Can Anyone Price Match Virgin Holidays?

TELLIT01

Westin said:

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.

A 30% to 40% reduction is way beyond wishful thinking.  An independent TA may be able to reduce the cost by a few % but that's about all.

eskbanker

TELLIT01 said:

Westin said:

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.

A 30% to 40% reduction is way beyond wishful thinking.  An independent TA may be able to reduce the cost by a few % but that's about all.

Perhaps someone's been watching The Apprentice recently?

For anyone steering clear, one of the weekly tasks involves price negotiations, and last week's episode plumbed new depths when a deluded candidate, facing a list price of £20, offered £1.50, to widespread ridicule from seller, teammates, viewing public, and, of course, a certain irascible entrepreneur and his sidekicks....

strawb_shortcake

TELLIT01 said:

Westin said:

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.

A 30% to 40% reduction is way beyond wishful thinking.  An independent TA may be able to reduce the cost by a few % but that's about all.

Someone I know has recently become an independent travel agent, (though I think it borders an MLM)
They claim commission on a package holiday is 10-18% flights 5-10% and hotels 8-15%. 

silvercar

A virtuoso travel agent may be able to get you an upgrade, either a better room or possibly half board.

f4phixeruk

eskbanker said:

TELLIT01 said:

Westin said:

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.

A 30% to 40% reduction is way beyond wishful thinking.  An independent TA may be able to reduce the cost by a few % but that's about all.

Perhaps someone's been watching The Apprentice recently?

For anyone steering clear, one of the weekly tasks involves price negotiations, and last week's episode plumbed new depths when a deluded candidate, facing a list price of £20, offered £1.50, to widespread ridicule from seller, teammates, viewing public, and, of course, a certain irascible entrepreneur and his sidekicks....

Same happens on 'A Place in the Sun'. Properties priced at £250000. I'll put in a cheeky offer of £150000. Then they wonder why it gets rejected

TELLIT01

There was an episode of the Apprentice some years ago where one of the contestants tried pleading with a vendor to reduce their price or they could lose their place on the show.  The response was along the lines of "Tough.  That's your problem, not mine!".  Brilliant

NoodleDoodleMan

I wonder if the OP has thought this one out thoroughly in comparison with other luxury holiday options ?

Being on a remote tiny island resort for 7 nights is not a scenario that I would be comfortable with, regardless of how good the accommodation and facilities on offer.

No opportunities to go out and about locally for example - which is a welcome part of a traditional holiday IMO.

Stir crazy luxurious style - or the ultimate chill out ?

For the money involved perhaps an AI cruise ?

Everybody to their own of course.

strawb_shortcake

NoodleDoodleMan said:

I wonder if the OP has thought this one out thoroughly in comparison with other luxury holiday options ?

Being on a remote tiny island resort for 7 nights is not a scenario that I would be comfortable with, regardless of how good the accommodation and facilities on offer.

No opportunities to go out and about locally for example - which is a welcome part of a traditional holiday IMO.

Stir crazy luxurious style - or the ultimate chill out ?

For the money involved perhaps an AI cruise ?

Everybody to their own of course.

I always wanted to go to the Maldives, purely on aesthetics I guess, my Husband suggested we went for for our 25th wedding anniversary, he quickly retracted that when he saw that there was very little to do but sit, swim and other water based activities. 
I hadn't actually consider that I'd be bored, but with some thought I realised I needed more than a pretty view and and be able to say I've been to the Maldives.

We are still planning to go to the Indian Ocean, but likely to go to either Mauritius or the Seychelles. I'm leaning more towards the Seychelles, but I think Mauritius is more likely to be in the budget of the OP, but I think there is only one resort in Mauritius that has ocean bungalows. The Seychelles still needs some research but I think there's a bit more to do and see there

TELLIT01

My wife also fancied the look of the Maldives, but that changed after I raised the same points as those raised above.  Add to that I don't swim and I'd be going crazy within 48 hours.  Mauritius seems the best alternative, but even there you need to research carefully as weather patterns are very different in different areas of the island.  No great surprise really as it is about a thousand miles long :-)