Booking package holiday but only using the flights?

lea

Hello
Is this ok?! We are getting married in Skiathos, Greece in September. We are looking at flights for our family as have already found the accommodation we want to stay at, which has to be booked direct with the owner.
Looking at flights from Stansted or Luton,
And as they are only once a week, the flights are quite pricey. Incredibly, some of the package holidays with flights and accommodation are coming out £100 cheaper per person. Is it ok to book the packages and use the flight only??

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks
Lea

lea2012

Yes you can do that,it's more common than you think
The only thing I would suggest is that,on arrival, you find the rep if you have one and let them know you won't be using the accommodation out of courtesy.

bagand96

In practice it's usually fine. However it may well be against the T&C's of the tour operator.

If you go down this route, don't tell the tour operator before you go (as lea says just tell the rep when you arrive). I'm sure there was a thread on here where someone had told or asked Thomas Cook in advance and they'd threatened to cancel the return flight as it was against their T&C's!

littlereddevil

You could always check in to the accomodation at some point and check out before you go home

InsideInsurance

In theory it may be in breach of the terms of contract and you could find that if you did it that they cancel your return flight.

Either get it OKed up front or check in and check out

There are plenty of flights from LHR to JSI with a short layover in Athens

lea

Thanks everyone, think I'll risk it and check in and out of the accommodation too.
The flights from Heathrow via Athens are a good alternative for some if our guests, but wanted direct flights for my parents who have mobility issues.

Thanks for all your advice!
Lea

pmramsay

I did this to get a cheap holiday in crete a couple of years ago. Booked with olympic, used the transfer to the hotel. As it was late I spent the first night at the booked hotel and then moved the following day to a different resort/hotel. I let the hotel know when I was there and let the rep know before I left. Neither had any issues with it, the hotel even said they would keep the room for us in case we fancied a night on that resort!!

If you don't intend to use the transfers or hotel, definitely let the rep know as soon as you land otherwise a bus full of people will be waiting for you.

Thats_My_Name

I once did this to Greece with Olympic Holidays and ended up with a bill for the accommodation. It was in their T&C's but I had not read them.... my fault!

maman

I think I'd go through the Ts&Cs with a fine tooth comb before making a decision.

bagand96

I once did this to Greece with Olympic Holidays and ended up with a bill for the accommodation. It was in their T&C's but I had not read them.... my fault!

What exactly were they billing you for? If it was a package holiday you booked then you'd paid for the accommodation. Why would they bill you for it again? Unless it was a penalty fee for not using it?

crazycamper

If its a normal package holiday with tour ops like Thomas Cook, Thomsons, yes you can do it. You need to advise the tour op that you will be not be using the accommodation. You cannot do it on long haul holidays or club 18-30 type holidays.