Do air on my own or through tour?
 

Hi all,

Ok, we finally decided to do the Globus tour "Italy at Leisure" next September. The tour leaves on Thursday, 9/30/04 but we will be flying out early to Rome on 25th. If we do air with the tour it will be close to $900. Do you think I can get a better rate doing it on my own? We will be flying from either Orlando, FL or Tampa, Fl to Rome on 9/25.04 and returning from Milan on 10/10/04.

I checked rates on expedia and right now the cheapest was about $1100.00 I'm sure I can get way better than that because it's too early still.

Please advise on what my best option is.

Thanks,
Linda

There is always the "bird in the hand" aspect, but getting a fare for significantly less than $900 during that period is going to be a relatively safe bet. I would wait. It shouldn't be difficult to shave off a couple of hundred dollars per ticket and it could easily end up being more.

Gosh, I would think you can do better than $900 at that time of year. Personally, I'd do it on your own and just check fares religiously from now on. You should be able to do it for $700 or less with careful monitoring. Do you have a consolidator? Mine checks fares for me over a period of several months to get me the best deal, and it usually IS the best deal.

Another thing to consider is that if you buy air as part of your tour package through Globus you won't get the FF miles.

Although it probably isn't enough $ to make up for the savings you'll realize by purchasing the air travel yourself, be aware that Globus' airport transfers won't be included for you either. Be prepared to arrange your own transportation to and from your first and last hotels.

I took a different European tour with Globus five years ago and was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed it. They made everything easy. Have a great time, Livette!

Hi Livette,

It is too early for discount fares for September. You should be able to find fares in the 700 range in March/April.

I have found http://airtravelcenter.com/onetrav.htm
to be a good discounter.

Please be aware that any time you are flying into one city (Rome) and out of another (Milan) you will pay more than you would for a straight round-trip ticket. Transportation from/to airports in Europe can be spendy as well as time consuming. While September is not "high" season for European air it is still a very popular time to travel, especially to warmer countries in Europe. If this is your first trip to Italy I would suggest making it easy on yourself and doing air through Globus.

I'm surprised at an earlier comment to the effect that you wouldn't get frequent flyer miles-I don't believe that is necessarily accurate. You'll want to double check on that, Livette.

"Please be aware that any time you are flying into one city (Rome) and out of another (Milan) you will pay more than you would for a straight round-trip ticket."

That should be, "you MAY pay more."

I have been lookng at a trip to the UK, flying into London and out of Manchester. The fares have been running about the same, or lower.

Keith

I've always paid less for open jaw tickets, than I would have for round trip. Maybe I just lucked out.

Fyling into one city and out of another--the old "open jaw". And there is no rule that says it is more expensive.Sometimes its cheaper and the only way to know for sure is to try it and price it.

Did you already book the tour? If not, definitely wait until December. Most tour companies (Globus, Trafalgar, Insight,etc) offer a "buy one air, the companion flies free" package. These discounts will be advertised on the company website in Late Nov-Dec and again in March(then the companion flies for $100). Hopefully you didn't book yet, my parents saved $800 on their trip last year w/ the buy one get one deal.

travelinwifey: Thanks for the tip! I'm planning a trip for three - and saving on airfare for 2nd person would be fabulous. FYI - you can always get credit for miles with your Frequent Flyer Account by sending documentation after the trip (usually within 6 months). I've done it several times for my boss, who travels regularly.

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the information you all provided. I will check out the sites noted and also investigate about the buy one air get one free. That's GREAT to know! No, I haven't booked the tour yet so I'll wait. However, I was going to book with Affordable tours because they offer a substantial discount. I'm wondering if that buy one get one free would apply with them also? Hmm, probably not huh? I'll wait and see.

Thanks again for the advice.

Linda

The companion flies free promo will be through Globus and all consolidators honor the discount. If for some reason the travel agent doesn't give the discount just remind them. I used www.trafalgartours4less.com (they discount all escorted travel companies)to book my parents trip. Affordable didn't give me a price quote that included the free companion air which really turned me off. I think the agent was either trying to take advantage of me or was new. Anyhoo, those air promos are great savings and my parents got the flights they wanted. Best to book in Dec. and not wait until March. Many who tried to book the deal in March were locked out because most of the seats were taken from the previous promotion. Hope this helps.

Glad I could pass on the savings!(~~)

I guess I am just a big chicken. I like to book through the tour company because then if there are delays they can take complete responsibility for you. Also, if you insure everything when you make your deposit, most companies will cover you for a pre-existing medical condition. And, even though I have no medical condition, I do have to take into account family members who are not traveling. I never heard of not getting air miles if a tour company books. That would be interesting to know as I have a South Pacific trip coming up in two weeks and planned on getting mileage.

Can only speak for myself, but I booked an air inclusive trip with Globus last summer and was credited with FF miles for every leg of the trip.

I was very pleased with Globus, less so with the flights, so this summer I think that I'll book the flights on my own.

British Airways had a special this past Sept. for well under $900 for travel in Sept. I just bought a ticket from Denver to London on BA for February for $318 R/T. There are specials throughout the year with all the airlines. Sign up to Orbitz or Cheap Tickets email notification (that's how I found the BA special $318). Always remember that once you get to London you can fly on Ryan Air and Easyjet who have great fares all over Europe. Some fares are less than 1 euro (.99 euro) one way. (Brussels to London). Yes, I said 1 euro! Check their websites. I will be in London (Delta $484 R/T from Denver) November 24 and will fly to Rome R/T on November 26 for $59. I've been to Europe in July and August/September with the crowds. So now, I'll try London and Rome in November with less crowds. Then London and Venice (Carnival) in February.

Even if Globus books the flights for you, if you arrive several days early pre tour, you don't receive the airport transfer benefit. Same goes for departure. If you stay longer, you lose the airport transfer benefit (and you don't get a reduction in your tour cost either - it's extra gravy for Globus)

Hi,

I had no idea you could fly that cheap from London to other parts of Europe!!! Wow, I have to do some serious research here.

I decided to drop the tour and plan it myself. I'm having so much fun doing this and this board is such a wealth of information.

Keep it coming all :-).

Thanks,
Linda

Right now, Globus is offering a $200 pp deal on airfare if booked for April onward 2004 tours by 12/31. TT is also offering a similar special of one person pays the full amount, the 2nd person flies for $99 (plus the taxes, I assume. TT wants the trip paid for by 12/31, but I think Globus only wants the deposit by 12/31.

We have gone on many tours--sometimes with the tour company a/f and sometimes on our own, if we can get a good price. We have always gotten our FF miles on our flights, no matter whether or not we booked or they booked. mhm

My spouse and I arelooking at a Norway tour and right now and my a/f would be $99 + taxes--which are geting higher and higher. A friend and I are going to Spain in March and we've done our own a/f, saving about $300. This savings can be significant when you live on the west coast, and most tour prices are from NY, so there is alway a air supplement.