holidays - why are they so difficult to book?

RedBern

been looking to book a holiday for week commencing 28th July - and there's lots of last minute deals but they're flippin' expensive.

Called into the local Thomsons this afternoon. I asked for a brochure for Greece, none left, but not a problem. I said I was looking for a last minute deal for next weekend, 7 nights in Greece. The girl made a face and shrugged and said 'there's not a lot around' (which blatantly isn't true if you look at the website!) I asked was I likely to get anything for £400 per person and she shrugged again and said she didn't think so! Why didn't I call in when I had more time (I had all the time in the world )

So had a look at the Expedia site. Select your holiday package destination - put in dates - and up comes a list of holidays with all the regions - Corfu - from £272 - click continue - cheapest holiday in Corfu for that date? £390. Crete - from £304 - cheapest £436

Now, it may just be me - but if a holiday is shown as 'from' a price, then I'd expect that 'from' price to be showing as that is the rock bottom price and the others are - well 'from' that price?

Moan over.

richardw

Too many people may be booking because of the rain, it's demand getting in the way of low prices.

tajna

same happened to us when we looked for a last minute holiday last week; we were flexible with dates and location and have visited independent travel agencies, Thomas Cook, Thompson and they all came up with ludicrous prices. reason they gave us what richardw has said, due to crap weather in UK, there is a high demand for holidays and they are holding their prices

Bob_the_Saver

Shock horror! Last minute July booking not really really cheap!!!!!

claire16c

Isnt that the busiest day of the entire year for holidays?

Well i think the prices on Expedia are 'from' any date, not your date.

Id keep looking Im sure theres something you might just have to make some compromises.

budgetflyer

You probably stopped the Thomson girl midway doing her nails

Theres plenty on https://www.icelolly.com for around those dates.

Search anywhere , 30 July +/- 3 days , from any airport, any board.

ie Kos £183 Newcastle 28 July

You will have booking fees, luggage + transfers, insurance to add on though

stephb34

The problem is the weather if it was hot n sunny here there wouldn't be so many people wanting to go abroad. Capacity was cut by 10% for this year by the big operators so that makes less choice.
Redbern what did you want for your £400, was it sc,hb,ai, 1 week, 10days, 2weeks. If there's lots on the website why don't you take a print off into the shop or book it yourself.
As for the holidays that said "from" perhaps the one's that were the starting price had been sold and the website not updated yet.

falc_2

just tried to book a holiday. It seems that for about £700 I could go somewhere where I would see large ads for The Sun, lots of concrete and abundant ghetto blasters. Anything diy in Europe and the flights appear to costs £500 + for 1 adult and 1 child. So depressed now. Actually can't bear to turn round to my son and tell him we're not going on holiday.

falc_2

and when I say tried, I mean spent a couple of days or more trying. There seem to be plenty of hotels, just not enough flights.

Bennifred

RedBern wrote: »

.........................................
The girl made a face and shrugged and said 'there's not a lot around' (which blatantly isn't true if you look at the website!) I asked was I likely to get anything for £400 per person and she shrugged again and said she didn't think so! Why didn't I call in when I had more time (I had all the time in the world )...................................

She's in the wrong job, or needs some re-training!

RedBern

stephb34 wrote: »

The problem is the weather if it was hot n sunny here there wouldn't be so many people wanting to go abroad. Capacity was cut by 10% for this year by the big operators so that makes less choice.
Redbern what did you want for your £400, was it sc,hb,ai, 1 week, 10days, 2weeks. If there's lots on the website why don't you take a print off into the shop or book it yourself.
As for the holidays that said "from" perhaps the one's that were the starting price had been sold and the website not updated yet.

Thanks. Was just looking for 7 nights in a quiet Greek resort, with a pool and no noise, for 2, me and my daughter. Son no. 2 has now decided he'd like to come, so 3 of us. Have had a look on teletext and there's some on there, just need to check the resorts on trip advisor.