Flights via ABD

[redzinner]

Has anyone booked their flights with ABD? If you have is it possible to ask for speciic flights on specific airlines or do they work like other tour groups? By that I mean reserving a block of seats on various airlines from various departing cities at reduced rates.
Seriously thingking of doing a Viva Italia in 2008 and I would like to get a direct flight out of Atlanta with Delta instead of something else.
Is there a down side to booking flights yourself? Will ABD still provide a transfer from the airport to the hotel in Rome if you don't book through them?
Question, questions, questions??? Glad we have some experienced ABD travelers out there already...thanks

 

[ga9497]

ABD books scheduled airfare which means that they book the flights like you would. You can also let them know the exact flight numbers if you did your research and know exactly what you want

 

[Pakey]

We have not booked flights yet. We just got our confirmation package yesterday (doing London/Paris) and it said that if you book your flights through Disney and they cancel the tour, they cover the flight. If you book on your own, you are responsible for your flight (meaning if you booked a nonrefundable, you are pretty much stuck). I don't know if they have ever cancelled a tour but that is the only downside I've seen from booking on your own.

Regardless of how you book, they will do the airport transfers as long as you are not staying before or after at a different hotel.

 

[3pirates]

We're looking at the same flights you are (out of Atlanta, doing Italy tour.) ABD said they have no special deals or anything. We're looking at using miles so they recommended we do our booking ourselves.

 

[haddenuff]

We did the VIVA trip last summer and I booked flights myself. We wnet a day early to Rome. I gave ADB my flight info and booked the extra night thru them (at the same hotel as the tour). We were met at the airport and shuttled to hotel. Very smooth.

 

[redzinner]

We did the VIVA trip last summer and I booked flights myself. We wnet a day early to Rome. I gave ADB my flight info and booked the extra night thru them (at the same hotel as the tour). We were met at the airport and shuttled to hotel. Very smooth.

THANK YOU! Now I know it can be arranged that way....

 

[ppiew]

last year I booked on my own and included several days before (in Germany) and after (Paris Disney). When the big flight scare occured, we were in Germany and had to find our own way to London to meet the ABD tour. Very costly! This year, I found the flights we wanted, called ABD and they booked it (identical price I had gotten). Definitely a HUGE feeling of security!!!

 

[behappy]

We've reserved a spot for a trip 'Down Under' in November 2008 and now I'm wondering how far in advance I can book flights (on my own, or thru ABD). Anyone know?

Thanks.

 

[ppiew]

Somewhere I remember reading that airlines posted fares 330 days in advance. I guess to be certain you would have to ck with ABD of ck on the web and see if a fare appears. Try Orbitz or some extensive search engine.

 

[dingoballs]

This website is very helpful with information on different airline schedules & air fares.... http://www.itasoftware.com

 

[jackienut]

Has anyone booked their flights with ABD? If you have is it possible to ask for speciic flights on specific airlines or do they work like other tour groups? By that I mean reserving a block of seats on various airlines from various departing cities at reduced rates.
Seriously thingking of doing a Viva Italia in 2008 and I would like to get a direct flight out of Atlanta with Delta instead of something else.
Is there a down side to booking flights yourself? Will ABD still provide a transfer from the airport to the hotel in Rome if you don't book through them?
Question, questions, questions??? Glad we have some experienced ABD travelers out there already...thanks

redzinner,
My DH just booked our flights through ABD this morning. We, too, are doing a Viva Italia in June 08. ABD originally checked flights/prices/times, etc for us with a quoted fee, but we were able to search for ourselves and get a better price through Orbitz for the very same flights. When we called back, gave them the prices, they booked them for us. Hope to see you in Italy!