Comments on: More flexibility in package holidays needed http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/01/07/more-flexibility-in-package-holidays-needed/ Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:52:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: AnnaE http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/01/07/more-flexibility-in-package-holidays-needed/#comment-134502 AnnaE Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:56:00 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=2780#comment-134502 I think what Nic meant by a "scheduled package" is a vacation package when you can pick your flight and hotel and it's bundled together by a travel agent. You travel on a normal commercial airline on a normally scheduled flight. A "charter package" is a once-weekly flight to wherever operated by a vacation charter company + hotel. There's only one departure time and that's it. You can choose your hotel though. I've been on a charter package before simply because it was cheap. Even with the hotel included, it was still cheaper than a normally scheduled flight to the same destination. We simply left our stuff in the hotel and went exploring the country. I've also used only the flight portion of a charter package and it was also a very good deal - the company screwed up and we ended up flying back on a commercial airline. Next week I am going on a package trip again (yes, I know, the world is coming to an end). But since I have something important to do in Antigua anyway, and Virgin Holidays had a good price on a flight+hotel bundle, then why not? It worked out cheaper than arranging everything separately. And the hotel turned out to be an all-inclusive. And they even upgraded us to a better room (at least it says so on the booking thingie that came in the mail) because their stupid system wouldn't allow me to book and pay on the internet, as I don't live in the UK. LOL! This will be fun. And you are right, it's 2009. Then why do Virgin Holidays still send out PAPER booking info/tix by post? huh? I think what Nic meant by a “scheduled package” is a vacation package when you can pick your flight and hotel and it’s bundled together by a travel agent. You travel on a normal commercial airline on a normally scheduled flight. A “charter package” is a once-weekly flight to wherever operated by a vacation charter company + hotel. There’s only one departure time and that’s it. You can choose your hotel though.

I’ve been on a charter package before simply because it was cheap. Even with the hotel included, it was still cheaper than a normally scheduled flight to the same destination. We simply left our stuff in the hotel and went exploring the country.

I’ve also used only the flight portion of a charter package and it was also a very good deal – the company screwed up and we ended up flying back on a commercial airline.

Next week I am going on a package trip again (yes, I know, the world is coming to an end). But since I have something important to do in Antigua anyway, and Virgin Holidays had a good price on a flight+hotel bundle, then why not? It worked out cheaper than arranging everything separately. And the hotel turned out to be an all-inclusive. And they even upgraded us to a better room (at least it says so on the booking thingie that came in the mail) because their stupid system wouldn’t allow me to book and pay on the internet, as I don’t live in the UK.

LOL! This will be fun.

And you are right, it’s 2009. Then why do Virgin Holidays still send out PAPER booking info/tix by post? huh?

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]]> By: Darren Cronian http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/01/07/more-flexibility-in-package-holidays-needed/#comment-134488 Darren Cronian Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:35:55 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=2780#comment-134488 @ Nick I'm confused, whats the difference between a "scheduled package" and a "Charter package" holiday? @ Nick

I’m confused, whats the difference between a “scheduled package” and a “Charter package” holiday?

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]]> By: Nick http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/01/07/more-flexibility-in-package-holidays-needed/#comment-134483 Nick Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:37:27 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=2780#comment-134483 Darren Main reason packages are the same as in your post is they are on once a week charter. But you want a scheduled package (remember flight + Hotel is package) the problem is the internet does not display these very well, but even at peek sales charter packages only made 50% of the market. That’s why you need a travel agent ;) Darren

Main reason packages are the same as in your post is they are on once a week charter. But you want a scheduled package (remember flight + Hotel is package) the problem is the internet does not display these very well, but even at peek sales charter packages only made 50% of the market.

That’s why you need a travel agent ;)

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