Alternatively a big thing is insurance. That's where they make a lot of money (or used to) so either we used to offer a better discount if they took our insurance or very little discount but they could have free insurance - the former being the better offer from the trvel agents point of view.

Also go get some prices from else where that you can quote as they will NOT want you going to their competitors.

Also "hint" at all the extra's you may be booking - airport parking or hotel stay night before etc. They will see this as potential sales and this may help.

Like the previous post says - you have nothing to lose!

 

[wayneg]

I don't use TA's any more, prefer doing DIY (last night priced up for relatives next August TC & Virgin approx £1,000 more than DIY) but the last time I did use on I got a price of the internet, printed it and took it in to Althams who I always used to use, their quote was £300 more but they had a price promise so matched it. I wouldn't hesitate to try get a TA to reduce the price.

 

[LoodlesNoodles]

Take in prices found online, but make sure they're dated as they can only match ones found on the same day. But you can absolutely haggle!
I even did this with tickets last year!

 

[dixonsontour]

Definitely!

We booked our flights and car hire through jetsave this time. I spoke to them and got a decent price - saying is that the best you can do etc. Then DH rang and said wife wants to go i'm not paying that - i'll pay x now to book with you and they said ok.

Just shows as jetsave price match on our booking paperwork.

I suspect call centre on targets or commission so eager to get the sale.

 

[madmumof2]

Yep, I found a bargain holiday online with Thomas Cook but still went to my TA and she knocked another grand off, gave us deluxe insurance for a stupidly low amount and added transfers to and from the airport once we got there. Oh and increased our baggage allowance for free.

So we got 2 weeks at POP, including loads of extras, for less than 2k for all of us.

 

[DADAD]

i spend hours on the phone to all the tas until i get to a price where they say to me take the deal that was offered by one of the others as they cant match that
have saved thousands from the first phone call the the last also push for extras to.

 

[davidmolliesmum]

have booked!!
managed to get a few hundred more off the original price by simply phoning round other TAs... all other TA's were more expensive than the original quote to begin with so i felt i was being really 'picky' asking for a further discount but as yous said "dont ask you dont get"

thanks for all your advice... now... for a new ticker!

 

[Julia Ann]

Yep, I found a bargain holiday online with Thomas Cook but still went to my TA and she knocked another grand off, gave us deluxe insurance for a stupidly low amount and added transfers to and from the airport once we got there. Oh and increased our baggage allowance for free.

So we got 2 weeks at POP, including loads of extras, for less than 2k for all of us.

WOW thats fantastic i've never haggled but after knowing this now i definately will haggle next time thanks

 

[skelfbsfb]

Thats great news, who did you book with as it TC that Im considering booking with.

 

[davidmolliesmum]

booked with TC

 

[skelfbsfb]

booked with TC

Managed to find flights for £2600, how do I get TC to price match do I take a copy of the price to their store and just ask if they will price match

 

[higgy66]

Managed to find flights for £2600, how do I get TC to price match do I take a copy of the price to their store and just ask if they will price match

You usually have to take a price in that is dated the same day as you go to the TA. i.e you can't walk in with a quote that's a week old.

bear in mind that flight only hols are not always as negotiable