Booking a vacation package
 

Hi all,<BR><BR>I've been searching for about a month for a vacation package to London in April and was wondering if anyone had booked theirs seperataly as in airline and hotel or both together through the internet with expedia, orbit, or travelocity. Or would it be better to go to a travel agent? I guess what I really want to know is which was is the least expensive. Thanks

Bess, I'm not sure there is a &quot;one size fits all&quot; answer to your question. I think it just takes a lot of research to find the best deal. Have you checked gotoday.com? I know many people on Fodor's have had good luck with them. Also, check out the various airlines websites to see if there are any specials. Some airlines, like American, have air/hotel packages. Sometimes you can do better booking them individually but you won't know until you start gathering some info. If you don't have the time or don't want to hassle with it, then call a travel agent and see what they can do for you pricewise. You might find that it's very competitive with what else is out there.

London is really easy to put together yourself, but if you feel uneasy about that check out British Airways, they have a lot of package deals of hotel and air. If not them, American does too.

Bess, A trip to London is easy to put together yourself.<BR>But if you do prefer a package deal be aware that packages are many times priced per person based on double occupancy.<BR>If you book the hotel yourself ( not as part of a package) rooms are usually priced per night and not per person.<BR>

Bess,<BR>Went to London in March last year and booked a package thru United Airlines at a great price. Everything went smoothly, the hotel was great, airport transfers included as well. We are returning in March of this year and booked thru Go-Today at an even better price. I've booked trips myself but it is nice to contact one company and have everything taken care of for you. Of course, I'm not so sure of United this year because of the bankruptcy issue.

Bess, right now go-today.com has a package to London for $650/pp, includes round trip airfare (MAX western US cities add-on $200), 6 nights hotel accommodations on Thistle Kensington Gardens (good reviews), continental breakfast daily, Hotel taxes and service charges. That price is good till June 15. The closer to the summer your travel is, the better deal this offer is.

American Airlines has a package to London, Scotland, or the British countryside which is very reasonable. Go to AAVacations.com and search for Go Britain. Only catch with cheap price is the trip has to be completed by Mar. 31. <BR><BR><BR>

Be very careful when you are comparing prices, see whether they include the 17.5% VAT... it can really add up!!!