'good' flight price

[chocolateMinnie]

So for six out of the last seven trips we have booked a package. Curious to know if you book a flight separately what do you class as a good/average/expensive price for August?

We would definitely have to fly direct as DH hates take off and landing and getting him to do it once is difficult enough

Wouldn't have a problem with Sanford though would prefer MCO for DME.

Also do you book early for a good deal or wait for sales/last minute?

All advice appreciated

 

[wilma-bride]

I think what you consider as a 'good' flight price is very subjective. For me, it equates to what I can afford to (and am prepared to) pay.

I think, generally, from what I've seen scheduled flight prices are hugely expensive this (and next) year. We travelled in August last year (11-30 August) and paid just over £700 each with VA (miles + money). I considered that a 'good' price for direct flights in the school holidays.

 

[MrRomance]

So for six out of the last seven trips we have booked a package. Curious to know if you book a flight separately what do you class as a good/average/expensive price for August?

We would definitely have to fly direct as DH hates take off and landing and getting him to do it once is difficult enough

Wouldn't have a problem with Sanford though would prefer MCO for DME.

Also do you book early for a good deal or wait for sales/last minute?

All advice appreciated

As the PP said, it is extremely subjective and in many cases determined by the person concerned. Last year, for our Late July/ Early August trip, we flew indirect (via Paris) for £505 each but I have no experience of August direct other than in a package. In my view, based on this years prices, anything under £800 each for August direct would be a decent price for me.

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

I think, generally, from what I've seen scheduled flight prices are hugely expensive this (and next) year. We travelled in August last year (11-30 August) and paid just over £700 each with VA (miles + money). I considered that a 'good' price for direct flights in the school holidays.

When did you buy at that price? I would be happy with that,i have 64000 miles lying around

 

[StarWarsJez]

Since August is one of the most expensive months you might want to at least look and see if you could do it outside of the core holiday period. For example you can get flights typically in may/early June or September for just over half what it may end up costing for July/Aug.

Personally I much prefer DIY as I believe it saves me a lot but it's maybe worth getting a quote from a tour operator to see what price you have to 'beat'. Also we prefer a villa and pool over a hotel but I know others prefer a hotel.

 

[Minniesgal]

Have a look on Kayak they compare airlines and prices. We found August very expensive this year. We booked the day the flights first came out and paid £1100 each for VA PE. We had miles but couldn't find any reward flights.

 

[wilma-bride]

When did you buy at that price? I would be happy with that,i have 64000 miles lying around

We booked it the previous November. Sorry, forgot to mention that was for LGW to MIA (although MCO was only slightly more - we wanted to fly into MIA as we were starting our trip in the Keys).

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Thanks for all the feedback. Afraid i work in a school and so don't get an option when I go - can't go at the beginning or end of the summer holidays as I need to be in the school so tied to a four week option.

Have also got lots of virgin miles which I've never tried to use - would you book early or late?

Great to get everyone's feedback and I appreciate that a bargain for one isn't to another. Don't really want to do a package this year as Virgin aren't offering the OKW deal at the moment and the others will all charge a ridiculous amount for my two kids

 

[flortlebap]

We just paid £1,200 apiece for economy with VA - but it was very last minute and on the more expensive of the two flights of the day. With miles + money and a different flight it would have been £900.

Thomas Cook were offering direct for £650 - but the reviews of the airline looked horrendous and some of the airplanes had no in flight entertainment

 

[StarWarsJez]

We just paid £1,200 apiece for economy with VA - but it was very last minute and on the more expensive of the two flights of the day. With miles + money and a different flight it would have been £900.

Thomas Cook were offering direct for £650 - but the reviews of the airline looked horrendous and some of the airplanes had no in flight entertainment

Thomas Cook flights are not that bad at all, i think I would 'risked' the limited chance of no inflight entertainment and saved (almost) half the cost!

Sorry, but £1200 for economy tickets is daft!

 

[Samaya]

When did you buy at that price? I would be happy with that,i have 64000 miles lying around

Realise you're looking for an August flight but keep an eye out for Reward Seat Sales with Virgin's Flying Club as sometimes they have reduced miles to MCO.

