Take a package holiday without the flights?

silvercar

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Usually if you don't take the outbound flight the remainder of the contract is cancelled.
Best to ask the TA though.

Can you explain this?

If we don't turn up for the flight it goes without us. If we time the easyjet flight to arrive at the airport the same time as the Thomson flight we just walk up to the Thomson airport greeters and get their transfer.

Or do Thomson monitor check-in and then within two hours notify the coach girls and the hotel that the rest of the package is cancelled.

bagand96

The only people who can give you a definite answer are Thomson so they are the people to ask.

If you do not present yourself for check-in for the package flight, then the reps in resort and the hotel may be told not to expect you in resort. In practice, who knows whether this would happen or not, but again only Thomson know.

I assume you have checked to see if a similar Thomson package is available from Luton? Does booking the package, and then shelling out extra for Easyjet Luton flights, really work out better than sorting out parking and an overnight at Gatwick and using the flights you'd already have paid for?

budgetflyer

Can you not phone Thomsons up ? They may be able to do the hotel without the flights for a slight discount.

silvercar

bagand96 wrote: »

I assume you have checked to see if a similar Thomson package is available from Luton? Does booking the package, and then shelling out extra for Easyjet Luton flights, really work out better than sorting out parking and an overnight at Gatwick and using the flights you'd already have paid for?

Yes. Its only flights to Milan and Thomson don't do Luton departures for the italian lakes.

silvercar

budgetflyer wrote: »

Can you not phone Thomsons up ? They may be able to do the hotel without the flights for a slight discount.

Then I would lose the online discount and quidco.

Also, depending on the response on here, it may work out cheaper to ask Thomson if I can not take the outbound flight, as I will already be in Italy, so will still be booking the return flight to preserve the package.

apt

The easyJet flights from Luton to Milan do not land until 9.25pm so when you take into account the lost half day at the hotel, the cost of a dinner which you would miss on the first day, the cost of your own transport from the airport to the resort, and the cost of easyJet hold luggage it would be more straightforward and economical to find affordable accommodation near Gatwick and take the included flights.

silvercar

apt wrote: »

The easyJet flights from Luton to Milan do not land until 9.25pm so when you take into account the lost half day at the hotel, the cost of a dinner which you would miss on the first day, the cost of your own transport from the airport to the resort, and the cost of easyJet hold luggage it would be more straightforward and economical to find affordable accommodation near Gatwick and take the included flights.

Good point.

Heathrow have a 12.30 lunchtime flight which would be ideal. Heathrow is nearer than Gatwick and wouldn't involve an overnight stay. (also have enough miles to get the flight for tax alone with bmi)
.

bagand96

Travelodges at Gatwick can be had for around £30 a night (based on a random search in August). Even the Marriot including one weeks parking is £80.

Is this really more hassle than trying to not use flights you wll be paying for?

silvercar

bagand96 wrote: »

Travelodges at Gatwick can be had for around £30 a night (based on a random search in August). Even the Marriot including one weeks parking is £80.

Is this really more hassle than trying to not use flights you wll be paying for?

Yes it is more hassle and cost. For a 7.30 flight we would only stay in the hotel joined to the terminal which would cost a lot.

it would be a lot more hassle than driving to heathrow for late morning flights.

stephb34

As a general rule if you don't use the outbound flight then the package is cancelled, but we do have customers that miss their flight out and catch the next available flight there is to get them out there but the tour operator does have to be informed immediately to be able to hold the hotel and the return flight. So if your brave and dare risk it you could miss the outbound flight, inform thomsons you've missed it so they hold the accommodation and then when your settled in a few days before you come home let the rep know you dont want the flight home so they're not waiting for you at the airport. Sounds good in theory but don't know if i'd dare, but is something for you to consider.