first choice ~ when to book ~ needing 2 rooms for 3 adults

postingalwaysposting · 9 July 2007 at 5:12PM

Hi all... i am looking at booking my first holiday abroad :j however i have never booked a holiday before (only haven holidays) i have never been abroad before and i have no idea what i am doing

I am travelling with 2 other adults (both been abroad before but was a gift/within the army) and we need two rooms (one sole occupancy). Now it has to be with first choice as i have a gift of £200 holiday vouchers from them. I have spent an evening online looking at packages (ideally all inclusive) and then reviewing the hotels online. I have shortlisted 3 hotels in a variety of locations ~ all price include 2 rooms, all inclisive, sitting together on the plane and insurance (well there insurance allthough i will get our own so you can knock nearly £80 off each quote) ~

louis royal palace ~ zante greece ~ 7 days ~ flying london ~ £1400
coastline hotel ~ salina bay malta ~ 7 days ~ flying london ~ £1500
hotetur cortijo blanco ~ costa del sol ~ 7 days ~ flying london ~ £940 (last choice)

now when do i book? the first two only have 1/2 sole occupuncy rooms left. We are hoping to fly out sunday 4th may 2008. Now do we book now ie before august that then gives us approx 9months to pay it in full (easier for us) or do we save a chance i nice lastest offer? Its really hard as i have never done this before and i have been let loose to book a holiday i dont know what to do for the best. I have no passport and i have no idea about insurance/spending costs/travel to the airport ~ what have a i let myself in for :rotfl:

any help for regular flyers/holiday makers will be really appriciated

thanks pap

black-saturn · 9 July 2007 at 5:44PM

Personally I'd book it asap and at the local First choice branch, not online.

jillie1974 · 9 July 2007 at 5:47PM

book it ASAP especially as the sole occupancy rooms will not be there next may. these always sell first!!

postingalwaysposting · 9 July 2007 at 5:59PM

thanks all

black-saturn wrote: »

Personally I'd book it asap and at the local First choice branch, not online.

black saturn why do you say book at a branch rather than online? is there any difference? are the price/s cheaper in branch? thanks pap

black-saturn · 9 July 2007 at 6:12PM

postingalwaysposting wrote: »

thanks all

black saturn why do you say book at a branch rather than online? is there any difference? are the price/s cheaper in branch? thanks pap

Personally if it's a holiday of high value I would book it at the branch. Then if you have any questions or problems you can easily pop in and ask (as in your OP you said you didn't know what you were doing, so I think your bound to have a load of questions). In my experience they don't mind how silly the question is either

. If it was a low value holiday or a weekend break though I would book it online.

postingalwaysposting · 9 July 2007 at 6:27PM

thansk bs... will they give the online price though? i went in a few months ago when i was set this 'task' and they tryed charging me £2500 for the same quote online for £1500 (checked when i got home) i know i have no debts but i dont want to be paying over the odds for a holiday :rolleyes: i am quite happy in a tent :rotfl:

black-saturn · 9 July 2007 at 6:35PM

I went to Egypt in december and the online quote was about £600 more than the price I was given in the shop. I agree I'd rather book online if it was going to save me money but check first.

postingalwaysposting · 9 July 2007 at 6:51PM

black-saturn wrote: »

I went to Egypt in december and the online quote was about £600 more than the price I was given in the shop. I agree I'd rather book online if it was going to save me money but check first.

will do thanks bs... i suppose i could take a print out and see what the shop comes up with? :think: how do i go about a passport ~ ie shall i send off for it asap or can it wait till jan next year? what type of cash/savings will i need for it?

What happens with tickets/how long you have to be at the airport before flying? or shall i just come back and ask all this in a few months time :rotfl:

black-saturn · 9 July 2007 at 6:56PM

Personally I would send for a passport in about december as if it gets sent back for any reason you will have time to redo it. As for currency I would use the post office bureau de change.

They will usually post your tickets about a month before you depart (but beware as when I went to Vietnam they didn't arrive till 2 days before :eek: ). You usually get them in the form of vouchers which have to be handed over at each point like at the airport check in and at the hotel. At heathrow you will have to check in 3 hours before departure but there are LOADS of things to do while your waiting. Other London airports vary but they are about the same.

Any more questions?

postingalwaysposting · 9 July 2007 at 7:18PM

aww thanks hun

thats put my mind at ease

there isnt really anything else... i have read martins articles about travel insurance so thats more or less sorted ~ but does that have to be booked so far in advance? The only other thing is baggage, with all this terror stuff i am a little confussed... arnt we all :rotfl: how does it work? what can you take on a plane? what happens with medication? what about sharps (ie sewing needle within a cross stitch craft)? Also clothes what do you wear over there? All the holidays i have ever been on have been in the uk so i just wear the usual black trousers and baggy tshirts/jumpers but i am guessing i cant get away with that while away :rotfl: thanks again for helping

black-saturn · 9 July 2007 at 7:21PM

I would check the baggage rules just before you pack as they seem to be changing every 5 minutes. You can get your travel insurance whenever you want but personally I would get it now as I would know that was one less job to do.

Have a look on this site www.virtualtourist.com . if you type in the destinations you are thinking of going to there are some members who have submitted packing lists. It's also good for researching your destination.

first choice ~ when to book ~ needing 2 rooms for 3 adults

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