BA - Just flights or Flight & car.

[Manny Haines]

What to do, option 1 or option 2?

In a couple of days our return flights will be released but I am betwix and between about booking.

The flight only option is coming in at £2100 for the 3 of us for 3wks.
Turn it into a BA Holiday by adding a car and it’s the usual eye watering prices, £3500 for a small car but we’ll need an SUV. and the prices jumps up to nearly £3900.

So, 2 options, what would others do?

Option 1 - Just booking the flights and ride it out on the car hire and book separately via a 3rd party
If I do this do I pay for the flights in full just now? (It’s not a problem the cash is there)

Or do you have more protection if booking the Fly Drive?

Option 2 - Book the small car just now and over time should the holiday cost reduce (the car hire elements drops, which I think is most probable) call BA and swap cars to a bigger SUV and get the reduction?

It’s a gamble I know, so just putting this out there to get some others views and opinions.

I remember 3yrs ago this happened, I changed my booking to a larger vehicle and the overall cost was less than my original booking.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

For August 2022 I have opted for your Option 1.
I will source the car elsewhere

[SuziQz]

I only wanted to pay a deposit this time (it was too stressful with BA holding all my money before they cancelled the flights in 2020) so I’ve gone flight plus hotel at the airport the night before to make it a package. We only want a car for a few days so I’ll sort that separately when I’ve decided on which days I want it for.

[bronny]

We’ve done flight + hotel at LGW will get a car if the prices come down

[Sara_toga]

We have done a flight and a hotel for first night at aiport in Miami.

Car booked through Andy at DFCH so much cheaper than with BA.

[loldis]

You don't really get more protection with a fly drive. The only added protection over a flight only booking is end-supplier failure. There are multiple ways to have this covered, e.g. pay by credit card, travel insurance, etc.

I'm not sure the hire car shortage is going to end any time soon, so I wouldn't book a rate you're not happy to pay. So it would be option 1 for me. Get some separate quotes, Andy at DFCH is highly recommended on here.

But to give you an option 3, add one night's hotel in custom trip. This will give you the option to pay deposit only. And also turn it into a package, although already stated my thoughts on that. Doesn't even have to be in Florida, you can use this to book your airport hotel. But BA also tend to have good rates on the Universal hotels if you are going there and thinking of booking one for the Express Passes.

[Manny Haines]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

For August 2022 I have opted for your Option 1.
I will source the car elsewhere

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That’s my gut feeling Sir Tom, for as much as I think car rates will come down, no doubt the flight prices will increase.
And from what I can see 3rd party prices are working out to much of a muchness of what BA are changing.
You’ve settled it for me…

[Manny Haines]

Originally Posted by loldis

But to give you an option 3, add one night's hotel in custom trip. This will give you the option to pay deposit only. And also turn it into a package, although already stated my thoughts on that. Doesn't even have to be in Florida, you can use this to book your airport hotel. But BA also tend to have good rates on the Universal hotels if you are going there and thinking of booking one for the Express Passes.

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Hmm, I didn’t know there was a 3rd option.

We actually do need a hotel on the date of arrival as we are flying into Mia. so need a nights kip before embarking on our road trip the following day.

One shall report back after I’ve explored this option 3 you speak of.

[Stitch & Smudge]

Originally Posted by Manny Haines

Hmm, I didn’t know there was a 3rd option.

We actually do need a hotel on the date of arrival as we are flying into Mia. so need a nights kip before embarking on our road trip the following day.

One shall report back after I’ve explored this option 3 you speak of.

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Have a look at the custom trip option, first night hotel in Miami and collect the car in the morning when you get up, (from a hotel or other outlet, not the airport). It can make a huge difference.

[Sara_toga]

Originally Posted by Stitch & Smudge

Have a look at the custom trip option, first night hotel in Miami and collect the car in the morning when you get up, (from a hotel or other outlet, not the airport). It can make a huge difference.

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Can I ask why not the airport? We are collecting from the airport for the first time.