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Post by philipt22 on Sept 8, 2017 11:24:30 GMT
After a lot of deliberation last week we tried to bag a late deal for flight only. Hell it's expensive; prices ranged from, the cheapest £420pp and rose to obscene amounts. I decided to do a bit of a comparison and found a flight to Perth, Western Australia flying with a reputable airline for £529pp. Thats a 21 hour flight and its only £129pp extra. I know Skiathos is popular which always leads to increased fares but I just can't understand how carriers can justify such a high price for a 3.5 hour flight. Is it just me that feels ripped-off or is anyone else of the same mind set?
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Post by amy114 on Sept 8, 2017 19:03:49 GMT
Not just you Philip, I feel exactly the same myself! I looked on TC for flights 2 days ago leaving Manchester for a week. Outbound flight was silly price of £41.99, inbound was around £180.99 plus £50 for cases, final price £465 and change. Now I know I am not a math genius but even I can do simple arithmetic. I went back to beginning and through process again, and the same result!I had definitely keyed in one traveller! So here is me thinking what was the extra £182 for.
Perhaps we should consider taking a holiday in Australia! Beautiful country and gorgeous beaches!
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Post by philipt22 on Sept 8, 2017 19:30:15 GMT
I did the flight I mentioned 26 years ago Amy. I was 21 then and it dragged and dragged, I actually thought we was never going to land. Now at 47 I'm not sure I'd want to do it again; after 3.5/4 hours I'm ready for landing not thinking about the next 17 to go. It was only a comparison; I just cant understand how a 21 hour flight can only be £129 more than a 3.5/4 hour journey.
You're right though Australia is a gorgeous country with some wonderful beaches but the only real drawback is the deadly things that bite in the sea and on land.
On another subject thanks for the birthday wishes Amy. I only saw them tonight; I need to keep abreast of my social media commitments.
I make yours an extra £191 for ............................ absolutely nothing.
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Post by amy114 on Sept 8, 2017 20:58:40 GMT
Understand 're comparison, have always thought same myself, the further you fly, the cheaper it can get but with Skiathos it is the old supply and demand scenario. I can remember when May and September holidays were so cheap it was impossible to understand how they could offer holidays at such a steal but the holiday companies have realised that lots of people like to holiday in the 'low' season and have jacked the prices up to the point that it is July and August that are now cheapest times to holiday!
I find that as a solo traveller my holiday can end up costing me half again compared to a couple, but it is what it is, so getting a cheap deal is almost impossible. The trick is, not to fall in love with a beautiful Greek island then you can take advantage of all those cheaper deals to anywhere else in the world! :-)
However, in terms of it being cheaper to fly to Australia, could it simply be a case of 'bums on seat's? Not financially viable to fly a half empty plane half way around the world so offer a cheap price to lure the punters in, then at least with a full plane load you can break even?
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Post by Tre on Sept 8, 2017 21:13:22 GMT
And that's why we're waiting with baited breath until late next month when Aegean flights released for next year. Flights out this month with TC; we were looking at £400+ each. No great package deals either! Currently priced similar for next June/July Hoping to get Aegean flights as we did this year .......... 🤞🤞
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Post by balddave on Sept 9, 2017 5:38:33 GMT
Just checked out last minute.com, a weeks b&b in the alkyon,from 23rd sept £1256 each !!!!! We have flights booked with Thomas cook to Tenerife on 4th October, cost £128 each. Wonder if new airport management have hiked fees to airlines .
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Post by philipt22 on Sept 9, 2017 8:01:01 GMT
£1256 each for only a weeks B&B; I'm assuming lastminute.com employees are forced to wear Dick Turpin costumes to work because that's worse than highway robbery !!! The German airport management may of increased fees but I personally feel the root-cause is just tour operator greed.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 10, 2017 16:33:22 GMT
'Late deals' used to be a thing.
Tour operators with unfilled slots would put out last minute bargains to get at least a few bob for that empty plane seat and vacant hotel bed.
But then it seemed like everyone was waiting to the last minute to book. This left tour operators not knowing how many places to book, which in turn lost them more money than they llost from the unsold holidays.
So they largely stopped the practice.
But they keep it when the boot is on the other foot. You desperately want to go to Skíathos and they have two of the last seats on a plane to the island? I hear the tills ker-chinging.
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Post by balddave on Sept 10, 2017 18:57:06 GMT
If you're flexible and able to take the risk of a last minute bargain that's great, but even then they are few and far between. Most people like to book early and hopefully get a decent deal,with the security of knowing where and when they're going. I am of an age when I can remember a group of us turning up at the airport, complete with packed case and passport,then going to each agents counter to see what was available that day. Many a good,and some not so good holidays had this way.
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Post by Tre on Sept 10, 2017 22:44:35 GMT
Our late (ish) booking for May this year cost us £250 each via Loveholidays. That included 20kg bags & transfers staying at Theodora!! Yes, being retired (early!!) we're flexible. That said, we were hopeful of joining our son & his wife (there now) but found nothing even slightly reasonable!
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Post by oldcarpy on Sept 19, 2017 12:19:52 GMT
We found that flights have been really expensive this year. But in August we bagged a week in Elizabeth Studios on 27th September for £513 - for the 2 of us - not each, as a package deal with Thomas Cook, including 15kg hold baggage and transfers (we usually cab it but at those prices...). On TC's website the same holiday is now £378 - each! Crazy.
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Post by balddave on Sept 19, 2017 16:05:38 GMT
Case of right place,right time. Non of pricing procedures make any sense. You need to be constantly watching for 'that' deal. Well done and have a wonderful holiday.
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Post by oldcarpy on Sept 20, 2017 9:13:51 GMT
Will do!
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Post by philipt22 on Sept 20, 2017 10:06:31 GMT
Great deal oldcarpy; have a fantastic time !!
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Post by oldcarpy on Sept 20, 2017 14:01:22 GMT
We will - just hope the weather stays good.
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