Warning For Virgin Early Bookers!

[allie5]

Just had an almighty squabble with my old friends, Virgin Holidays.

I priced up next years (Oct 05) holiday in May this year, and rather surprisingly, with my Frequent Virgin discount, booking with Virgin came out the cheapest. I had to call to get my FV discount (which is higher than the online discount). Whilst I was on the phone, I specifically asked that IF any special offers came out in the future, whether they could be applied to my booking. The reply was "Yes, subject to availability" but she also said, that as I was travelling in October, which had become one of their most popular booking times, that there was next to no chance of any discounts for that time of year. I thought that sounded plausible and booked 2 weeks at AKL, with car.

Today, I was browsing the Virgin holidays site (as you do!!), when I spotted their latest offer "Kids for a Quid" deal. This offered a child place for a £1 on the dates we were travelling next year. Immediately rang Virgin and spoke to assorted people who were of no help and got cut off several times. In despair, rang the frequent virgin number who transferred me internally to someone NOT in Bombay .

Explained my problem and was told "Discounts are only applicable at the time of booking". GRRRRRRR. Kicked up a fuss and was transferred to another department (on hold for 25 mins). Spoke to another person who also re-iterated that I wasnt eligible for the discount as I had already booked. Threatened to cancel and was passed to a "supervisor". Still cagey about Virgin's policy on applying discount and no straight answers were forthcoming. Played my "Frequent Virgin" card, and said if they didnt apply it I would cancel my trip and never book with them again. Supervisor goes off to check with manager. Another 20 mins on hold. FINALLY, they agree to apply the discount, but only as I am a FV and regular customer.

Upshot was, I even added another week on, and still saved £400 compared to my original 2 weeks

Thing is, if I HADNT been a FV, then I probably wouldnt have got this discount, which makes a mockery of booking early. I will not be falling for this one again I can tell you. I could be flexible on my dates (and did have to change the outbound dates by one day) so that was another reason it could be done.

So, BE WARNED....if you book your Virgin holiday nice and early, then yes, you get the seats, but you are well and truly stuffed if they bring out "deals" before you travel. I felt very cheated when I saw this deal, and even though I got it honoured in the end, I had to fight and I shouldnt have had to. It seems that they have no loyalty to early bookers at all. It was a considerable saving I made and its just not fair that I could have lost out on £400, just because I booked early!!

Allie

 

[natalielongstaff]

gosh your post rings true to me,we have had to change this years booking because of the hurricanes
the virgin bombay staff were worse than useless! to cut a long story short they kept telling our TA that we couldnt re-book because there were NO FLIGHTS but we had the booking already for flights and stuff and just needed to change the accomodation!!
the lady at thomas cook says this happens all the time now.
virgin certainly do not plow their profits into customer service

 

[rhysd2]

yet another reason why i wont book virgin again. they used to be superb but they have gone down and down in my estimations fast over the last 2 years.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

If you book early you are guaranteed your choice of holiday, you are not guaranteed the best price. Many people who book later are not able to get their first choice of dates or hotels.

If you bought a TV and then a month later it was on sale in the shop it is tough luck, the same goes for holidays.

 

[Miffy2003]

I do agree with you Scottish Helen, but I think the point Allie is making is that she specifically asked the question, could future special offers be applied to her booking and she was specifically told, yes they could. And this is what Virgin then wouldn't do (without a good deal of persuasion, anyway!)

Glad you got it sorted Allie!

 

[Red-Snapper]

Fact is this is not just a Virgin issue - it is the same with any holiday company you book with.

If you arent bothered when you go or which hotel then it has always been better to hang on. Go to your local travel agent window and see the Florida deals you can get.

If however you are tied to certain dates, want a particular hotel etc then book early to avoid disappointment.

I would of been happy with the fact I got the cheapest quote at the time (as mentioned above). The fact you were told you would still get a discount is wrong - but then I would never have dreamt it would apply anyway.

I assume by calling then "your old friends" you were being sarcastic and have had "issues" before - if so book with someone else - First Choice knock hundreds off their brochure prices nearer the date of travel