Expensive holidays?

[natalielongstaff]

So you have 21,120 miles between you both? Then you would only need get 1380 to buy a Miles and Money fare. 2 easy ways to get the miles get a Virgin Credit card and use it once and they give you 3,000 miles or buy 2,000 for £45.
.

I did this to bump up our Miles, its easy to do

 

[Netty]

Johnny, for the past 3 yrs we have flown Virgin PE, it was more comfortable for me than economy because of my back problem. Every time though I have booked with VA-flights. reason being, that it was so much cheaper than booking a flydrive with VH.( I always do numerous dummy runs using loads of different dates, and have yet to find VH cheaper than VA) alright, you do have to pay up front with va, but stick it on the virgin credit card as well and you get more miles!
the car is easy and cheaper to book as well, we have booked with usrentacar in the past.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Johnny, for the past 3 yrs we have flown Virgin PE, it was more comfortable for me than economy because of my back problem. Every time though I have booked with VA-flights. reason being, that it was so much cheaper than booking a flydrive with VH.( I always do numerous dummy runs using loads of different dates, and have yet to find VH cheaper than VA) alright, you do have to pay up front with va, but stick it on the virgin credit card as well and you get more miles!
the car is easy and cheaper to book as well, we have booked with usrentacar in the past.

It's only really been the last couple of holiday's where we have booked our own car, we used Usrentacar too last month.
We have also been under the 'impression' that booking a flight is not necessarily cheaper than a Fly-drive, but that is either incorrect or can depend on dates or perhaps something has changed price wise over the years.
We have also only gone PE on the last 2 holidays, mainly as I say for Joshua's benefit. If you take that £1800 off the price the picture is different, but can't go Economy again I feel...hence the thread and naturally summer price/PE/bad exchange rate = high holiday cost.

In addition it's only really been since 2006 or so where Julie was in a teaching job - so prior to then we could go at different times of the year.

We certainly have something to think about , we can't book anything yet anyway because of the dates not being ready on VirginAtlantic - we will check prices for dates available in the meantime.

Having had a chat about it last night it's clear we won't be distraught or anything if we decide not to go, based mainly on the fact we have been so lucky to have gone so many times. I suppose looking at things through Josh's situation he is growing up a bit now and we kind of want to make the most of his early years and let him have as much fun as possible. Naturally the future from the age of 15 or 16 upwards of a child with autism who is unable to talk is cloudy (and worrying) to say the least...so thinking of him also as you can appreciate.

Thanks everyone for the responses.

 

[kevin harrison]

H Johnny

As you know, I am in the same situation with my son, albeit he is younger.

We normally fly PE, this time we had a choice - do we miss out or travel economy? My wife wouldn't entertain economy due to Daniel's needs. As well as the autism, he has to be fed via a pump, which requires a lot of space.

So I rang Virgin, explained Daniel's needs and they have given me four bulkhead seats. Better than nothing and I get a cheaper holiday.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi Kev,

Yes I understand what you mean.

Until we upgraded to PE on our most recent holiday we flew Economy but also got allocated bulkhead seats via our requests.
On our outbound flight in 2006 Josh fell ill 5 hours into the flight, he has (or had) a mild Epilepsy condition (on top of his other disabilities), brought on by a number of factors, one of which was just purely being unable to get comfortable in the seats.
When he had these attacks he just falls asleep but just the pure drama of all this, on top his non verbal autism was just a nightmare.

We had already booked PE for the return flight, where we didn't have any problems - hence for this April's holiday we booked PE both ways.

Despite the fact we are now weaning him off the drugs for the condition, as we feel he is over the problem now, the difference in his comfort for our holiday last month was so much better in PE. After 2006 we didn't think we could go again for his sake, after April 2009 we think we can but only in PE.

If it was just me and Julie we would be happy in Economy, however with the above in mind despite my cost ramblings we have to go PE now.

 

[kevin harrison]

Hey - you don't need to justify anything.

Autistim leads to an increased risk of Epliepsy doesn't it? Spoke with Daniel's consultant regarding this and she avoided the subject, suffice to say there is no sign of it in him.

What are the bulkhead seats like?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hey - you don't need to justify anything.

Autistim leads to an increased risk of Epliepsy doesn't it? Spoke with Daniel's consultant regarding this and she avoided the subject, suffice to say there is no sign of it in him.

What are the bulkhead seats like?

Autism/Epilepsy there is a link yes for sure. Though Joshua's 'attacks' the last one we had was on that flight in 2006, which in itself was the only one for years when it occurred , started when he had what's called a 'febrile convulsion' in 2001 - which was around the time he was diagnosed with autism.

The bulkhead seats in Economy, presume you mean with Virgin?, are good.
Certainly from a legroom problem you have no worries, it's just the narrowness of the seats that we struggle with. You also cannot lift the armrests which you can in the other Economy seats, which can be a disadvantage if you want to sleep I suppose.
The TV screen , because there are no seats in front is basically lifted up from beneath the seat - some I am sure would say it can get in the way a little.

 

[kevin harrison]

Autism/Epilepsy there is a link yes for sure. Though Joshua's 'attacks' the last one we had was on that flight in 2006, which in itself was the only one for years when it occurred , started when he had what's called a 'febrile convulsion' in 2001 - which was around the time he was diagnosed with autism.

