Allocated on arrival???

noonesperfect

I quite like the idea of going AOA. We haven't any firm idea of when or if we will go abroad (or indeed where) this year but how do you go about this?

Is it something you can only book quite near the time you want to go?

noonesperfect

Just bumping....anyone?:D

ecoelle

My mum has booked these on teletext before. She ended up in a 4 star spa hotel in Spain, with marble steps, 3 restaurants and no children! She loves AOA as she only ever books the ones which guarantee 3*or higher. She's done it a few times and never been dissappointed but you have to be prepared to take what you're given and make the best of it.

richardw

ecoelle wrote: »

only ever books the ones which guarantee 3*or higher.

There are deals like this which sound Ok.

Pollycat

I think one problem with AOA is that you might be stuck in the middle of nowhere - which might be a problem if you weren't planning to hire a car.
On some of the package holidays we've been on, some people were dropped off miles from the centre of the resort.
If the possibility of that doesn't bother you, then I'd do as the previous posters have suggested and go for a guaranteed level of hotel.

Diamond_Olly

AOA offers usually appear as late bookings a few weeks before departure. If you ask your travel agent to look for deals from about 6 weeks before the first date you want to go - they can usually suggest some destinations available on AOA. Its not always cheapest to do this - sometimes named accommodation is cheaper. Destinations usually include Spain and islands, Greek islands and Turkey.

than4

We went in to our travel agent on Saturday to try to book a last minute deal for the beginning of June. Previously we have always saved money by going AOA. However, we were told that they don't do it anymore.

virgo149

But a last minute deal is usually what it says - and you are trying to book June in April. If you can hold your nerve, you'll definately find something - but give it a few weeks more yet.

deva

try using a search engine like www.holiday.co.uk as you don't need to put destination in so you just get best prices... there is usually add ons though!