Package Vs Booking direct

[teac532s]

Ok folks anyone reading this from Belfast will know how it is. We will not be able to make Home this year due to trying to move house etc , so decided to start early for next year. Went to the only 2 operators we have here T Cook and Thomp. Long story short T cook have not released flights yet for next June though you can book a package with them for next June. They have informed me the flights only option will be around £350 pp when they are released. Off to Thomp then. Flights only option £349 pp plus another £48pp for 20kg luggage for next June making the flights for 11 people £4.005.00 Now!!! 2 weeks with T cook next June , Flight , transfer , apartments £480pp. 2 weeks with Thomp next June varies pp but for 11 people the whole package is £4,680.00 , only £680 of a difference from the flights.
So from the above you can see why it is not really any cheaper to book directly if flying from Belfast as we only have 2 operators.
I was wondering if anyone from the mainland had experienced similar or is it cheaper to go direct from mainland due to number of operators.

[smc4761]

We are in a slightly similar position. WE normally fly from Glasgow and whilst there is a better choice of TO, flight prices from Glasgow are similar to Belfast.

Cheaper flights are to be had from Manchester and Gatwick generally. However I have flown from Manchester once and would not do it again. By the time you add in travelling costs to the the airport a possible overnight stay both ways it will work out similarly priced and its not worth the hassle

Are there no other companies fly from Belfast, Monarch, Easyjet, Jet 2 etc

[teac532s]

Not that I can see , the only 2 are the big 2 as they are called. I had looked at travelling to mainland first but as you say by the time you factor in the cost of another flight etc it works out more. I will state that I would rather book direct or through ICR and let the apartments get the fair share of the money as I am sure the big 2 only pay them a pittance out of what they charge. Makes me wonder though what would happen if the big 2 did go bust. No hols to Turkey from Northern Ireland if that were to happen. Just wish jet2 or someone would start flying from Belfast to Turkey , I am sure the business would be there for them.

[swc24]

Guys

why not get ICR to give you a quote they can put a package together for your which includes flights, accommodation, and transfers
Try the quote system on the new website or drop [email protected] and e-mail with your requirments and I am sure you will be happy with what the quote you

Steve

[stevew]

I'm with Steve on this one,,
My son and his girlfriend were quoted £1050 for a two week holiday in OluDeniz, package for 2 from Manchester.. He gave Icr a call, They are now on a 2 centre ( Oludeniz, 1 week, Icmeler 2nd week) Inc transfers for £870..They left for Olu yesturday..
Thanks to Icr
Steve

[teac532s]

I can see where you are all coming from but our problem here is just having 2 TO to chose from. I would book with ICR if it just myself and my family going but some of our party only have the deposit for hols at the minute and would not have the full flight price which would be needed up front. I am 100% sure ICR would get us the apartments cheap but not sure about the flights as I am sure the big 2 would still be charging the same price if they asked for the quote. Hopefully in the future Easyjet or someone will see the sense in putting on flights from Belfast. The first year we went we flew with Onur but dont think they are doing the Belfast route anymore.

[JT]

Looks like the same as every year is happening again

The big 2 offer packages which are expensive but put their flights out at a dearer price to make you book the full package with them

Happens every year and all of a sudden the flight prices once they get enough people either not buy a package or maybe buying one drop in price and then its a lot cheaper to book through us

I think one of our member and he is also a member on trip advisor actually posted on here and on ta a few weeks ago about me arringing something for them from Belfast way under what they had been quoted.maye Stewart could find it on Ta his name was Steven

[teac532s]

After reading what JT says about the flight prices I will now ask the rest of our party to put off booking (was going to do it this Friday) and keep putting money away for a while until we see what happens with the flights. I know T cook have not released them yet so plenty of time. Hopefully they will fall then we could book through ICR as i am positive JT could arrange apartments which would suit us as another issue with the big 2 is you are limited to their apartments and they may not suit. If the flight prices do not fall still no big deal as we would be booking anyway.We are looking for next June so loads of time yet.

[smc4761]

AS JT says Steven did manage to get a really good deal through ICR. With their price promise you really cant go wrong and the service is first class

In the end Steven got his whole holiday flying from Manchester cheaper than the flight costs from Belfast. A bit of a no brainer really