I went with Virgin last year and upgraded to premier seats. Yes it was fantastic and the staff were really nice. However never again. We were wet behind the ears and never knew no better. If you have money to burn then book with Virgin.
Last year I stayed at a Disney Hotel and the full package came to £4000.00 the seats we sat on were a 38inch pitch and the TV Screens were much bigger. Like I said before the whole trip was great.
This time we are going with First Choice. (They start using their new planes in May which i believe will be a lot better than Virgin) We have again up graded our seats which are the same pitch sizes as virgin and the TV Screen is the same to. All the benefits we got last time we are getting the same this time. But the big difference is, this holiday is costing us £2300.00. And we are doing the exact same holiday.
Get a quote off Virgin for your holiday and then ring around. Every time I spoke to a
travel agent I told them that I wanted the best price as I had a few people coming back to me with quotes. Everytime I got a quote I knocked £50/£100.00 off it and told the next travel agent that price. I bet you that by the time you have finished you will be able to go almost first class with another airline for the same money you were quoted with Virgin for basic seats. If you can, try and upgrade. It means you dont have to queue up when you get to the airport to check in and they put you on the plane first and let you off first. Also the seats and the treatment are so much better.
I was going to book again with Virgin this year as I was so impressed with the service last year. But after a few wise words from some close friends who work in the travel business I soon woke up. Remember although it is a long flight it is only 8 hours of your holiday on the plane (16 in total) so look around.
I would never book with a back street firm nor fly with a small airline, but try ringing the big high street travel agents and play them off each other. You will be shocked with the end result. And always get the name and direct line number of the person you were dealing with.
People will say that Virgin planes are much better, How do the know? Do they work for Virgin? All the big companies are trust worthy and worth a phone call and lets face facts, a plane is a plane at the end of the day (with in reason of course)
Tell the travel agent you do not want there
travel insurance. Look around and get your own. This is an area of your holiday where you will get screwed if your not careful. The lady at first choice told us not to book it with them as we could get it so much cheaper else where, she was right. But it was nice of her to tell us. Also First Choice do a service where you can book in your luggage the day before you go on holiday (I think that cost £5.00 extra) which is a good idea.
look at it this way. Pay around an extra £1000.00 for a lady or guy to be nice to you for an 8 hour flight. Its the shortest part of the holiday. Correct, Virgin are good, the planes are great, the staff are nice but for all this you pay so much more.
I cannot stress enough that I think they are a good airline but is all that extra money worth it? Most of the people on here have given good advice and I have taken some of it on board myself. But I keep coming back to that little voice in my head that says, its an 8 hour flight (it also says Liverpool will win Chelsea next week). I would rather exchange the £1000.00 I save and convert it into dollars and blow the lot in the malls.
I hope I have helped.
Vinny
