Visa cancelled if do not use hotel?

amatriciana

Hi all,

a query please: we are looking to go to Orlando next summer for 3 weeks (2 adults & 2 kids -aged 14 and 12 at time of travel). we have friends there, so just need flights and a car: but cannot book a flight only yet as they are not released?? :-/
this seems odd, as if I book a holiday with Virgin, they know their flight dates, times and costs. so I thought that it'd be as cheap and easy to book a holiday - but just not use the hotel room. However, I have been advised that if we don't use the hotel, our return tickets and visas will be cancelled...

is this the case? It seems really strange to me, but don't want to risk ruining what will be the holiday of a lifetime.

thanks muchly
A

Cardew

Package holidays obtain flight allocations earlier than the airlines will allow individuals to book. Certainly if you book a 'Fly Drive' package and don't take their car, they can get very awkward. I can't see that happening with a hotel room as long as you initially booked in to the hotel.


IIRC you can normally book approx. 300 days ahead on most airlines.


It is pertinent to point out that with both ways of booking there is a good chance of the schedule changing.


The question to ask is why you want to book so far ahead. There are literally thousands of flights(direct and indirect) to Orlando and if you keep watching the internet some good deals can come up - especially with indirect flights.

peachyprice

As long as you have told Homeland Security the address you will be staying at I can't see that Virgin would have powers to have your ESTA/Visa revoked on the basis that you're not using a hotel you've paid for.

As said above, there really isn't any need to book so far in advance, flight only will be released 300 days before, but if you want book a package now the easiest thing to do it spend the first night in the hotel then leave the next morning for your friends.

The flights available now on the packages are provisional dates and times only and by booking them you are agreeing that they can change when the schedules are confirmed.

Me, I'd just wait until all airlines have released their flights then book the best price, not pay through the nose for a hotel I'm not even going to use.

InsideInsurance

Why you even need visas? As others have said, Virgin dont have the right to cancel Visas. They could inform Homeland Security that you've failed to check in where you are supposed to be staying but thats all.

The flights are more ropey as you are buying a package and they can make it conditional that you must use all of the package. You'll often find that two day trip ferry crossings are cheaper than buying a return ticket with different dates but you cannot use these to do a multistay trip. They spot you didnt travel out that day when you try and come back and you get hit with having to buy a roll up ticket

As others have said, it'd be exceptionally surprising that to buy 3 weeks hotel + flight is cheaper than just flight when you dont need a hotel. Just wait until the flights open which others say is normally 10 months before hand.

As to why its 10 months before? I dont know but if I wanted to guess I'd say its to help package holiday companies sell their overpriced products with the claim of "early bird discounts" at a time when the consumer cannot price the same thing buying it separately.

blindman

amatriciana wrote: »

Hi all,

a query please: we are looking to go to Orlando next summer for 3 weeks (2 adults & 2 kids -aged 14 and 12 at time of travel). we have friends there, so just need flights and a car: but cannot book a flight only yet as they are not released?? :-/
this seems odd, as if I book a holiday with Virgin, they know their flight dates, times and costs. so I thought that it'd be as cheap and easy to book a holiday - but just not use the hotel room. However, I have been advised that if we don't use the hotel, our return tickets and visas will be cancelled...

is this the case? It seems really strange to me, but don't want to risk ruining what will be the holiday of a lifetime.

thanks muchly
A

Hi

Welcome to MSE

You're obviously a very new\naive traveller so good job you came here for better and correct advice than given by a Travel Agent :eek:

Airlines release seats as far in advance as 335 days-

Assuming you are talking about Virgin (you don't really say):-

At the moment (30th August) you can book flights on Virgin LHR-MCO up to August 1st 2015

Looking at their holiday packages looks like you can book up to April 2016
This is of course misleading as all they do is take your money and then, 335 days beofre your April 2016 holiday allcoate your flights (which will have changed -so you won't get your chosen times etc.)

The good point is you only need a deposit and not the whole amount
Bad point is you have to stay\pay for their hotel...

So IMHO (and others) it's NOT a good idea to book through a TA for this very simple holiday.

As to the threat of cancelling the Visa (ESTA?). Virgin holidays leave it up to YOU to buy this so how can they cancel it?
Package T&C's may have a clause that commits you to staying in their hotel-with consequences if you don't. But if you check in how do they know\care what you do until it's check out time?
More lies from a TA :eek:

So as others have said-
Wait until the flights are availlable to book-
Compare indirect and direct prices.
Get an idea on what is a reasonable price for your time of year.
Look around on MSE for others who have got bargains.
Possibly wait to see if any "Sales" come up and book.
Once booked don't check again!

Only downside of DIY is you have to pay the total airfare in one go.

Have fun

Cardew

and visas will be cancelled

Just to emphasise the point made above. I assume you mean ESTA and not a Visa??

UK(and many other countries) don't normally need a Visa. You can apply for an ESTA see:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/ This link doesn't for some reason take you to the exact page - but search using ESTA


All USA travel needs ESTA

How to pay no more than the $14 fee

By Jenny Updated 25 Jul 2014

Warning: There are a lot of rogue websites and indeed travel agents who charge a hefty fee to obtain something you can easily do yourself.

Westin

Hold on. The OP doesn't say that the advise was from a travel agent, so don't all start the TA bashing chant. I'm not a travel agent before that gets thrown back..

To answer the OP's question, no, Virgin Holidays will not cancel the return flight or the visa. It is certainly possible not to use the hotel element in the package but as someone points out, may not offer the best value.

Another option would be to buy a Fly Drive with Virgin Holidays (or another tour operator). That would allow access to the flights now rather than wait for them to be released in GDS range, typically 11 months out.

To your title question...Visa cancelled if I don't use hotel? the answer is NO

Cardew

Westin wrote: »

Another option would be to buy a Fly Drive with Virgin Holidays (or another tour operator). That would allow access to the flights now rather than wait for them to be released in GDS range, typically 11 months out.

However the 'drive' element of the package can incur huge additional costs for purchasing insurances for the vehicle.

Westin

Yes, you are right Cardew, car insurance/extras can push the price up and you need to be aware of these.

They may however still find a FD cheaper than flight+hotel and get use of the car during their stay.