The current offer; flights between November and April, 25% less miles, so 33,000 instead of 45,000 with a lower surcharge.

For two seats next March we used 66,000 plus a charge of £421.90. We were very happy to get direct flights to MCO for £210.80 each.

Might be worth trying to build up another 2,000 miles so you're also up to 66,000 just in case this offer comes up again for your dates.

If you don't have the Virgin credit card then check out this thread which I just posted, as it another way to build up miles. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3124960

This offer ends 17th June, and if there's no offer's on when you book then you could use 45,000 miles for one reduced fare and the 2,000 miles per seat for Miles plus Money fares.

Good luck.

 

[flortlebap]

Thomas Cook flights are not that bad at all, i think I would 'risked' the limited chance of no inflight entertainment and saved (almost) half the cost!

Sorry, but £1200 for economy tickets is daft!

I'm a nervous flyer so I didn't want to spend the whole time worrying about the flight, then hating the whole ten hours. At least with VA I know I'm comfortable.

Plus, we saved £1,000 on the hotel and we could afford it for once so why not

 

[joolz1910]

These August flight prices are scaring me! Like the OP, I work in a school, so don't have any option but to go in August as we want to go for longer than 14 days. Even at £700 pp, that would be £3500 for my family.

 

[flortlebap]

These August flight prices are scaring me! Like the OP, I work in a school, so don't have any option but to go in August as we want to go for longer than 14 days. Even at £700 pp, that would be £3500 for my family.

That was the problem we had last year (and the reason we couldn't afford to go for six years!!!)

For 7 of us with DDP, CSR for 15 nights (2 rooms eugh) Universal tix, VA direct, and Disney tix during school holidays we ended up paying about 9k just because it was during school holidays. Out of holidays it was about a third less!!! We will NEVER be able to afford it again unles we win the lottery!!!

However... I'm always on the look out for cheap deals so let me know if you get anything for 2014

 

[joolz1910]

That was the problem we had last year (and the reason we couldn't afford to go for six years!!!)

For 7 of us with DDP, CSR for 15 nights (2 rooms eugh) Universal tix, VA direct, and Disney tix during school holidays we ended up paying about 9k just because it was during school holidays. Out of holidays it was about a third less!!! We will NEVER be able to afford it again unles we win the lottery!!!

However... I'm always on the look out for cheap deals so let me know if you get anything for 2014

We are a family of 5 (who couldn't cope being in one room) so we booked a 1 bed at OKW. Would it be cheaper for you to book a 2 bed at OKW/SSR? I had hoped to get 17 days with 14 at OKW and 2/3 at RPR plus Seaworld tickets for around 9k. Think we might struggle to do that.

 

[higgy66]

Sometimes you still need to look at packages just in case....

I've booked with charter travel for next year and when I priced up the hotel/tkts/DDP with Disney it means I've been charged £740 for direct Virgin flights in August

After doing some research I'm happy with that as I had specific days I wanted to travel so wasn't that flexible

I'm sure I could have got cheaper indirect but at that price I'm happy to go direct

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Thomas Cook flights are not that bad at all, i think I would 'risked' the limited chance of no inflight entertainment and saved (almost) half the cost!

Sorry, but £1200 for economy tickets is daft!

Its only daft if you cant afford it! If your comfortable with £1200 as Wilma Bride said, its a very subjective question.

Realise you're looking for an August flight but keep an eye out for Reward Seat Sales with Virgin's Flying Club as sometimes they have reduced miles to MCO.

The current offer; flights between November and April, 25% less miles, so 33,000 instead of 45,000 with a lower surcharge.

For two seats next March we used 66,000 plus a charge of £421.90. We were very happy to get direct flights to MCO for £210.80 each.

Might be worth trying to build up another 2,000 miles so you're also up to 66,000 just in case this offer comes up again for your dates.

If you don't have the Virgin credit card then check out this thread which I just posted, as it another way to build up miles. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3124960

This offer ends 17th June, and if there's no offer's on when you book then you could use 45,000 miles for one reduced fare and the 2,000 miles per seat for Miles plus Money fares.

Good luck.

2,000 miles wont be difficult to add as DH doing a lot of flying soon,and it will all be booked on our VA Amex.Thanks for the advise