Virgin - changing dates?

[Nubbedy]

Hi,
We (me, DH, DS) are looking to go to WDW next school summer holidays with Virgin Holidays for 10 days. Obviously I want to book during the last 2 weeks of August to get free dining, but DH cannot get confirmed holiday dates til end December / beginning January, and the free dining offer must be booked by Nov.

We know that he will definitely be able to go at some point during end July / August and when I have priced various dates, they are all coming up at the same price (with or without dining).

My question is this: If I booked now for the end of August but DH could not have those dates what would happen when I try to change booking. Obviously I would lose free dining, but if the holiday price is otherwise the same would I have to pay just an ammendment fee or would we lose our deposit? I am obviously keen to risk it to get the free dining coz this will save us so much when we are there.

Any advice gratefully received (even if it's not quite what I want to hear! )

Sara.

 

[Claire L]

VH are usually very flexible with moving/changing details for a holiday and if the overall price goes up then they often do not charge the amendment fee The only time you would lose the deposit is if you totally cancelled it all.

Claire

 

[Nubbedy]

Thanks Claire - sounds as if I should be OK. Hopefully DH will have no problems getting the dates we want.

Sara.

 

[mikey1]

Hi.
I have booked a Virgin flight today for early July 2007 (Orlando) and the small print is that it is completely non changeable. I don't know if they would enforce it or not. We have booked our flight for the day after I would have liked to go, but couldn't risk any of our son's exams being postponed and us not being able to make the flight. BA's policy is definitely the same but you can pay £50 up front per person to give you the right to change your dates etc.
By the way, booking our flight through lastminute.com saved us a few hundred pounds compared to the virginatlantic site.
Also, make sure you have a look at BA's site, and don't be afraid to fly into Tampa and out of Orlando or vice versa.There are some very good fares. I have spent the last few weeks following all their prices and was about to book with them this morning, but the outward flight had gone up by over a hundred pounds over night. Thankfully Virgin brought theirs down.
Also, if you subscribe to the BA website, they will knock off £10 per person (might be £20 including return journey. Not much, but better than nothing.
Also, you have nothing to lose by signing up (free) for the The Virgin Flying Club. Can get you extra air miles for the future.
Hope this helps and Good luck!

 

[Nubbedy]

Lots to think about there mikey, thanks. I will definitely sign up with BA and Virgin for the future.

Have you booked just the flight with Virgin, or a package with Virgin Holidays? I was hoping that if I booked a package, I would be able to make changes?

Sara.

 

[mikey1]

p.s.

Above, I referred to just the flights as you can get the Disney Dining Plan free just by booking Disney room only direct. More importantly, I think you might also be able to book shorter notice and still get the free dining this way, but you should check that. It could work out cheaper than you might think.

 

[Nubbedy]

We booked flight, hotel etc. seperately this year, so I am not at all phased about doing that. If I could still get the free dining at a later date direct with Disney I would be thrilled - it could solve my problems.

Who did you book Disney only with? If it was the website, was it the UK or US site, because I have heard some people say that the US site works out cheaper?

Off to check Disney sites to see what the restrictions for free dining are!

Sara.

 

[mikey1]

The U.S site. Also if you are in the AA, type AAA in the code box for a possible discount.
Also (again) if Disney lower their prices at any point after you have booked, you can tell them and they will lower yours. Cancelling is easy, they just give you any money that you paid up front, straight back. Universal Studios too, (get a Loews card if you stay at Universal) and you also get a good AA discount.
Hope this helps.

 

[Nubbedy]

Thanks again. Will pay the US site a visit.

Sara.