Free child places...

Dontknowanymore

Hi
I am looking to book an all inclusive holiday for my 2 children and I for May 2013, have found a couple that I have shortlisted, in the Balerics and they have 'free' child places. I was wondering how quickly these deals go? Or is it a case of that 'deal' ends then another one comes along meaning the holiday will be a similar cost anyway?
I was initially looking at booking with a deposit in July or August as I will have to get the deposit together. I want to book as early as poss then pay it off rather saving then booking nearer the time, which when I have looked doesn't really seem to give big discounts anyway.
Any info/tips or anything gratefully received!
The holiday I am leaning towards is First choice exclusive so can't book seperately and because this will be our first holiday abroad I think it will be best for me to do a package deal.

zagfles

IME "free child places" are always a con. If you are say 2 adults and 2 children, they'll insist you get an apartment for 4. But then as you've only 2 adults staying it in they charge an "underoccupancy" charge, as the "free child places" don't count towards the occupancy!

Maybe that isn't always the case but watch out for this con trick!!

Dontknowanymore

Thnx, someone who works at first choice said they get snapped up and then the holiday will go up by £400-£500! :eek:

needaholiday

I have been to tghe same place 4 years running and the price has always increased when the free child place has gone so I would recommend booking early. You can book hotels and flights seperately with First Choice so I would cost the holday that way too as this sometimes works out cheaper. Once child places have gone on my particular destination they have gone and I have never seen them come back.

needaholiday

Just been looking on Thomson site and as an example the price of the place I am going this year for 3 of us is currently £3300 but to go next year with free child place is just £2088.

Dontknowanymore

needaholiday wrote: »

I have been to tghe same place 4 years running and the price has always increased when the free child place has gone so I would recommend booking early. You can book hotels and flights seperately with First Choice so I would cost the holday that way too as this sometimes works out cheaper. Once child places have gone on my particular destination they have gone and I have never seen them come back.

Spoke to first choice this morning and the woman said as long as I am a bit flexible with dates and accommodation then by the time I have the deposit together there should still be free child spaces.
Where do you go?
I tried costing it seperate and it's almost double the price! :eek:

needaholiday wrote: »

Just been looking on Thomson site and as an example the price of the place I am going this year for 3 of us is currently £3300 but to go next year with free child place is just £2088.

Yes see the place I really want to go, to go next week which is the time of year I want to go next year is about £100 more, and has a free child place? but I don't want to leave it till the last minute to book.

Basically I can get the deposit within 6-8 weeks, so hopefully I wont have missed out on all the free child places, I have shortlisted 7 on first choice.

needaholiday

We go to San Miguel Hotel in Puerto San Miguel Ibiza. First two years we booked a package and had free child place but past two years we booked flights and hotel seperately with Thomson as it worked out cheaper. This year however the price of the room is £800 more for the fortnight which is ridiculous. I even e mailed head office to check if it was a mistake but they say not. My daughter is now too old for free child place so I have had to book room direct with hotel this year and have booked cheap flights with Easyjet.

Dontknowanymore

needaholiday wrote: »

We go to San Miguel Hotel in Puerto San Miguel Ibiza. First two years we booked a package and had free child place but past two years we booked flights and hotel seperately with Thomson as it worked out cheaper. This year however the price of the room is £800 more for the fortnight which is ridiculous. I even e mailed head office to check if it was a mistake but they say not. My daughter is now too old for free child place so I have had to book room direct with hotel this year and have booked cheap flights with Easyjet.

Ahh ok, that is one of the other places I have shorlisted too.
Wow that is a massive hike in price! Did you get a good deal bookin direct then?
This will be our first holiday abroad so I am reluctant to do seperate bookings.