Thought I had a countdown but now I’m now sure 😭😭😭

[*jovi_girl*]

A couple of months ago I went to a local travel agents (millingtons) because I’ve always used them and had excellent service the last few times I’ve flown to America with them.

So I asked for a quote for next Easter for Just flights and they quoted me £2300 for 4 of us (me, adult DD, 14 and 16 yr DS’) but couldn’t book because it wasn’t yet 11 months before the flight.
Left £350 deposit which is totally refundable because I haven’t actually booked flights yet.

So I went in last week because it’s 11 months now so I thought I’d be able to book properly. She said the cheaper flights still hadn’t been released, only the dearer ones and they were keeping an eye on them for me.

Got an email a couple of days ago saying flights were available but they were £4900 (flights only).

Looked online and I can get a full package holiday including flights, hotel and car (unneeded) for around £4000 so no way I’m
Paying that just for the flights.

Went in again today and still no cheaper options for flights only.

So now, even though I added my countdown, I still don’t actually have my holiday booked and I’m getting seriously stressed over it 😭😭😭

I can’t book the package holiday yet because they wanted £1,000 deposit which I don’t have right now

[RickT]

Skip the travel agent, they are only there to make money for a service which you can do yourself direct with the tour operator.

[*jovi_girl*]

Originally Posted by RickT

Skip the travel agent, they are only there to make money for a service which you can do yourself direct with the tour operator.

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Where would you suggest I book flights?

[Pussycat Doll]

Start by setting up alerts on Kayak and Skyscanner so you can keep an eye on prices. Have a look at Thomas Cook and Norweigen for flights, they are often the cheapest. Consider indirect or look at direct to Tampa which is an hours easy drive and usually cheaper.

[*jovi_girl*]

Originally Posted by Pussycat Doll

Start by setting up alerts on Kayak and Skyscanner so you can keep an eye on prices. Have a look at Thomas Cook and Norweigen for flights, they are often the cheapest. Consider indirect or look at direct to Tampa which is an hours easy drive and usually cheaper.

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Thanks. I’ve never had much luck with Skyscanner in the past but I’ll look again

[sha9]

You just need to be patient and keep checking. Have a price in mind. The downside of booking flights yourself is that you’ll most likely have to pay in full though so that may be an issue.
Just to ask, who on earth asks for £1000 deposit for a package holiday? Is that normal? I haven’t booked a package for ages.

[tinytots]

Book a BA flydrive and you only have to pay a £300 deposit

[*jovi_girl*]

Originally Posted by sha9

You just need to be patient and keep checking. Have a price in mind. The downside of booking flights yourself is that you’ll most likely have to pay in full though so that may be an issue.
Just to ask, who on earth asks for £1000 deposit for a package holiday? Is that normal? I haven’t booked a package for ages.

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That was Thomas cook

[BrightlyBob]

Connecting flights are cheapest and that’s where you’ll see the sub-£500 numbers, although close to departure the charters (Thomas Cook and Tui) really cut fares. Worth remembering to look at Tui, they fly into Sanford so you’ll need to pay fir transfers or hire a car. I booked my flights with them in August for this July and as a matter of interest followed the flight costs periodically ever since. For the most part Tui have been the cheapest of the 3 that fly from Manchester (Tui, Thomas Cook and Virgin) but as you can see below, prices have varied. Surprisingly Thomas Cook has mostly been the priciest...

FLIGHT UPDATER - £90 added to Tui eco as it doesn’t inc bags, the rest do.
2017
06/08 Tui eco £730, pe £910; TC eco £770, pe £1440; VS too early , too early
30/08 Tui eco £730, pe £910; TC eco £790, pe £1370; VS eco £880, pe £1200
18/09 Tui eco £730, pe £890; TC eco £640, pe £1140; VS eco £740, pe £1070
28/09 Tui eco £700, pe £850; TC eco £600; pe £870 ; VS eco £740, pe £1040
03/10 Tui eco £700, pe £860; TC eco £620; pe £1070; VS eco £800, pe £1080
12/10 Tui eco £700, pe £860; TC eco £740; pe £1070; VS eco £750, pe £1040
23/10 Tui eco £700, pe £850; TC eco £790; pe £1360; VS eco £650, pe £1040
05/11 Tui eco £700, pe £840; TC eco £640; pe £1180; VS eco £650, pe £970
20/11 Tui eco £690; pe £840; TC eco £790, pe £1130; VS eco £650; pe £990
02/12 Tui eco £690; pe £870; TC eco £740, pe £1080; VS eco £770; pe £1050
13/12 Tui eco £690; pe £870; TC eco £790, pe £1230; VS eco £770; pe £1410
14/12 Tui eco £690; pe £870; TC eco £790, pe £1230; VS eco £650; pe £1100
25/12 Tui eco £690; pe £870; TC eco £740, pe £1180; VS eco £650; pe £1100
26/12 Tui eco £690; pe £870; TC eco £690, pe £1180; VS eco £650; pe £1100
2018
05/01 Tui eco £690; pe £870; TC eco £720, pe £1180; VS eco £650; pe £1020
15/01 Tui eco £740; pe £880; TC eco £730, pe £1180; VS eco £650; pe £1030
28/01 Tui eco £820; pe £960; TC eco £690, pe £1120; VS eco £590; pe £1030
07/02 Tui eco £730; pe £870; TC eco £680, pe £1130; VS eco £590; pe £1020
14/02 Tui eco £620; pe £750; TC eco £680, pe £1020; VS eco £670; pe £1270
08/03 Tui eco £650; pe £870; TC eco £610, pe £900; VS eco £700; pe £1270
15/03 Tui eco £640; pe £840; TC eco £580, pe £940; VS eco £720; pe £1100
17/03 Tui eco £570; pe £780; TC eco £580, pe £940; VS eco £760; pe £1300
21/04 Tui eco £490; pe £xxx; TC eco £720, pe £1060; VS eco £790; pe £1080
11/05 Tui eco £590; pe £760; TC eco £590, pe £1070; VS eco £720; pe £1120
18/05 Tui eco £540; pe £710; TC eco £670, pe £970; VS eco £760; pe £1100
02/06 Tui eco £550; pe £720; TC eco £670, pe £1020; VS eco £790; pe £910