Virgin Flights help please

[Katies Dad]

Hi,

Still have dilema about Globespan or Virgin.

Does anyone know if anyone offers discount on Virgin flights - (travel agents will do all sorts of discounts if your book holidays with them anyone had any luck with flights?)

Thanks

 

[wayneg]

Waht dates are you wanting to go?
Do you have any frequent flyer points?
Is it Manchester you want to go from?

 

[Katies Dad]

Hi no points. really wanted Manchester as its only 50 mins away. 11th August 07 to 30th August 07. 2 adults and a 10 year old.

 

[wayneg]

You have very similar needs to us 2nd-27th Aug, 2 ad & 1 13yo. 55 mins from Man.
Its still too early for virgin flight only as they are not released on general sale until 11 months before your return date (ours is tomorrow 27th)
I am hoping for 2,000 points + £500ish with Virgin but we will see.
This year I managed to get some BMI flights via Chicago for £319 each for the same weeks in Aug. Not ideal having a 2 hour wait in Chicago but felt it was better than driving to Glasgow.
Will let you know if I see any deals.

 

[AndRu]

You have very similar needs to us 2nd-27th Aug, 2 ad & 1 13yo. 55 mins from Man.
Its still too early for virgin flight only as they are not released on general sale until 11 months before your return date (ours is tomorrow 27th)
I am hoping for 2,000 points + £500ish with Virgin but we will see.

Already tried today for the 7th to 28th August with Virgin Miles + Money using 2,000 each. Web sites are a no go but spoke to Susie (very nice lady at VA) and she tried in vain for us. Basically there are NO flights in August '07 from either LGW or MAN to either MCO or MIA using points. If you manage to get any, well played. For us it appears a no go ...

Gutted.

 

[Katies Dad]

We havn`t got any points so can`t use that option. sorry if you can`t use yours to help bring the prices down.

Unless a miracle happens and we can find Virgin a lot cheaper, it might have to be Glasgow or settle for 14 days and fly charter.

I`ll keep searching and will let you know if that bargain is around!!

 

[wayneg]

Already tried today for the 7th to 28th August with Virgin Miles + Money using 2,000 each. Web sites are a no go but spoke to Susie (very nice lady at VA) and she tried in vain for us. Basically there are NO flights in August '07 from either LGW or MAN to either MCO or MIA using points. If you manage to get any, well played. For us it appears a no go ...

Gutted.

They dont release points and money so early, or they didn't for next Easter, I was waiting weeks before they released them. I just had to keep looking every day until they put them on their site. Then got them at 2000points +£291
Just hopeing its same for Aug maybe they will offer them in a month or so, but if I see some indirect under £400 again I will not take the chance of waiting for a Virgin offer.

 

[AndRu]

To their credit, Virgin have just phoned me and told me I could use M+M between the 3rd and 16th August but it's only two weeks (we're going for 3) and it's too early in the month. When speaking with Virgin the rep told me that it would be "highly unlikely" for seats to be released for August '07 using points as seats are block booked by travel agencies. I've no idea if this is true but I can see why it might happen. However, it's a tad frustrating when they'll quote me the full price fare on the exact dates I want but not if I want to use points! Ah well, I guess that a case of business and the 'problem' of having kids and wanting to go during school holidays.

I'll look for the next couple of months but I'm not going to leave it until next year as I don't like gambling! I know Globespan do good deals but the best direct deal I've seen so far is BA with LGW - MCO at only £700 more than than the Virgin M+M price. So I guess it's not that bad afterall!

 

[nibby]

When speaking with Virgin the rep told me that it would be "highly unlikely" for seats to be released for August '07 using points as seats are block booked by travel agencies. I've no idea if this is true but I can see why it might happen. However, it's a tad frustrating when they'll quote me the full price fare on the exact dates I want but not if I want to use points!

Unfortunately another case of 'supply and demand' We've encountered this before at peak times. When they can sell all their seats, well in advance, at full price why bother letting them go for miles + money Miles + money is great if you don't have kids and need to go in school holidays and don't want to go to Orlando or Miami

 

[Spook]

Don't know if this will help - we booked with Kenwood travel for Aug 2006 gatwick to mco flying Virgin The total cost of the holiday with 14 nights accommodation was just £50 more than Virgin's flight price.

Jan

 

[Katies Dad]

Thanks I`ll give them a ring tomorrow

 

[wayneg]

I don't suppose anyone managed to get the cheap BA flights today.
I looked at our dates 2-17th from Man-Mco Via Gatwick, at 5:45pm they were at £362.60 each. DW was in a meeting that did not finish until 6pm. They were still at this price at 6pm. I got thru to DW on her mobile at 6:05pm confirmed to book them, I tried to book but price had gone back up to £742.50 again. I am now kicking myself for not booking them.

 

[Cinderella]

Are you south or north of Manchester? If north - it may be worth travelling the extra distance. What is the price difference between the two? I priced flyglobespan, but I noticed that they charge no cheaper for children than adults in the summer holidays, so that may have a bearing on the price. I have also had cheap prices transferring to London then flying from there with BA.

As for discounted Virgin flights - you used to be able to get them cheaper elsewhere, but now they've stopped people selling them cheaper than on their own website. But, do keep checking the prices, as they change often.

For airlines other than Virgin, I have got the best prices by constantly checking Expedia, and messing around with the dates and the departure airport. Good look - the prices are horrendous for school holidays.

 

[wideeyes]

My parents booked with Jetsave and got a good price on flights and a villa, and when I went to the TA she said that they are often cheaper than virgin. They use the same flights as Virgin.

 

[hetherp]

Have you thought of going in and out of Tampa on BA instead cheap flights still available today.

Phil

 

[wayneg]

Total price: £2,227.20 GBP for 3 of us, to tampa, cant find the cheap seats. Was it August you found some?

 

[Amyrlin]

There are some cheap dates if you can fly from Gatwick, 189 5th Aug and 189 for return on 19th, may be worth driving down and spenind the niht before

 

[wayneg]

No luck with our dates £2,686.20 for the 3 of us.
not available on the 5th either now, only 10th -19th and with taxes the £189 each way ends up at £ 1,132.20 for 3. I am expecting to get near that price for MCO, only paid £957 this August.
Will keep looking