Haggling with Tui?

LlamaLlama

Hi, i have never booked a package holiday before and would like some advice.
I have been looking at a Tui package holiday to a resort recommended by a friend. I am looking to go in October and the price is (according to their website) already has a 30% discount.

How successful have people been in negotiating with Tui? IS it better face to face or phoning
Thinks i would like
- A cheaper total price
- Upgrade from 7 to 10 days
- Choose my seats
- Adjoining rooms

Westin

They are not market traders. TUI will not haggle to get a booking from you. An old school travel agent might be willing to look if they can beat or better a deal on a similar type of holiday but this is unlikely if you have a specific TUI branded hotel in mind.

TELLIT01

If you don't ask you don't get, but I would only attempt it face to face. Staff on the phone won't be interested, or able, to offer extras. Staff in a branch, may have some leeway.

NoodleDoodleMan

Thinks i would like
- A cheaper total price
- Upgrade from 7 to 10 days
- Choose my seats
- Adjoining rooms

TUI High Street stores might offer a minor sweetner to get your booking, otherwise the rest is wishful thinking.

You might get adjoining rooms, (if the hotel can accommodate) however the staff can only request that and are not going to give you a cheaper "bottom line" price than an already 30% discounted offer.

A 10 day holiday for the price of 7 ? No way.

Seat selection is always an extra charge in my experience.

Until relatively recently TUI shops charged a £25 admin fee to price match online package deals. Our local store has ceased that policy as customers were simply making the same booking from home computers. I assume that now applies everywhere.

Best go with the internet deal.

strawb_shortcake

I recently booked a cruise through TUI, I could have got a similar price through P&O we should have paid £2750 and they offered to knock £50 off. They won't go out of their way to win your custom

Caz3121

price it up individually DIY and compare that to what TUI can offer for 10 days including seat assignment.
I assume you have checked the flight timetables to check that a 10 day holiday would be an option (some locations they only operate once a week so only 7 or 14 day options)

LlamaLlama

Thanks all. Good to know what the real world experience is before i speak with them. I won't be too disappointed now if they don't budge.

TELLIT01

As Westin says, independant travel agents might me more inclined to offer either small price reductions or add ons free. I've just found out that my in-laws booked a Jet2 holiday that way and did get a discount.

NoodleDoodleMan

price it up individually DIY and compare that to what TUI can offer for 10 days including seat assignment.

DIY packages have their drawbacks - when something goes wrong you don't have TUI or Thomas Cook etc. to fall back on as Duty Of Care responsibility.

We experienced this in Malta, April 2010, when the volcanic ash grounded all flights - we were with Thomas Cook who kept all clients in the same hotel room and board basis until they were able to charter an Air Malta aircraft to get everybody home.

A large DIY group in the hotel were obliged to pay upfront to remain in the hotel and make alternative transfers and flight arrangements to get back - cost them nearly 1000 Euro each.

ttoli

If you only knew how slim the profit margin is on package holidays , even a regional Manager for TUI would not have the authority to offer
- A cheaper total price
- Upgrade from 7 to 10 days
- Choose my seats
- Adjoining rooms

deejaybee

TUI were/are on Topcashback, but when i booked a £2K holiday, the cashback was only 1% and even then i didnt get it in the end.