Eurostar package/cheapest options

[Tinkjon]

Has anyone ever booked a hotel & train package through Eurostar?

Am looking at booking for next Easter but it's so difficult to work out the cheapest way with all the different options! Somebody said that there's usually a 40% off and kids under 12 free offer at the end of summer and that would save us quite a lot compared to the current free nights offer. But leaving it that late to book means that the Eurostar trains will be far more expensive, I think?

Then there's the decision about whether to buy more shares to renew my shareholder membership... and the annual pass + room only option versus the all-in option... agh, my head is spinning!!

 

[Ware Bears]

Eurostar prices will only go up so I'd book that as soon as you can. Bear in mind that 40% offers aren't always across the board, sometimes it's only select hotels on select dates.

 

[Tinkjon]

Oh that's good to kow, thanks Elaine. If you book on one offer and another one turns out to be better, is that tough luck or can you get a refund (or add extras like half-board to make up the difference?) I seem to remember people taking about something like that in the past, though it does sound a bit too good to be true...

 

[Ware Bears]

We managed to do it a couple of years ago - we'd booked Newport Bay on 30% which we were more than happy with then a 40% offer came out a few months later but it was only on Admirals Floor rooms not the standard ones that we'd booked. However we were lucky and were able to upgrade to AF rooms and add the half-board plus meal plan for a very small amount more. I'm sure someone else at the same time got a refund of the difference although I was more than happy with the meal plan, didn't want to seem greedy and push my luck!

I think it can depend on the offer as some seem to be for new bookings only (although it can sometimes be worth cancelling and losing your deposit) and also it seems to depend who you get on the phone although I think there's more chance of success if you're phoning CRO at Paris rather than the UK booking number which takes you to Florida.

Best option is to always book at a price you're happy with at a hotel (and room) you're happy to stay in then if a better offer comes up and your dates are included you can try 'upgrading' (always worth trying again ..... and again ..... if not successful first time) but if it doesn't work out in your favour then you've lost nothing and have still got a great holiday to look forward to.

 

[Tinkjon]

Oh gosh, what a brilliant idea about cancelling and just losing the deposit if neccessary! I hadn't even thought of that! Fantastic, thanks Elaine.