TCD Phone bookings

[nibbo]

I was just about to book next years holiday to ASM with Virgin when I decided to look on TCD's website. I couldn't believe the difference in price! The total cost of 2 Adult and 2 Child flights came to £636...that's almost what Virgin are charging for an adult flight on its own. I phoned them to check it wasn't a mistake, which it wasn't, and was then told if i book it on the phone it's even cheaper. Everything is discounted on the phone...flights, hotel, insurance, prebookable seats etc. I've had such good experiences with Virgin and get 10% off in the frequent flyers club but at these prices it's hard to refuse. The only problem is that they only do 2 week holidays and we wanted to go a little bit longer, but at that price we could go every year instead of every 2 years.

Nick

 

[bazzanoid]

You'll find a lot of comments on these boards for TCD, both good and bad. Just remember they are essentially a budget charter airline doing long-haul, hence the cheapness.

That said, we flew Upper Deck (about £129 extra each) with them for extra legroom, priority check-in, seating, and additional luggage allowance. It was great!

The general consensus (correct me if I'm wrong, somebody) is that they get it right 8/10 times, compared to 9/10 times for most other airlines.... it's frequently a topic on here whether to fly with them to save the £££ or pay more and receive a generally similar level of service from the likes of BA or Virgin, who have a more consistent satisfaction record.

IMHO, i flew to save the £££ and get a quieter airport - TCD fly into Sanford, which is blissful and the staff are welcoming compared to the nightmare of Orlando International which is soooo busy and it shows in the staff's surliness!

Again that's a pro and a con - quiet airport, but it's further out (over an hour from disney compared to 40 minutes), and doesn't offer much by way of airside shopping on departure. But also in comparison, the drive is pleasant enough, and it took us less than 25 minutes to go from plane, through security and out - we had our car keys within 35 minutes of landing! Orlando International - about an hour and a half from landing to car keys, depending on the amount of flights that just arrived....

Hope that helps, and doesn't confuse things too much....

 

[lexie32]

It's definatley swings and roundabouts as far as virgin v's tcd are concerned, we waited for a sale on our flights with virgin and paid £313 per adult ( x3)and £ 268 for my ds, we have then paid £425 with airline network for a 7 seater with platinum insurance for 16 nights total £1632, if i was to book with Tcd it would cost me £1733 for 14 nights but i have 16 nights booked with virgin so i feel i am £100 and 2 nights better off for booking separatley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex

 

[nibbo]

Thanks Bazzanoid.

I've just phoned Virgin (as their internet booking system is having problems with the car rental bit at the moment) and got requoted, including my 10% frequent virgin club discount and TCD are about £350 cheaper. But then with Virgin you can prebook seats for free (TCD charge £20 each) check in at Downtown Disney on day of departure for free and make use of twilight checkin at Gatwick which we always do. So not too much in it after all. Think i'll stick with Virgin. Better the devil you know!!!

Nick

 

[bazzanoid]

Better the devil you know!!!

Agreed

Just as an aside, you can check in the night before with TCD as well, the info is buried on their website somewhere...

 

[profolly]

Anyone have any opions on First Choice we're flying out of Bristol next year have never flown with them before but it's so close to home . we're flying premium as my daughter is a nervous flyer and I thought it might be a bit more calming for her. We don't have a ca r and will be taking Mears shuttle which FC have arranged has anyone done this and does it take forever ?

Thanks

Profolly

 

[nibbo]

Agreed

Just as an aside, you can check in the night before with TCD as well, the info is buried on their website somewhere...

Cheers bazzanoid...that's what was swaying me towards Virgin, now you've got me all undecided again lol.

Does anyone know if Virgin still chucks in little extras at the WDW resorts. Last time we had free refillable mugs (nearly $50 worth!), various vouchers including one for leave a legacy at Epcot etc.

Nick

 

[jen_uk]

You also get the bigger luggage allowance with Virgin.....