Geoffm From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2111 posts, RR: 7 Posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 1529 times:
Trying to go back to Thailand again, I get demoralised at the flight prices. Even last minute deals on sites like Kuoni and teletextholidays (like leaving tomorrow) are still pretty expensive. I'm actually looking for November time.
1. Can anybody list all the airlines between the UK and Thailand, whether Bangkok or Phuket? Please ignore connecting flights as there are multitudes of possibilities - unless you know a really cheap way of doing it (<£400). Any charter airlines?
2. Do travel companies still block-book seats on planes, and thus they go empty if unsold?
3. Do bucket shops still operate in the UK? With the advent of the internet, no high street travel agent seems to offer any "deals" any more (last time I was quoted £750 for a flight that cost £580 on the internet).
Crosswind From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2000, 2572 posts, RR: 59 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 1529 times:
Try using a good consolidator, such as Unijet or Opodo. These two companies have, in my experience, consistently given the lowest fares.
Unijet are offering non-stop Heathrow-Bangkok flights with EVA Air for £474 return in November (all taxes included) while Opodo is just slightly more at £485 for the same flight. Unijet also have connecting flights with Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and Kuwait Airways for between £424 and £459 return.
Geoffm From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2111 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1420 times:
Yeah, high 400s is what I was getting on Expedia too. Call me cheap, but I was hoping I might be able to save a £ or two by using less conventional means (as in charter, or some odd routing that's not too far out the way, or a late deal).
6thfreedom From Bermuda, joined Sep 2004, 3266 posts, RR: 22 Reply 3, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 1372 times:
November = peak season.
im sure u could get better fares at other time of the year.
what sort of prices where phuket airlines offering up to last week???
they have said they might recommence sept or oct.
i suggest u hold off. im sure u will find something...
Geoffm From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2111 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 1315 times:
November is only the start of peak season (still a little rainy). In fact, if you look at Travelocity, many fares don't go up until the end of November.
Phuket Air - after the stories this week?!?! No, I'm sure they're safe, but if the stories of regular tens of hours of delay are true, then I'd want to steer clear.
Perhaps I'll scrimp more on the hotel instead. HKT hotel prices are apparently way down, to attract people after the tsunami. (BTW if anybody is put off going, DON'T be put off. Most hotels are already open again - and they need out tourist $$$).
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