The bulkhead seats in Economy, presume you mean with Virgin?, are good.
Certainly from a legroom problem you have no worries, it's just the narrowness of the seats that we struggle with. You also cannot lift the armrests which you can in the other Economy seats, which can be a disadvantage if you want to sleep I suppose.
The TV screen , because there are no seats in front is basically lifted up from beneath the seat - some I am sure would say it can get in the way a little.

Yes with Virgin, thanks.

 

[Karenpowley]

Have you thought of flying with Thomsons - their prices are coming up at just under £2000 for your dates and thats with all the taxes and extra charges etc -if you want Premium its normally between £150 and £200p.p extra but their economy seats are bigger than normal anyway. We did manage to get ours for the 4 of us for this year for under 2k economy. We have chosen to travel with them again because they do a flight from our local airport EMA.We have flown Premium with them(when First Choice) it was great, but this time are going economy.Here is a link about their longhaul planes, and the new ones coming in from 2010 look very impressive. You would get your car for under £300 from somewhere like Usrentacar - ours has cost £350 for an intermediate for this July for 3 weeks.

http://www.thomson.co.uk/editorial/press-centre/33-legroom.html
I have also flown with Virgin, but think the charters are now catching up.

Hope this helps you abit.
Kx

 

[heatherbelle]

You will never get these times again with Josh, he will be grown up all too soon. If you can afford to go, then do it. Sometimes some things are priceless. Wherever you go, you'll have a lovely time.

Keep watching those prices for this August and see if they go down. Also what about giving someone like Netflights a call, they may have some flights on hold at discounted prices. I'm sure one year, I booked with them before the flights were released by VA.

Also for 2010, some schools break up late, July 23 for us, which means they won't be going back until around 08/09. That may help, depending upon Julie's teacher training days. Although some schools break up the week before too, which would be no good for the price drop prices.

 

[wayneg]

Also for 2010, some schools break up late, July 23 for us, which means they won't be going back until around 08/09. That may help, depending upon Julie's teacher training days. Although some schools break up the week before too, which would be no good for the price drop prices.

I read some schools next year are cutting to 5 weeks.
DS's school breaks up on Weds 21st July goes back Weds 1st Sept, exactly 6 weeks for him.

 

[Karenpowley]

I read some schools next year are cutting to 5 weeks.
DS's school breaks up on Weds 21st July goes back Weds 1st Sept, exactly 6 weeks for him.

That's because we only got 5 1/2 weeks last year BUT 7 1/2 this year Yaay!!!

Kx

 

[JohnnySharp2]

You will never get these times again with Josh, he will be grown up all too soon. If you can afford to go, then do it. Sometimes some things are priceless. Wherever you go, you'll have a lovely time.

Keep watching those prices for this August and see if they go down. Also what about giving someone like Netflights a call, they may have some flights on hold at discounted prices. I'm sure one year, I booked with them before the flights were released by VA.

Also for 2010, some schools break up late, July 23 for us, which means they won't be going back until around 08/09. That may help, depending upon Julie's teacher training days. Although some schools break up the week before too, which would be no good for the price drop prices.

Hi Heather,

Wise words.

Julie breaks up on the 22nd so you could have a point, the school website doesn't actually state the return date but she will ask this tomorrow.
Would prefer to go earlier in the holidays but potentially if what I think is correct we could go for 2 weeks late August and have a couple of days spare at the end before Julie/Joshua go back to school. Which is a lower price bracket for Virgin Holidays.

In addition both me and Julie now have the 20,000 or so miles on flying club accounts - registering Joshua by letter.

 

[luchamouse]

Johnny, I feel the same way as you. We can afford it, we also have child with special needs and she needs routine above all else...

But MAN it's costly. We could've added a much needed utility room and wet room onto our house with what we spent last year. It's crazy.

I think it's time to start looking at France or Italy for next year. We've been 4times now and maybe a break of a year or two wouldn't be such a bad thing.

As I type this I'm breaking out in a cold sweat

Johnny, I also meant to thank you and Wayne for your guidance early this year when I was ruminating on accommodation. I went with a townhouse in WH and I am so thrilled that we're trying this option. The kids are going wild at the prospect of a splash pool. I'm glad you're still posting. You are a wealth of information.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Johnny, I feel the same way as you. We can afford it, we also have child with special needs and she needs routine above all else...

But MAN it's costly. We could've added a much needed utility room and wet room onto our house with what we spent last year. It's crazy.

I think it's time to start looking at France or Italy for next year. We've been 4times now and maybe a break of a year or two wouldn't be such a bad thing.

As I type this I'm breaking out in a cold sweat

Johnny, I also meant to thank you and Wayne for your guidance early this year when I was ruminating on accommodation. I went with a townhouse in WH and I am so thrilled that we're trying this option. The kids are going wild at the prospect of a splash pool. I'm glad you're still posting. You are a wealth of information.

Yes I know prices are crazy, to be honest as I have said we are thinking of Joshua more than anything, in a few years time going to Florida may be out of the question for us.

Sometimes a break is a good thing I agree, as you will know with your daughter it can be stressful and demanding sometimes so holidays can be one of the outlets we have to relax and enjoy ourselves.

Thanks for the 'guidance' compliment I appreciate it - has made my day actually for many reasons. WH is a smashing resort.

 

[kevin harrison]

Our children will remember these holidays as they grow up, the money we have spent would amount to a fortune and easily pay for a sensory room for Daniel. That can come later, his childhood comes first.