Booking A Holiday.....

[EcclesCake]

......should be a joy not a chore :-(

Flippin' pain in the bum trying to sort flights and hotel.......it really doesn't need to be such a faff.....grrrrr!!!

[rockyracoon]

I can't bear booking holidays, the pure aggravation of doing it online wrecks my head. I long for the days of going to the travel agent and coming home with loads of brochures to look at.

OH wants to go to South Africa and incorporate a safari, not looking forward to speaking or booking that one. Thankfully it'll take a couple of years to save for it ;)

[rockyracoon]

Doh, speaking to a tour operator!

[Zacs-Master]

You can still use a travel agent.

[rockyracoon]

All our local ones are closing down. It's the brochures I miss!

[Zacs-Master]

Must admit it was a more relaxing experience.

[EcclesCake]

What would I have to moan about then Zacs???

I'm fiddling about trying to find best flight price and best deal on hotel, it is a juggling act but as I like a good moan I'll persevere :-)

[pusskin]

when we went to Aussie this March, the tour operator took charge of everything.
She even rang us 2--3 days before we left to ask if everything was going ok, and on the day of our return. She was great. Mind you, holiday did cost a few bob.

[Hopkirk]

Buy a package holiday

[EcclesCake]

I haven't been on a package holiday since I was 17.

I'm just getting grumpy trying to find the perfect combination for flight and hotel, the fact that we are flexible makes the solution more complex.

[Barmaid]

Look on the bright side Eccles. You don't have to organise a holiday with the MOST disorganised person on this planet together with his son who has to be surgically removed from his x box/laptop.

I have a feeling that 2 weeks in a tent near Blackpool will be the end of me.

[EcclesCake]

I just book all holidays and face the consequences when they go wrong...... A Paddington Bear Hard Stare usually deals with that problem!

Anyway, I think I've found direct flights at a sensible time of day so it's just the hotel I need to book now.

Hmmm, sun, sun, sun!!!

[Hopkirk]

You get more protection with a package holiday

[EcclesCake]

Hopkirk, I fly scheduled and stay in hotels with a sensible cancellation policies plus I have good travel insurance, I'm quite happy with my level of protection.

Having said that the ease of buying off the shelf does appeal as I play the balancing act of flights and hotel at optimum price point and convenience.

[Hopkirk]

Remember the Icelandic ash cloud?

Package holiday customers were looked after far better.

Scheduled flights can be cancelled.
Package holiday operators cannot just cancel charter flights.

[EcclesCake]

I remember the ash cloud vividly I had family stuck with me for eight days as their package holiday went tits up!

When,on the odd occasion, a scheduled flight has been cancelled I've been transferred to another scheduled flight, no big deal.

I do look to see if there are packages for the hotel we want to stay at and if the flight accommodation package is a good deal I will consider it. However on the odd occasion that I have found the right combo I've found it a better deal to book direct. I accept what you are saying about protection but overall I feel that I get a good deal, and yes I have had the rare problem and it was dealt with smoothly by the airline.

My direct dealing approach has worked and overall saved me money.

[Smowball]

You're going away again?? Humph!

[EcclesCake]

The tan is fading and I'm running out of gin.......there's only one thing for it Smow......HOLIDAY!!!!!!