Portland Direct Pricing Problems

mercman1969

Money is very tight but for personal reasons we want to give our 3 year old the best possible holiday we can

we have been looking at port aventura for 6 months now but didnt book as we wernt sure if she would be fit or not to travel

Anyway...we have been searching portland direct and on a search comes up with some great prices

HOWEVER, when you go through to book them, the prices go UP by about £100 per person....how can this be?

I have attached a screen grab for you to see what i am viewing after a search



Also attached a screen grab after trying to book it online



It clearly shows the price per person being over £100 each MORE

WHY or HOW can they advertise these prices when NON of them appear available

Is it false advertising and why isnt it stopped

sloppychops

The lower price shown will be based on full occupancy (4 adults per room).Book your child as an adult as its a little cheaper this way.

mercman1969

Sloppy,

Thanks. Why do they bother asking your party size then?
It also advertised as a free child place...so in reality - NOT free

pompeyrich

So what is the £170 saving X2 for? Does this not bring the price back down to that shown in the first page?

sloppychops

Free child places are subject to availability and not always the bargain you think you might get either when they are available.

mercman1969

pompeyrich wrote: »

So what is the £170 saving X2 for? Does this not bring the price back down to that shown in the first page?

Well given it was showing as a FREE child place
When I was at school 2 x 339 = 678

Poppy9

That's where I fancy going this August but I'm struggling to get it affordable for myself, OH and DD (she's 14). I keep getting quotes of £2000 for 1/2 board but we had hoped to do it for about 20% less as we want to go to New York next January too.

pompeyrich

Seems you are snookered then, if you scroll down on your second screenshot under the total price it says Please note When available, you can only have either a 'Free Child Place' or 'Savings on adult prices' within each room.

Agree it is misleading and disappointing to find the deal not as good as it seems but as Sloppy says free child places have been full of catches for ages, under occupancy supplements can cost more than the basic price quoted etc., which is why I tend to book flights and rooms seperately these days.

pompeyrich

Check out Thomsons for Costa Carribe at £659 for all 3 of you half board transfers included HERE

sloppychops

pompeyrich wrote: »

Check out Thomsons for Costa Carribe at £659 for all 3 of you half board transfers included HERE

Link not working.

http://www.thomson.co.uk/package-holidays.html

Their price has dramatically dropped since last time i checked.A bargain at £659.
It also mentions that the Caribe Aqua Park isnt open till 23rd May.

miamoo

Or you could book Ryanair flights, get a return taxi (£20 e/w) and book your hotel seperately. I used thomson for my hotel, but travel republic also had good prices.