Pay Monthly For New York?

michele-p

Most of the hotels on booking.com are pay on arrival, so get saving for the flights, book a cancellable hotel, in case you see a deal later, and that will help spread the costs.

Indout96

duchy wrote: »

Packages are rarely cheaper

Hi Duchy
We put our own holidays together since the mid 90's but lately we have found packages are working out cheaper.
We fly to NY on Sunday and bought in the BA Christmas sale way cheaper than I could put it together Same with South of France this September - cheaper in BA sale than I could get.


Same next year going to Mexico in June and Orlando in Sept, both via Thomas Cook from Manchester. Maybe we were lucky as we booked both the week the results of the inquest in to the 2 childrens deaths came out and maybe TC were expecting a backlash so slashed prices.

NiftyDigits

Indout96 wrote: »

Hi Duchy
We put our own holidays together since the mid 90's but lately we have found packages are working out cheaper.
We fly to NY on Sunday and bought in the BA Christmas sale way cheaper than I could put it together Same with South of France this September - cheaper in BA sale than I could get.


Same next year going to Mexico in June and Orlando in Sept, both via Thomas Cook from Manchester. Maybe we were lucky as we booked both the week the results of the inquest in to the 2 childrens deaths came out and maybe TC were expecting a backlash so slashed prices.

Maybe if you want to go with the same airline, on the same flight and stay in the same property.. Late package deals perhaps.
Otherwise I would disagree, strongly.
You'd be surprised as to the kinds of prices available.
I just posted open jaw return flights to SE Asia for as little as £213 from December til July. That would net me a complete flight package for £230 and I'm free to negotiate the accommodation of my choice.
What packaged holiday could compete?
Same with Mexico. Flight packages abound from around £200 return in peak season..
New York? We flew To Miami, Rio de Janeiro and New York for £515 with BA and American Airlines. You won't have these opportunities with packaged holidays.

duchy

As an ex travel agent I can only agree- packages have their place but the presumption they are always cheaper is one I'd strongly disagree with when talking about the US (which is where the OP is going) and scheduled flights (New York unlike Orlando doesn't have charters - and Mexico is not in the US )

I understand some people can't be bothered to research and book seperately but for me I'd rather spend the time rather than the money (and there are some great hotels that never make it into the package holiday pages too.)

SW17

I think the scope of packages has changed. If you are considering them narrowly in the traditional tour operator package sense, fixed combinations and possibly on charter flights, then doing it separately will frequently be cheaper.

If, however, you look at dynamic self packaging through people like BA Holidays and Expedia, there are deals to be had, because they are able to utilise IT fares and deeper hotel discounts, especially with chain hotels. Of course, these can still be beaten by the dedicated and knowledgeable researcher, but on many occasions people will find them good value, especially if they don't have the time or experience to sniff out the best bargains themselves.

richardw

Caz3121 wrote: »

probably too early to book for next Xmas...but BA Holidays do a deposit and balance 10 weeks before departure and I expect Virgin will do similar

My thoughts as well.

charliewocka

I booked a BA package deal for flight and hotel and it worked out FAR cheaper. Suggest you check it out.


And I always spend hours checking out flight/hotel options to book individually and try to save money!