Can I juggle flight prices?

LilacLillie

Does anyone know if flights only can be juggled in much the same way as package hloidays? ???
You know the way I mean? By ringing round and getting companies to undercut by a few pounds each time, sort of thing.
I have tried seaching on internet with 3 different companies for the exact same flight but have only managed to get it knocked down by £28 ( for 2 peeps).
The same flight last year only cost about £95, but that was booked 2 wks before I went. This year I need to know I have the flights, so can't be as flexible.
I want flights from LGW to Varna, Bulgaria. Or if anyone stumbles across a very cheap non-direct flight, let me know please
LL

LilacLillie

Sorry should have mentioned flight prices.
First Choice £214 each
Airtours £223.10
Thompsons £199 all flights quoted as inclusive of supplements, meals etc:

MarkyMarkD

It would help a lot if you mentioned dates and duration when asking this sort of question ... even a month would be a clue.

Anyway, in June you could go for a week for around £120 if you went via Cologne and had a rather slow journey! (I mean slow - 12 hours one way and 8 hours the other ignoring time difference - that probably means 10 hours each way in real time).

LGW - CGN with Germanwings for £46 return
CGN - VAR with Condor (Thomas Cook German subsidiary) for EUR108 return.

There may be cheaper prices for the Condor segment on other dates but I doubt the Germanwings bit will get much cheaper - although they do regularly do offers where most flights are EUR19 single including taxes.

TRAVELMAN_2

Lilaclil,

You'd have much more luck if you were booking a package holiday-there is simply NOT enough commision to make it worthwile to discount heavily. For example, say your thomson flights were £219 pp, so 2 people is £438, average agent commision is £50 total. Now bear in mind most agents are self-employed on text/web & make 30% average-so £15 total on this booking!

Do you really thinkthat in a busy January many agents will haggle & cut down on their precious commision of £15???!

Another thing you have to watch for is that the price can change at any time-upwards! I booked 4 customers today to Sharm in Egypt-at 1pm the flight cost was £219-went back to book at 3pm-£239! Tour op just said'sorry-supply & demand'.-sale lost!

Martins idea of beating down package cost (notice his example is £1000'ish) is ok with higher value hols-but 2 seats under £250-sorry to be blunt-but get real!

Many agents will just say 'no' & move on to the next call. I'd book asap in case prices go up-Bulgaria is VERY popular!

Chris

loates123

any luck yet travelman finding me a deal.
prices seem so high at the moment.
every holiday i have had in the last 3 years i have got so cheap, its just a case of looking the right deal is out there somewhere its just finding it

TRAVELMAN_2

Shadow-just e-mailed you!

Chris

LilacLillie

Thanks Travelman for that bit of help. The flight I was looking at is "First Choice" 5th May from LGW to Var. 14nts. Its the first direct flight I can get out this year, I don't want to go round the houses.
I just can't believe how much they have gone up to BG in just a year
The good news is that Thompson are offering money back on all flights you book through them to your holiday home now, "Skydeals VIP"
Are you an agent yourself? Do you have any inside info on when a budget line is going to run with flights to Bulgaria yet?
Help!
LL

LilacLillie

Also to add, last year I never paid more than £169 all inc flight to BG, all year 8)
That's why they seem expensive to me this early in the season.
I can go almost anytime, these flights were for my son who is stuck to certain holiday times. If you are in the know, do you think prices will remain high this year because of the new demand, or will there still be late flight bargains to be had later/nearer the flight day?
I keep telling people its an awful place and not to go..............but will they believe me? Will they heck as like :-/
LL

TRAVELMAN_2

Yes-am an agent for my sins (!!!) Bulgaria is VERY popular this year & with EU membership looimng & growing property ownership flight prices are on the up.

Not heard anything at all about any economy airlines setting up.

Will have a punt round for you & post tomorrow am.

kind regards,

Chris

TRAVELMAN_2

Hi -Could get you those 1st choice flights for £211pp (excluding flight meals-based on flight prices today-can change!)-no card charge/booking fee-PM me or e-mail me if of any interest. Working till 9pm today but off 1-30-5-30 this afternoon.

Chris

budgetflyer

try

http://www.flightline.co.uk/

£200 those dates