Disappointing or an Opportunity

[Cochise]

Just phoned our travel agent to ensure they get the seats we want on the Virgin flight, i nearly fell off the chair when they advised me that we were being bumped to a US Airways flight on the same date but we will have to connect to an internal flight in Philadelphia. Needless to say told them this was not acceptable. They came back with the fact that unless we change dates with Virgin then there were no other direct flights left. We have been offered the full deposit back as it is not our fault.

What would people recommend ?

Stay with Tradewinds and look for another date with the virgin flight which will have to be carefull chosen due to the half term.

Accept the US Airways flight with the connection.

Cancel and see this as an opportunity to look for a better deal by booking over t'internet and taking a direct flight deal to Orlando Sandford.

Any opinions ?

 

[florida sun]

Well and this is only my opinion Rob, the hassle of having to change flights, would be a real bummer to me, espescally with 2 little ones, once I'm on that plane I dont want to get off until I am at my final destination, that said if you are tied into specfic dates then you might just have to grin and bear it.

If you have the time to look around now and see if you can have the oppertunity to get a direct flight, I would. I always fly direct into Sanford, I know it's a little further to WDW, but I rather that than have to change flights. I know Direct Holidays run flights direct into Sanford most of the year, but how much they would be now, I'm not sure.

Good Luck and let me know how you get on.

Sue

 

[SEVANS2208]

Oh, what a hassle - at least you have still have time to look for alternatives.

have they given as reason as to why you can't stay with your original flight?

I'd find out what refund/compensation you'd get if you decide to go ahead with the option of US airways with the connection, and in the meantime have a hunt round to see what else you could get if you cancelled this completely.

 

[Cochise]

This far out I will struggle to getting anything out of Tradewinds surely ?

I would be happy getting bumped to a better seat i suppose but i think the best idea might be to set something up as an alternative then go back to the agent and see what i can get. They regard the US Airways flight as superior so not much hope

I dont want to play with dates due to the time we are going is what i conside the best for us.

 

[florida sun]

Rob, can I just ask you what airport your flying from, were these flights only and what were the costs? I have plenty of time on my hands today, and I can have a good search for you if you want. I still think even though they might class the airline as superior, the fact that you have to have an internal flight change does not sound like a good deal to me. The fact that they are offering you a full refund sounds as if they know this is a bum deal.

Sue

 

[allie5]

Hmmm, Rob thats interesting.

I orginally booked (with Virgin) Oct 14th 05, but had a bit of a bust up with Virgin when they introduced a special offer a few weeks after I booked.

I eventually got them to apply the discount, BUT they said they would have to create a new booking to do so. They then told me that all the flights for Oct 14th were now fully booked! That was last September / October time. We changed to Oct 13th (no bother for us). I couldnt understand how, if we had ORGINALLY got 4 seats on the 14th, why, when she simply rebooked then and there, the flight had mysteriously sold out in 3 seconds???

Expedia are showing seats available for the 13th (VS027), but they arent cheap at nearly £700.

Unfortunately, its a very busy time and (as I was looking for a flight for my mum to be able to join us) I have found no direct flights less than £600.

Personally, I wouldnt go with the other flight...thats not acceptable with small kids IMHO.

I would give TCD a ring and see what they have. Also, try the Mytravel website as they have good offers.

Good luck. I bet you must be gutted though.

 

[florida sun]

Rob

Just checked on TCD and I cant bring up flights only, but their flydrive quote for leaving from Manchester into Sanford on the 14th October is coming out at £479 per person per flight, that was main cabin, but of course they then put the car and insurence on top,bringing the total to about 2400, not sure what flight only would be.


Sue

 

[Cochise]

Sue,

I was away in a meeting, end of year report type things.

I booked through Going Places with Tradewinds, the flights were from Manchester I would be happy for a direct flight to Sandford from M'cr. I have a great quote for a fully inclusive deal on the car so not bothered about that.

Thanks for your help. I am only on dial up at home so i am limited for looking at the weekend.

Thanks to everyone else too

 

[florida sun]

Rob

Sent you a PM.

Sue

 

[vicky1bfc]

As far as i was aware tcd don't do just flights.

 

[florida sun]

Rob some more pms in your inbox


Sue

 

[ford family]

For what it is worth, we do the "hubbing" method more often than not. For October half term with two teens we are using Delta via Atlanta, booked some time ago on Expedia for £375 each. The flight change takes about 90 minutes but you go through immigration then so at MCO you walk straight out as a domestic arrival.
We are going out to Tampa for a few days later in April to look at houses, again Delta via Atlanta, this time without children, for £314, booked recently on Expedia.

ford family

 

[Cochise]

Thanks FF, its not first choice scenario but i have got back to the agent and upped the anti a little but remaining very polite and flirty

They are in discusssion with tradewinds now over this, i advised i expect something a bit special from them to not book elsewhere. I think we deserve a break really after the last few weeks we have had.

 

[Miffy2003]

No advice Rob - it's been given already!

But I hope you sort something out

I think Tradewinds should be offering you a little more than just your deposit back, IMHO. You booked with them in good faith and I think a goodwill gesture on their part would not be an unreasonable expectation!

 

[Cochise]

Lets hope so, i have read the t & c and they can tell me to whistle i would say but going places chorley are doing their best.

Sue has been really great looking for alternatives for me

 

[Miffy2003]

Sue is a star, it must be said

Good luck Rob!

 

[Cochise]

Got the runaround off Going Places today, quite strange that a company that is part of the same group as tradewinds doesnt know that the "people" who can sort my dilema out dont work on Saturday. I am going to finish work on Monday at 3pm and refuse to budge from their shop until they sort something out. I better take my butties, should be interesting at 5.30

 

[Cochise]

Finally decided to cancel today with no charge.

Got a quote from Sky Deals for the QI Int Dr for 20 nights with AA (34 inch seat pitch standard what a bonus) and a car with all the platinum insurance included for £2490. Some of the prices without a car and for 14 nights are hundreds more than this at the moment. Just want to check out the prices of their other hotels to make sure. Looks like we have turned up ok

 

[Ware Bears]

Promising news, Rob. How does this price compare with your original booking?

 

[Cochise]

If we take off the Airline Network 21 day charge for a full size car with full insurance and Platinum upgrade from the actual final booking we sort of hit the £2050 mark. The original hols costed at £2300. 6 nights extra for a saving of £250. Have to see how it all works out, i want to use this extra cash to upgrade at the Barcelo, the DW is a little reluctant.