Easter 2007 - How much!!!!!

[Soprano]

The only way to stop these prices would be a complete overhaul in our school holidays. A series of two/three week breaks through out the year would give people greater choice when to travel and in theory, enable us to make a saving. I cannot see this ever happening myself, unless all of Europe agrees.

My work is very involved with the EU and when August arrives all our work dries up until mid-September because most of Europe has August off.

One of the things which bug me about holiday firms is the Fuel Surcharge which is now added. I have no doubt this tax is rounded up. Since booking my holiday, it has risen twice.

A bone I want to pick with Virgin is their £25 per person admin fee on any adjustments made even when there is four months before my travel date.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

A bone I want to pick with Virgin is their £25 per person admin fee on any adjustments made even when there is four months before my travel date.

..and another bone to pick with Virgin is their 'peak flight supplement', as if they do not already charge enough , they put their fly-drive prices in the brochure alongside the dates and then for August they add the supplement when you book.
Why not just put the correct price there in the 1st place? It is there in small print instead.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

..and another bone to pick with Virgin is their 'peak flight supplement', as if they do not already charge enough , they put their fly-drive prices in the brochure alongside the dates and then for August they add the supplement when you book.
Why not just put the correct price there in the 1st place? It is there in small print instead.

And the fact that the fuel surcharge does not come down very easily, if at all, but is quick to be applied.

 

[carolfoy]

Ah Yes, what about the companies that do an 'underoccupancy' charge for x amount of adults NOT being in the apartment - THEN add child prices for the kids who ARE, I guess we could all go on and on but until, like Soprano said, 'Europe' allow us to live our lives the way we want to I guess it ain't gonna happen.

 

[Kaslee]

Try asking your TA for flight only using cheapest connecting flights. We could not afford Virgin, BA etc for our Easter 06 trip, but our TA got us flights to Orlando International from Gatwick via Detroit for just under £500 each adult. This included all taxes and is using Northwest Airlines. This is the first time we have had connecting flights and have decided to view it as an adventure. (hopefully not too much of an adventure). This is the ONLY way we could afford to go at Easter.

 

[mark&sue]

Each local authority should stagger their school holidays as simple as that.

Every time you hear that someone got a cheap flight out of season just remember that we are paying for it when we go at peak time. There is no such thing as a free lunch as they say. When we say well done to the DISer or friend who got a cheap flight it is the rest of us who are paying.

Still I won't complain in four years and seven months when we will take cheaper flights!!!

Good luck everyone as we may not be able to afford any more holidays if they keep going up the crazy way they are going.


Susan

 

[Hilary]

duplicate post

 

[Hilary]

The cynic in me tends to think that the introduction of staggered school holiday dates will lead to more peak fares and fewer off peak lower fares, rather then bring down the cost of the current main holiday date fares.


The last time we went to Florida at Easter we took DDs out of school for the last three days of the spring term to fly the last date before Virgin's fares went up - we saved over £300 each by doing this! However, I appreciate that not everyone can / wants to miss any term time (especially teachers and school workers).

 

[mark&sue]

In fact it is not only a question of price. We all want the same flights as well. I certainly feel really relieved when I have managed to book my extremely overpriced holiday just because I have managed to get a date and flight I wanted.

I also have to fight with other members of staff for the weeks I want. I dread asking my boss for annual leave and really do get myself into a state before I ask and she always keeps me waiting before she gives me the go ahead. I don't dare ask for summer holidays anymore and have kept to October half term taking DD out of school for just over a week each time, as my boss doesn't seem to like this school holidays as much as the others!!!


Susan

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The cynic in me tends to think that the introduction of staggered school holiday dates will lead to more peak fares and fewer off peak lower fares, rather then bring down the cost of the current main holiday date fares.


The last time we went to Florida at Easter we took DDs out of school for the last three days of the spring term to fly the last date before Virgin's fares went up - we saved over £300 each by doing this! However, I appreciate that not everyone can / wants to miss any term time (especially teachers and school workers).

Yes, to be honest we have had some bargain prices over the years, and next year we did have an April holiday booked which was £489 for me and my wife, cannot remember Joshua's price..but because she now works as full time teacher we have to go in the summer holidays...we could take Josh out of school and have done in the past, but it's impossible for my wife so we moved to August and are paying £829 now.

At least we are going for 3 weeks, and the crowds should be quiet middle of August onwards and we are visiting Fort Lauderdale/Miami again so we have a great holiday lined up.

 

[KWJR]

Try asking your TA for flight only using cheapest connecting flights. We could not afford Virgin, BA etc for our Easter 06 trip, but our TA got us flights to Orlando International from Gatwick via Detroit for just under £500 each adult. This included all taxes and is using Northwest Airlines. This is the first time we have had connecting flights and have decided to view it as an adventure. (hopefully not too much of an adventure). This is the ONLY way we could afford to go at Easter.

I agree with you Kaslee – If you go through established Companies for a package at Peak times such as Easter, School Hols etc., you’re gonna get hammered. Frankly, the numbers Virgin & TCD quoted when initially making enquiries for our Easter 2006 break were astronomical . I’m just a humble local govt. officer and I honestly don’t know how people can afford such ridiculous sums of money. Anyway, I’m too careful(mean!?) to the line shareholders pockets of these Companies. Therefore, I started some serious internet research for independent flights, hotel, car hire & tickets. It’s not as easy as handing over a sackful of cash to a TA but, luckily, I enjoy that sort of research. By going 3 Days before the kids officially break for Easter, and let’s face it - the kids are just winding down the last week before such a break, I have saved £300 on flights. We are going Manchester – Atlanta – MCO with Delta Airlines and, similar to Kaslee will treat it as part of the holiday. Also, with the help of Bon Voyage TA saved $20 a night on a quad room at Quality Inn Plaza. [Unless I win the pools/lottery, WD hotels are totally out of the question]. I also intend finding the best balance between price and VFM when choosing what tickets to buy and what type of car to hire. This then renders our holiday affordable and I can relax and enjoy it without the seething thought at the back of my mind that I’ve been ripped off. As an added bonus, the Interest free for 9 Month Credit Card can be cleared in the requisite period.

May I thank all the contributors to this site who give some brilliant tips and websites to assist in my quest. We can rant and rave about the prices charged at school holiday times but you know in your heart of hearts that nowt will change. So, instead of ranting, put your time to a more useful purpose of research and saving.

Here endeth the first lessson -
Keith

 

[Olaf]

I certainly wouldn't hold the German economy up as an example to the UK. It's those very benefits you were mentioning that have gotten them in such a ridiculous situation vis-a-vis the unions and big business.

We have the same problems here in the states with school holidays. They do try and stagger the spring break, and summer breaks, but it doesn't help much. It's just the cost we pay for our little darlings. I am looking forward to the day when DH and I can hop down to WDW during September or January, but in the meantime, I'll enjoy our DS's childhood.

Have you guys tried checking with some of the US airlines. You can run a search at Yahootravel and if something pops up, go to that particular airline and run another search. I have noticed that the rates for the upcoming Spring break are rather high. We'll probably end up driving(14 hours ), but it's not like you have that option. Here's the link to Yahoo if you're interested. I don't think you can search for flights in 2007 though.

http://travel.yahoo.com/

 

[mark&sue]

I hate flying and like convenience. Which adds up to being prepared to pay extra for a direct, non-stop flight. I especially dislike take offs and am sad to say would pay £££s to have as less take offs as possible.

Good point about enjoying our children's childhood as I constantly think about going out of season. For me it is not so much about money but not having to beg for my boss for annual leave at a time everybody wants it.

Have a great Xmas everyone.


Susan