I love FC $20 vouchers!!!

[aussiegirls]

I just had to share with you guys my love of working the system with Flight Centre

Firstly to explain how FC's price beat guarantee works. If you can find a cheaper price on anything with any Australian company or website FC will beat the price by $1 per person and then issue each person with a $20 FC voucher that can be used on something else on a different day.

I only found out about the $20 vouchers when I bought my park hoppers last year, so I had 3 of them sitting around from our trip last year.

This time I wanted to fly V Aust again, so I waited till I found the best price I could which ended up being on the V Aust website. Printed it off and took it into FC. They verified the seats were available and booked them for V Aust price minus $3 and I gave them the 3 $20 vouchers I had from last year. So ended up saving $63. Then they gave me 3 new $20 vouchers.

A few weeks later I wanted to buy park hoppers before the price increase. So I found the best price I could on the 14 day hoppers, which was from Expedia. I printed it off and took it in. I also used 2 of the $20 vouchers so ended up saving $42 off the cheapest price I could find. They then gave me 2 more $20 vouchers.

Then it was time for travel insurance. I am a member of Medibank Private and they do a special price for members on travel insurance. I printed it off and took it into FC. After I verified that all the coverage and excess was the same I booked with one of their insurers. They gave me $3 off and I used a $20 voucher, which saved me $23. They then gave me 3 more $20 vouchers.

Today I went in to get some accommodation. I generally book accommodation online but I wanted to stay at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina and the price on Expedia was the absolute cheapest (even cheaper than booking straight with the hotel). So I printed it off and took it in. They matched the price and beat it by $3 and I used 3 of the $20 vouchers, saving me $63. I ended up paying AUD$460 for 5 nights at the Sheraton . And they gave me 3 more $20 vouchers

So I think I will use the vouchers to get tickets for Knotts Berry Farm. Then use the vouchers from that to get tickets for Legoland and then maybe use the vouchers from that to get tickets for Seaworld, all with the lowest quote I can find - likely Expedia.

I felt like a bit of a scab at first (you might still think so ) but I just figured that if they weren't such a rip off they wouldn't have to keep beating everyone elses prices. So whilst they do I am going to keep working it, and using all my saved $20 for spending money

xxx

 

[kyl]

Our local flight center HATES me, I did this for everything with our trip last year. Then they stopped offering me the $20 vouchers. The girls in there don't want to deal with me anymore because I think they know that they don't make much of a commision? Next time we go I will not go back to my local flight center but to another. I actually had to call and make a complaint about my local flight center the girl there was rude to me because I think she was sick of me finding a "better deal" and asking her to match it or better it. Its there policy to price beat I just wish the staff at my local store were a little nicer thats all.....

 

[aussiegirls]

Oh dear kyl. I am not sure that my agent loves me either but she tolerates my price beats In fact sometimes she asks first if I would like to use my vouchers (as if I would be in FC if I didn't).

The way I see it they can either take the piddly commission they would get from me or they can get nothing. I am never in there for long, it usually takes 5 minutes to tell her what I want, how much I want to pay and then just buy it. Any commission on 5 minutes work can't be all bad

xxx

 

[lovintheland]

Aussiegirls we do the exact same. Got vouchers when they price matched our flights, then travel insurance, then car hire, and now we are going to book Goofy's Kitchen and use the vouchers. It's a vicious circle. Next thing I know I will be booking another trip to USA just to use my $100 worth of vouchers , lol!
But that's what they want us to do. Get them to price match and use them rather than another company. They're obiously still making big $$$$$$

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Wow..............thanks for the tips! We have already booked our whole trip for Disneyland in November/December, however, we are flying to New Zealand 4 days before we go. My DH is a massive U2 fan from way back and when he found out they were touring he was just beside himself! I magine his disappointment when he found out they were playing all their Australian gigs whilst we are in the USA! So, as a surprise, I am taking him over for the Aukland show. I need to book flights and was on the FC website just last night looking for the best deals! So, thanks to my wonderful Disers, it looks like I can save some money!

Cheers

 

[aussiegirls]

Oh Minnie Sue, I feel your DH's pain

My two absolute fave bands, Bon Jovi and U2 are both coming to Australia while we are in the US. I mean, they never, ever come here, so the fact that they are both coming at the same time just sux - what are the chances

xxx

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Got our tickets to U2!!! Will show you the photo's at our Minnie's breakfast Aussie! Had to dip into the Disney fund, but oh well, hubby has worked extra over the last 12 months to take us on tis holiday and is going to be a tad Disney'ed out by the time we finish, so I figure he well and truly deserves it! Now, just to book the flights. I have a whole week ahead of me to research until the cows come home as I had major surgery yesterday and am home convalescing!!! Here's to good deal at the FC!!!

 

[aussiegirls]

I would love to see your pics

Hope you are feeling better Minnie Sue, rest up and take care - you have to be all better for Disney

xxx

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Thanks so much for the well wishes Aussie!

Secured the flights and the accommodation. Ended up using FC, but just got them online as I wanted to pay via Paypal which they allow you to do!

All set, now for the countdown!

Getting VERY excited to think DL is only just around the corner!!!
xox