Need flights to Florida in October - how to pay?!

[Deleted User]

Dear money savers,

I'm having a family reunion in October in Florida, my relatives have sorted the hotel, we just need to get the flights.

I'm waiting for an insurance payout for me to be able to afford the flights, however this has been delayed a couple of months now. The flight costs seem to be going up on a daily basis so I need to get these booked.

Does anyone know of any reputable travel firms who let you spread the cost of the flights? Tried Thomas Cook so far who wanted £1000 deposit which we can't really afford yet. We don't have credit cards either.

HXDave

where in florida are you going?

If, by chance, you need to fly into Orlando, you have a few options. Most flight only's (scheduled & charter) quite often require tickets to be issued immeadiately, hence the full cost having to be paid. However, have a look at a fly drive with someone like thomas cooks, thomson or Virgin holidays. Dont request any car hire insurance and dont even use the car when you get there. however, as it has effectively been booked as a 'holiday', rather than a flight only, you should be able to pay a deposit, with the remainder due 8/10/12 weeks before travel.

With other destinations in florida (maybe with the exception of Miami - where depending on where you want to fly from you could possibly do the same as above with Virgin) it may be a little bit tricky, as you will probably only get flights only. there is a company that we use - however it is trade only, where you can - on selected airlines- juat pay a deposit, however this does not gaurantee the fare and if the airline increases the fare in your 'class of travel', you are lumbered with the higher fare, or you cancel and lose your deposit.

Hope this helps a little.

HXDave

[Deleted User]

Yes we're going to Orlando, we were going to hire a car anyway so I'll look into that. Thank you!

malkie76

You'll have issues hiring a car and even staying in a hotel without a creditcard.

HXDave

malkie76, good thought there. totally forgot about that. Perhaps you could look into the possibility of your family in USA hiring a car, and adding you on as named driver.

HXDave

[Deleted User]

I think last time we had booked it through car hire 3000 and paid up front before we went. Although they may want to swipe a credit card as security or something. In which case they can swipe my Dad's, he he. Or I could maybe get one of those pre-loaded ones just before we go.

Inactive

[quote=[Deleted User];41519580]I think last time we had booked it through car hire 3000 and paid up front before we went. Although they may want to swipe a credit card as security or something. In which case they can swipe my Dad's, he he. Or I could maybe get one of those pre-loaded ones just before we go.[/QUOTE]

Will not work, they are not really Credit Cards as such.

malkie76

[quote=[Deleted User];41519580]I think last time we had booked it through car hire 3000 and paid up front before we went. Although they may want to swipe a credit card as security or something. In which case they can swipe my Dad's, he he. Or I could maybe get one of those pre-loaded ones just before we go.[/QUOTE]

As pointed out above, a pre-pay card won't work. You'll need a creditcard with sufficient available credit. They may also insist it's a card held by the main driver, but of course a family member could hire the car and have you as a named driver.

Butts

Inactive wrote: »

Will not work, they are not really Credit Cards as such.

You could get a Cashplus Pre-Paid Card they can be used for car hire (if the facility is activated). Depending on the amount of deposit required you would have to "load up" beforehand which can be done by bank transfer or at a PO free of charge.

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone!

cubegame

Strange that you find flights going up daily. I would imagine that the best price for October will be had in July or August. Just because they are going up doesn't mean they won't come back down.