Will VH offer discounts on holidays at Whitson?

[angel659]

Hi

I am thinking of booking our fly drive holiday very shortly, but dh mentioned that VH may offer more of a discount on a bank holiday Monday. Did they do any offers on Easter or other bank holidays. I never really look.

We are flying on the 3rd November for 16 nights, so we can spend the 18th (boys 4th bday) out there. Staying at Port Orleans Riverside booking this seperately.

Cant wait to book it. Within 1 month our November holiday will be booked

 

[Claire L]

Have you checked the VA offers? They can work out cheaper than VH flydrives, even with car hire direct with say Dollar.

Claire

 

[angel659]

I did look at them, but they didnt work out cheaper once taxes are on offer. I wont be hiring a car with them. We are only intending on hiring a car for 3 days. Also I want to book a flydrive, because the flights have been comparable and cheaper than a charter flight and all TA have called me back and VH have been cheaper. Also means we can gaurentee our flights without paying up front and we can reserve our seats as well. Many factors why a fly drive works out better for us.

 

[Claire L]

I did look at them, but they didnt work out cheaper once taxes are on offer. I wont be hiring a car with them. We are only intending on hiring a car for 3 days. Also I want to book a flydrive, because the flights have been comparable and cheaper than a charter flight and all TA have called me back and VH have been cheaper. Also means we can gaurentee our flights without paying up front and we can reserve our seats as well. Many factors why a fly drive works out better for us.

Be careful with VH as if you don't hire the car for the whole time they do add supplements on as they require you to be using one of their services for every day you are on holiday be it a hotel or car hire, the cost was £25 per week per person a couple of years ago. Also you can reserve your seats with VA as soon as you book. As you say booking with VH means only a depsoit but have you thought about an interest free credit card so that you could possibly book flight only if there was a good deal?

Claire

 

[CustardTart]

Be careful with VH as if you don't hire the car for the whole time they do add supplements on as they require you to be using one of their services for every day you are on holiday be it a hotel or car hire, the cost was £25 per week per person a couple of years ago. Also you can reserve your seats with VA as soon as you book.
Claire

Sorry to butt in - just wanted to know what happens if you book a Fly-Drive with VH and don't collect the car? I am planning on doing this for the first time in September - is it likely to be a problem? Thanks...

 

[Claire L]

Sorry to butt in - just wanted to know what happens if you book a Fly-Drive with VH and don't collect the car? I am planning on doing this for the first time in September - is it likely to be a problem? Thanks...

Hmmm not too sure on this have heard of people doing this ok but never too sure if or when VH will clamp down on it and say that there will be a penalty for no-shows!

Claire

 

[carolfoy]

I've often wondered this too Clare, I'v egot plenty of clients who book fly drives and don't collect the car, even though I explain that technically they're breaking their contract they often agree its worth the risk. Do you think tour ops will find a way to get round this and fine people? also how will they track them down? they won't have access to their first night stay info so how will they find them?

 

[Claire L]

I've often wondered this too Clare, I'v egot plenty of clients who book fly drives and don't collect the car, even though I explain that technically they're breaking their contract they often agree its worth the risk. Do you think tour ops will find a way to get round this and fine people? also how will they track them down? they won't have access to their first night stay info so how will they find them?

Not too sure to be honest Carol, but it may mean that insurance is compulsory like it is with TCD then people would not be so willing to leave the car behind.

Claire

 

[angel659]

We booked a fly drive package in 2005 and didnt collect the car. We said that we would pay the insurance out there. We decided we didnt want it. Virgin never contacted us. To be honest I cant see how they will collect the money, whether back in the UK they will try and fine us. I dont think I have seen it in the small print that we are entitled to collect the car and if we dont we will be fined. Especially if we are paying the insurance abroad. I doubt VH would care to be honest. Well thats the impression I got from other TA, who have said that they cant and wont do anything I dont know never really thought about how they will claim there money back.

Sorry I dont like credit cards. I have been bitten in the back side before with an interest free credit card. The last time I did that we got a large (for us) limit and within 4 months the card was upto its limit and we are now still paying it all off. If I dont have the cash I wont book it now. Thats my new rule. I just simply cant trust myself Good idea though. Just not ideal for us. I think you have to be strong willed.

 

[angel659]

Independent itinerary charge
We provide Package Holidays. We do NOT sell Flight Only. Because we have commitments to our Hotels, Car Hire Companies and other Suppliers we have decided to make a flat charge of £30 per person for any period of 7 nights or more spent on holiday not using any of our services (excluding infants). FOR EXAMPLE you spend a week at one of our Hotels, but then decide to spend a week doing your own thing with new love Sam in Miami, we will charge you £30 for that week. You will soon realise that it is cheaper to keep your car for that week!

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for the info! Well, £30 is still cheaper than parking at PC for the week. TBH I'd already booked the Fly-Drive before realising it would be simpler just to stay at the MCO Hyatt overnight and get DCL transport from MCO to PC and back...

 

[angel659]

My point is how and when will this £30 a week charge come? A letter at our door in the UK or at check in at MCO?

 

[Claire L]

My point is how and when will this £30 a week charge come? A letter at our door in the UK or at check in at MCO?

I think that charge is only ever applied at the moment if you turn down the car hire when you book an independent itinerary and have some days with no services provided by VH.

Claire