Has anyone tried to get Virgin Hols lately?

[MickeyMcMouse]

Hi everyone,

Have tried for the last 2 days to get thro to Virgin Holidays at various different times of the day only to be on hold for an average of 25 mins a time and then give up !

Eventually after a 30 min wait we managed to get thro and tried to get a price and availablity on a fly drive to mco from manchester.

WOW .....

Last week in July, first in Aug is nearly impossible. "We have not been given much allocation from Virgin Atlantic and infact the only seats left are Premiun Economy or Club Orlando"

OK I thought, we had went Club Orlando in Aug this year and were very impressed, so give me your best price ......

Including car hire, insurance at £440 !!! and weekend supplements blah, blah, blah....... £ 3300 for two adults. (less 10% frequent virgin disc)

There comes a time when a certain line is crossed and that time has occured. Even with the disc there is an increase of £500 from this year and checking else where its not much better.

We have been 13 or 14 times, to Orlando, 11 with Virgin and it seems to be getting out of hand. Anyone else feel the same way?

David

 

[Muppet]

I do know how you feel about being on hold. I called them yesterday and got through in 4 minutes.....a record maybe!!!

We now go at christmas and find them the cheapest and best.

Though our hoilday seems much more reasonable than yours was quoted. We have 2 adults, all inclusive car insurance, PE both ways, 15 night in QIP for £2100. including FVC 10% off.


I do think that they think they are the bees knees when it comes to Orlando though.

 

[harryhornet]

I booked with Virgin about a month ago, but I did it through the travel agent. They told me to go home while they tried to contact them because it always took more than an hour to get through! I wasn't going to use my phone bill!!!

Got what I wanted in the end though - 2 weeks in Orlando and 1 in Clearwater.

I don't know if it is good value or not - £4327 incl car hire, insurance etc for 2 adults and one teen. That's not including park passes though. I can see a final bill of around £10000 coming up with spending money.

 

[kazzie]

I called them on Monday to get a quote for next year.I held on for at least 40 minutes

I asked why they were so busy and was told Mondays are always more difficult to get through

 

[pegasusEH]

Try using Virgin's website. Even if you are not willing to actually book online, it will give you availability and prices without having to hold and it's all very quick.

If your accommodation is not available it will offer alternatives.

Much quicker, easier and cheaper than a phone call.

Also, I don't know the phone number, but TV Travel Shop (one of the sky channels) will be able to book you a holiday through Virgin cheaper than Virgin will do it themselves! It's how we booked for next June and if anyone want's the phone number I will look it up for you.

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Reading thro my post, I guess I didn't have enough coffee yesterday. But nothing like a good rant in the mornings

I tried the web site but you are unable to book Club Orlando seats on it I have to agree with Muppett when he says they are the bees knees but in the last few years the prices just seem to be getting out of hand - I suppose they know a good thing when they see it.

The problem with the manchester flight booking up so quickly, nearly 9 months before, is that for us, flying from Gatwick means a shuttle down and possibly a stay overnight, where as manchester is just 2 1/2 hours down the road.

The worst bit is that even thought I have a moan about it, I know who we will be flying with next year - regardless of price. That's got to say something about Virgin.

regards


David

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Hello hello

I was just wondering what Club Orlando seats are ?

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Hi Sam

Club Orlando seats are only available on the manchester route. They are Upper Class seats but premium economy service..... very nice.

David

 

[kazzie]

I had to call up Virgin as what I wanted to do isn't straigtforward so it couldn't be done on the website

After their quote I called up Bon Voyage (after it being reccomonded) and I found them to be excellent and cheaper! The other companies I called said call back it's to early to book for next October.Neil at Bon Voyage actually held the flight out for me just awaiting the flight back to be released in a week or so.He also sent me brochures which arrived the next day and he'd written comments and suggestions in.That is what I call service

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

The problem with the manchester flight booking up so quickly, nearly 9 months before, is that for us, flying from Gatwick means a shuttle down and possibly a stay overnight, where as manchester is just 2 1/2 hours down the road.

We had the same trouble booking for next June - and we tried to book in June this year, and all the Manchester seats were gone for the whole weekend!!!!!
- decided to go United, with the free connection to Heathrow from Glasgow.

 

[Muppet]

I do think that Virgin reckon they are the best for holidays to Orlando, in some respects they are. However thinking it and still letting your standards slip is very shoddy. Thing is when you get to the point of getting the FVC discount you tend to keep going with them. I have had some terrible problems with them on one holiday. It resembled a Fawlty Towers episode that lasted 2 weeks. Funny now a pain then.

As for calling them they say if you call them when the kids need to be taken or picked from school you get through quicker. I say get more staff.

BTW MickeyMcMouse- I'm a girlie, one whos knocking on a bit too!!!!

 

[BevS97]

I don't see why Virgin are the " be all and end all".
I would just as soon try one of the charters, they all fly direct from Manchester too, and Airtours had seatback tvs etc when we flew with them last year.

Bev

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

BTW MickeyMcMouse- I'm a girlie, one whos knocking on a bit too

Please accept my humble apologies ... Muppet.

David