Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2009 0:30:09 GMT 2
It was inevitable considering the way things are, but tonight on the BBC 10pm News it was announced by TUI that Thompson and First Choice will be increasing their 2009 prices by 10%. Another £30 to £50 per person. Another reason to search for those independent holidays.
Yeiamas, Chris
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marg
Roda Probationer
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Post by marg on Jan 4, 2009 13:24:29 GMT 2
We have been coming to Roda for 22 years and 2009 is the first time we have been unable to get a flight from Bristol unless we want to pay £420 each, how mad is that! its dearer that a transatlantic flight. We are having to travel to Gatwick for our flight which is a long way from where we live and not really convenient as we dont want a 3 1/2 drive to the airport, but the things we do to get to Roda!! Marg
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Post by artisans on Jan 4, 2009 14:22:30 GMT 2
What reason did they give for the increase, Chris?
Steve
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Post by artisans on Jan 4, 2009 14:34:36 GMT 2
Hi Marg - it's clear that the tour operators are just manipulating both the prices and their customers by loading the costs of European routes as opposed to transatlantic ones. It's possible that customers flying to Europe are actually subsidising US flights as operators 'persuade' their clients to visit destinations that suit them. I'm afraid that operators are more concerned with shareholder profit than they are with customer satisfaction. Well done for sticking to your guns!
Steve
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2009 15:00:24 GMT 2
The reasons they gave Steve were sceptical, but along the lines of the downturn in the economy and the exchange rate. I do wonder sometimes if there is a ploy in this sort of price rise. At the moment the GBP is down on the Euro, virtual parity, yet the Dollor v Euro is rising. Therefore if as mentioned above, by charging more pounds they get more Euros, which in turn is turned into more Dollars. I am no financial expert, but it does make me wonder sometims.
Added to this, we have airlines such as Ryanair chopping and changing routes with the normal O'Leary, I do not give a d**n, and Easyjet not giving what they are suppose to give in the way of cheap flights.
As we pointed out before, we will not see the prices coming down for a year or two until such times as airline receive the fuel they have purchased under the cheaper options, then I would expect that something else would have been added to recoupe that cost.
Maybe in time to come when BAA give up some of the airports, the monopoly might change, which will allow the spread of airlines to local airports.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by alankeegan on Jan 4, 2009 15:11:39 GMT 2
Another reason to search for those independent holidays. I can only speak for myself but I'm finding it cheaper to book a package rather than booking independent. Just looking on a few sites & have found 14 nights B&B at The Pegasus for 2 people for £750, that's including transfers & in flight meals. Cheapest flight only from Manchester so far is around the £450 mark, add on the cost of transfers & accommodation then I think we would lose out on that deal.
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Post by sthelenssaint on Jan 4, 2009 15:26:37 GMT 2
on my preferred dates 2wks in fiona /theodoris £960 easyjet from gatwick £117 manchester£214-230 still waiting for price on aparments
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Post by fireman01 on Jan 4, 2009 18:41:16 GMT 2
Got to agree with alan, We already booked package for this year in september staying at Elizabeth, When we booked 2 weeks was £650 for everything. Flight only was nearly £600 both flying from Exeter. Prices now 2 weeks at Elizabeth £860 Flight only now £500. So it seems tour operators are pushing people towards packages.
wally
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2009 1:26:28 GMT 2
As I said, those who did get in before the Credit Crunch will have compared to prices now, a good deal. If a company is pushing up the prices of package deals, then invariably the flight only will increase, because as we know, the price of accommodation that tour operators can get them for is ridiculous in some cases.
There are some good deals around on the independent route, but like most things it is a case of hunting them out.
Yeiamas, Chris
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Post by artisans on Jan 5, 2009 20:04:33 GMT 2
Chris - these people are taking the 'mickey' - if the economy weakens and exchange rates collapse, then we should all suffer equally. Much of the responsibility for such trends falls on the shoulders of investors who are too greedy and, when a problem comes along, it is us, the peasants, who have to bail them out so that they still get their dividends. With rules such as these, the rich get richer at the expense of the poor. Companies such as TUI employ dozens of financial experts who forecast market trends for at least the next three years. On the basis of these plans, prices are set for the forthcoming season. 2009 is barely upon us and already they are hiking up their prices by 10% - are they saying that their experts were wrong? - and how many have been sacked for getting it wrong?
Steve
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Post by petra on Jan 5, 2009 23:21:12 GMT 2
We booked our flights from holland to kerkyra (july) about two/three weeks ago. This week, somebody told us the prices are changing at the moment because people are scared / waiting to book because of the "crisis". So the tickets will become cheaper then if the story is right. I will tell you more as soon as I know more.
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Post by turbogirl on Jan 6, 2009 21:13:46 GMT 2
Having kept an eye on internet prices over the Christmas period (expecting good deals/discounts to be available) I finally rang Directline-holidays- got the tel number from website - & ended up with an excellent deal. Have now booked Spiros 1 for 15 June = 2 weeks with all the usual included i.e. day flights, transfers, in flight meals, insurance etc. for just £802 for us both, which is only a few pounds more (about £30) than last year at the Aphrodite so am well pleased. It is well worth spending a few hours trawling around. I had considered independent flights/accomodation but when this was all added up it was cheaper by approx. £200 to book a package, so not being a lottery winner this is what we went for. For a while there we were considering holidaying in UK but as I am married to a real Rodaphile this was never really an option --- so -- back to our favourite place again which has put a big smile on hubbies face, not that I object as I love it too. So for all you lucky people who will not be denied your yearly "fix" I am so pleased to be able to say, "see you on the beach & the FGT". Credit crunch or not we work hard all year and have earned the luxury that is Roda.
LOL
Syl xx
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Post by jacanste on Jan 7, 2009 12:11:24 GMT 2
I agree with you Syl. My husband and myself have delved into the independent ways but have found that for us, the package is the cheapest option. My husband is not a £100,00 per year tea boy at the local Council offices but a delivery driver and I am a pensioner, but we made an 'executive decision' by deciding that we would make sacrifices and save every penny we could so that we were able to have our yearly fix at Roda. JackieM
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Post by turbogirl on Jan 7, 2009 12:33:49 GMT 2
Good for you JackieM, but if only we had been aware of the new flights from Manchester 24 hours earlier we would have gone "independent" (see other posts). We, like you are not rich a Bob is a bus driver & I work part time in an office so finances are worked out carefully. Like you, though, we do what it takes to have our holidays in Roda. If you haven't booked yet try looking at the Easyjet site if you are within Gatwick, Bristol or Manchester area & you should find a good deal. We will definitely be going independent next year if they are still doing flights to Corfu from Manchester.
Syl.
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Post by artisans on Jan 7, 2009 12:37:40 GMT 2
Hi Jackie - It seems that all of us are going to need to tighten our belts in 2009 if we are to hang on to the things we value most. The problem is that, in any period of austerity, we actually need a holiday more than when things are going well. How about some ideas from members on how to shave a few pounds off our weekly budgets to guarantee a much needed holiday in Roda?
Even the homeless need ideas on how to manage better, and here are a few suggestions from this week's 'Big Issue':
Take your own lunch to work rather than buy it ready-made
Cook big food in bulk - stews, casseroles, chillis
Freeze leftovers to be microwaved later
Grow your own vegetables & herbs
Stop buying bottled water - use the tap
When I look at these points, they immediately remind of the way that Greek people live. In Roda, most of the people we know, live this way permanently - even the most affluent still grow their own. Maybe the answer is - GO GREEK now and GO GREEK this summer!
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