Can Anyone Price Match Virgin Holidays?

PrincessOw

Hi there,

We are looking to book a holiday for a big birthday and I would love to see if I can get it much cheaper.

Destination: Maldives
Number of travellers: 2
Dates: April10th-April 16th (slightly flexible on dates as long as we are there for April 15th)
Room type: Includes 1 x Overwater Villa Pool with Seaplane Roundtrip Transfer King
Board type: Includes Bed and Breakfast

Quote with Virgin Atlantic Holidays is £4,091.21 per person for the above dates. I would love to see if we can get this for at least £2,500-£3,000 per person. The hotel we are looking at, and that the quote is for, is The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.

Help, pleaseeeee. 🙂

Thank you

NoodleDoodleMan

Have you checked accommodation prices with the hotel direct ?

That would be the first line of enquiry, then look at separate flight prices for a DIY deal.

Is that in your local schools holiday timeframe - if so that will impact on prices.

PrincessOw

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Have you checked accommodation prices with the hotel direct ?

That would be the first line of enquiry, then look at separate flight prices for a DIY deal.

Is that in your local schools holiday timeframe - if so that will impact on prices.

Thanks, Noodle. I have checked quite a few booking sites, including the hotel site and all are quoting around £5,000 for the hotel stay alone.

DullGreyGuy

PrincessOw said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

Have you checked accommodation prices with the hotel direct ?

That would be the first line of enquiry, then look at separate flight prices for a DIY deal.

Is that in your local schools holiday timeframe - if so that will impact on prices.

Thanks, Noodle. I have checked quite a few booking sites, including the hotel site and all are quoting around £5,000 for the hotel stay alone.

But that is presumably per room not per person?

Where you flying from or flexible? Direct flights only or a change ok?

That this year or next?

NoodleDoodleMan

Try Destination2.co.uk

I did a random browse around - they came up as £3249.00 B&B, flying from Heathrow.

No opening to check upgraded room prices though - and local transfers were not in evidence.

I would be cautious about B&B on a remote island - the cost of add on meals etc. is likely to be extortionate.

Virgin may be the best deal when all factors are considered - keeping in mind that a proper package deal from them removes the uncertainties of a DIY if/when (God forbid) a problem arises - that's just my mindset though

eskbanker

PrincessOw said:

Quote with Virgin Atlantic Holidays is £4,091.21 per person for the above dates. I would love to see if we can get this for at least £2,500-£3,000 per person. The hotel we are looking at, and that the quote is for, is The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.

Help, pleaseeeee. 🙂

Post on this thread, in the specified format:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/509598/beat-my-quote-travel-agents-thread

DullGreyGuy

NoodleDoodleMan said:

I would be cautious about B&B on a remote island - the cost of add on meals etc. is likely to be extortionate.

Yes, in 2018 the  mains were about us$35-$50 but you have to add on 12% tax and 10% service to the price in the menu. A beer was us$12.87 inc tax. Add on 7 years of inflation 

Can't quickly spot additional more recent menus but this time last year it was $140 to go full board per person or $240 to get full board plus limited drinks

silvercar

Look on the trip advisor Maldives forum for travel agents that specialise in the Maldives. Also look at British airways holidays as they often discount the flight when you book a hotel through them.

jimi_man

BA Holidays were £4.8k each.

I had a look on booking.com and it's £6000 for six nights - breakfast and dinner included. Flights are £1850 for two, so £7850 altogether (£3925 each). Does include dinner though. 

Saves £165 each and the cost of dinner. 

Short notice and Easter holidays means a lot of money I guess.  

TELLIT01

It's worth checking with an independent travel agent on the High St.  Somewhere with a physical presence.  They may be willing to reduce their margin on a high value package like that.

Westin

TELLIT01 said:

It's worth checking with an independent travel agent on the High St.  Somewhere with a physical presence.  They may be willing to reduce their margin on a high value package like that.

I doubt that the margin (to cut) is anywhere like the difference the OP is hoping for.   VH have quoted £4,091 pp and OP was hoping for £2,500-£3,000 pp.  That is a big wishful thinking.