Flight prices for the summer holidays?

[matty624]

As teachers we are stuck with school holidays. Unlike most people who have some flexibility, we have to go between 19th July and 1st September this year.
What prices have people managed to get for this years summer holidays?
We're paying £715/adult with Virgin. I know we could have saved some money by going indirect, but an extra £100 is worth paying to fly direct from Manchester to Orlando, at least it is for us! (ds is 4 and dd is 5!)
What are you paying?
Ian

 

[mkingdon]

Ian,

We have booked with TCD, flying direct from Manchester to Sanford on the 19th August. This is a fly drive.

Usual price for that is around £2000, however, by declining TCD's optional car insurance package (circa £400) and taking out a Nat West policy for £75 that does the same thing we got the same fly drive, including pre booked seats, for £1560. That is for 2 adults and 2 kids. £390 each if my maths are right!!

We will need to leave a CC imprint with Dollar, but that is never cashed, and I believe there are some local taxes to pay on picking up the car, but still a decent saving IMHO.

To buy the NW policy you need to be a NW customer, but there is another company who do the same policy for anyone for £99.

Both myself and my DF have done this for our next trip, and although TCD are not keen on you doing this, as this is where they make their money I would guess, they have to let you.

We too tend to holiday in the school break, and although TCD are not Virgin, they get you there, direct, in peak times for a reasonable price.

Some have had bad experieinces with TCD, I've not, but then again, some have had bad ones with Virgin.

PM me if you want further details on this policy stuff.
Cheers

Craig

 

[matty624]

Thanks Craig. We've gone with TCD before and were unfortunate to get the wrong villa, we had paid for a 3 bed villa with pool, and ended up in a 3 bed apartment on the 3rd floor of a complex. It took 2 days to sort out. Wasn't a happy camper!
I did neglect to mention, that we like to go for longer than 2 weeks. Otherwise I'd be tempted by TCDs special cabin (can't quite remember what it's called - Sunshine First?). TCD won't let you go for longer than 2 weeks, at least that is what one of their sales people told me...
We've also used the Natwest insurance, with no problems.
Still, you've got a good deal there. Much better than our rates.
Ian