Booking direct with Virgin Atlantic

aitch-aitch

Hoping to go to Orlando next year with the OH and children. There are 5 of us in total - 3 adults (DD will be 12) and 2 children.

Am I best booking direct with Virgin Atlantic (prices look good at the moment) or will it be cheaper for me to go through a travel agent.

I only want to book flights and car hire as will be staying in friends house.

dazzer68

not sure if cheaper for just flights but we booked our virgin holiday(disney hotel, filghts ) through jetsave at the travel agents and saved about £2000! booking with virgin direct is more expensive

aitch-aitch

Have now checked with one travel agent and prices are almost identical to those on the VA website.

Is there any more security for me booking with the TA rather than direct with Virgin? It's such a lot of money I want to make sure I'm getting the best deal all round

becominganobsessivesaver

Just make sure you book using a credit card and you will be secure (get travel insurance as well though in case of emergencies on your side)

If you can't find the flights cheaper elsewhere make sure you use quidco and get 1% cashback

vickyj

be aware though booking on a credit card that most travel agents thomas cook included will charge you an extra 2.5%.
Vicky

ameratsu

A flydrive can often be cheaper with Virgin Holidays than a flight only with VA;) . You don't have to take their car or their insurance.

Prices can change daily and can differ by £100's in the same week!
We booked a flydrive with VH and saved £200 x 3 adults for last April/May.
If you join Virgin's flying club, you get special offers via email, you will also get 5% discount when booking ( used to be 10%).

It also depends when you want to go.

Diamond_Olly

vickyj wrote: »

be aware though booking on a credit card that most travel agents thomas cook included will charge you an extra 2.5%.
Vicky

Check what the travel agent will charge - at the moment, you may be able to haggle on this!!!

lea007

We have booked our next years holiday direct with Virgin atlantic. Prices do go up and down all the time. Keep checking everyday as they tend to change from one day to the next. My father inlaw has found this is the cheapest way to do it and he has been going for the last 15 years. I would advise not to leave it till the last minute either as they dont always reduce the price just cos its near the flight day. If its of any use we have paid £325 per adult for going in march time and since i've booked it has gone up to nearly £500 then back down to £335. Dont ask me why. Hope this helps

aitch-aitch

Thanks for all the responses. Have now booked on the VA website as it was same price as TA's.

Booked via Quidco so got my 1% discount plus have charged it to my new Amex card and will get 5% cash back. Did read on Quidco that you only get the 1% on the flight price not including taxes (which are nearly as much as the fare!!!).

Am really excited now even though its 10 months away - kids weren't nearly as excited as me but I love the planning stage (sad but true...) and it is a long time off for them.

FluffyFiFi

I read somewhere that you can convert Virgin Atlantic flying miles towards the cost of the ticket. You can even buy these miles direct from Virgin, does anyone know if this is true, and explain how it works and the benefits. Thanks.

steveo3002

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

I read somewhere that you can convert Virgin Atlantic flying miles towards the cost of the ticket. You can even buy these miles direct from Virgin, does anyone know if this is true, and explain how it works and the benefits. Thanks.

the air miles aint worth jack , i priced it up 2000 miles got me £30 off :rolleyes: