Teresa - new policy

[Jimbo]

I'm not clutching at straws. You mention ONE example of a four hour delay as a result of a fight, and then extrapolate that into implying that it's some kind of norm, which it isn't.

In 2009 1464 Easyjet flights were delayed by more than 3 hours. Using your logic, we should say "Don't fly Easyjet - you can have up to more than 3 hours delay."

I dislike intensely this use of "up to" - it's common to see "Up to 90% discount" - which means nothing. An average time is much better. For example, in 2009 76.29% of Easyjet flights arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, which sounds a lot more flattering.

I would guess that on average a taxi from Corfu Airport to SS takes one hour, and the Thomson or any other coach two hours. That's the advice I would give.

As you rightly say, prices are fluctuating on a daily basis. This is a peak time for booking, and I guess that it's a bit like sugar futures or stocks.

Personally, having been in two emergency landings and other scary events (NEVER Fly internally in India if you can avoid it!), I would severely restrict what goes in overhead lockers. On average, planes do not drop several hundred feet, but I'm here (fortunately or not) to tell you that when they do those lockers can spring open and drop a load of stuff into the cabin. Not nice. I can quite happily fit a couple of cameras and a laptop into a flight-bag and still be within a reasonable weight restriction - not that I can remember the last time anybody weighed my hand baggage.

   

[Bristle Boy]

My twopennyworth for what it's worth - i'll keep it simple

Bristol to Corfu Friday 10 June 2011 for 14 nights

Thomsons - staying at Teresas on a B&B basis for 2 people, coach transfer included (could be upto 2hrs 30 mins) a price of £966 currently showing on Thomsons website

Ejet + Fedra Mare = £300 flights, approx £90 return taxi (took us 50 minutes in 2010, complimentary can of Mythos for the journey), accomodation approx £400 on a s/c basis = total say £800. Charge for Brekkie everyday for 2 at FM would be approx £6 = £84 for two weeks.

So around £80 cheaper at FM with Ejet

Thomson flights are better times though.

I'd prob go for Ejet + Fedra Mare again if we were visiting in 2011 and Dimi's brekkie is better than Teresas IMO
Having said that the Thomson price seems fair enough to me

[sparky]

i think you might be losing this one jimbo

[Jimbo]

Yeah. I'm up to 600% sure of that!

BUT - I have emailed Thomson asking for an explanation of their baggage allocation anomalies. In the unlikely event I get a reply I'll let you know!

[YANNIS26]

This thread is getting very complicated so I thought I would attempt to get it down to basics.I hope this will clarify the merits or otherwise of booking direct or via Thomsons.
When I book I weigh up the following.
Cost
Convenience
Can both I and the hotel owner benefit from my decision.
I live nearest to Newcasle or Leeds airports but chose to fly from Manchester because the cost was a major factor in my decision.From a convenience point of view Manchester added 1hr each way to my transfer time plus an extra 15 pound in diesel costs.
I have priced Thomsons prices as of today and my holiday cost on what I paid when Easy Jet flights for summer 2011 came out.I have used basic costs plus luggage in all cases which I believe gives a truer comparison.The costs are based on 2 people.
All costs are based on 14 nights holiday commencing 17th June 2011 at the Romanza Hotel.

Direct booking flying from Manchester with Easy Jet.
Total cost including taxi transfer,hotel and 15 pounds of extra diesel        700 Pounds

Leeds package tour with Thomsons with free transfer by coach               1230 Pounds

Newcastle package tour with Thomsons with free coach transfer              1348 Pounds

I know these prices will change dramatically thoughout the next few months but it is my honest opinion they will be hard pushed to match my deal.Do not forget the prices quoted are Thomsons so called sale prices.
As a matter of interest the hotel charge was 350 pounds a great improvement to the hotelier on what Thomson pay him.
In conclusion if you have access to a low cost airport booking direct at the right time is difficult to beat.It is a case of everyone wins but Thomson.
Yammas
Yannis

[Waspman]

Thank you Yiannis, it’s nice to see someone else who researches and explains the facts.  It appears that your private booking is remarkably similar to mine.  I think you told me that your flight times are not so good, whereas, I think I told you that mine are great, day flights to arrive at San Stefanos at lunchtime, and return flights leaving in the early afternoon, having said that, Thomson’s flights would have also been great.

I know that in previous years you’ve always gone with Thomson whereas I usually go private so I’m glad that we can now both enjoy the many extra glasses of Mythos (with our kumquat marmalade on toast) with the money we’ve saved.

We’ve both got fantastic deals as will many others, but as I've suggested before it won’t suit everybody!!

By the way, I’ll be staying in one of the “cheaper” hotels too.

Hopefully I won’t have to post on this thread again, but who knows??

[Gavlah1973]

We've done both independant and via tour operator in the past few years to various places, both hols last year were with tour operators, Egypt and Corfu
I'd say 8/10 it's cheaper to do it independantly HOWEVER I also feel that if you're not talking much difference then I'd still go with the tour op as it's hassle free.
Also in this climate I like the safety of booking everything through the tour operator as at least you know you're covered if it all goes belly up!

[Bristle Boy]

then I'd still go with the tour op as it's hassle free.
Also in this climate I like the safety of booking everything through the tour operator as at least you know you're covered if it all goes belly up!

I'd agree with the "in this climate" sentiment - but i would defo feel safe with Ejet - what i wouldn't do is use a small-time specialist package operator.

As for the cover if things go belly up - AXA do a travel insurance policy with an independent traveller's clause for a little extra premium - well worth a look for all those booking independently and not using a Thomson or Thomas Cook.

[Jimbo]

I really miss the "small-time specialist package operator." Way in the past, John Morgan and Jenny May, then a bit later Laskarina, offered a wonderful experience because they really knew the places and the people. I spent many years going to Lindos and knowing Jenny (Mamma Lindos) and lots of people in what was then relatively small. Those days are over.

What's has happened is the steady absorption of these small companies by the monoliths like Thomson and Thomas Cook. Kosmar sat nicely in the middle until the directors sold the company and then the parent went bust. I think those small companies did a great job. I'd really like Lindos to be as it was, but it isn't. It's probably still one of the most beautiful villages in Greece but it's been surrounded by vast concrete swathes of studios. Very sad.

It would be sad if waspman didn't post here again. I'm sorry if my research wasn't up to scratch. I have severe back pain at the moment.   

[loftyscot]

Ahh, we went to Ornos in Mykonos in 2001 with a small operator - can't remember which one. We stayed in a white sugar cube apt with the blue door on a hill. Night time involved a walk down the dusty path to the bar by the bus terminus where my pregnant wife and I watch the immaculately groomed men hop on the bus to Mykonos Town for the nightlife.

Lazy village where the delight of sipping a warm red wine from a heavy tumbler at the bus stop bar was enlivened by the roll of the dice on the worn backgammon boards. Then out to the headland cafe for a bowl of hot food and some pitta to wipe up the sauce.

No reps in the village - it was magic! In fact even writing this makes me want to go back, but no direct flights from God's own country.

[don]

Ahh, we went to Ornos in Mykonos in 2001 with a small operator - can't remember which one. We stayed in a white sugar cube apt with the blue door on a hill. Night time involved a walk down the dusty path to the bar by the bus terminus where my pregnant wife and I watch the immaculately groomed men hop on the bus to Mykonos Town for the nightlife.

Lazy village where the delight of sipping a warm red wine from a heavy tumbler at the bus stop bar was enlivened by the roll of the dice on the worn backgammon boards. Then out to the headland cafe for a bowl of hot food and some pitta to wipe up the sauce.

No reps in the village - it was magic! In fact even writing this makes me want to go back, but no direct flights from God's own country.

We stayed right at the top of the hill looking down on Ornos to the left and the beach where Shirley Valentine ate to the right. Some 5* palace immediately across the road. Apart from the Polish family who managed the apartments we were the "only straights in the village." A non-stop laugh of a holiday. Absolutely brilliant as were the people we met. Since seen one of the couples at Thomas Bay. They did listen then.

[Denise]

We're going to Teresa's in August with Thomson and we've got 20kg each.

[Waspman]

Doubtful whether you'd get 20 Kg if you booked now Denise, Check it out and let us know.

[don]

20kg available with Thomson. No problem.

[Jimbo]

You'll be amazed to hear that Thomson have not replied to my logged request for clarification on baggage!

The current distribution on the website is:

15kg - Thomas Bay, Athina, Therese, Romanza, Tsaros
20kg - Stamatis, Little Prince, Barras, Olgfa, Voula

This is for June - ex Doncaster - same flight. You may notice that there's an exact 50/50 split on the distribution which raises suspicion of an automated system designed to grab a few extra quid here and there.

There is no significant correlation with price, and I'm grateful to the Right Honourable Waspman for pointing that out. The following list is ranked by price and allowance shown:

Athina 15
Little Prince 20
Stamatis 20
Tsaros 15
Romanza 15
Theresa 15
Thomas Bay 15  (note: slightly flattering price - 10 days only available)
Barras 20
Olga 20
Voula 20

Could it be that there's a secret agenda here? As the Thomson reps appear to have little else to do, are they taking photographs of clients at various apartments and assessing their weight factor? This could have some impact on fuel costs. Obviously, if you're poor you can't afford to eat so much, which explains the cluster of 20kg allowances at the bottom of the table. I have not seen the clientèle at Stamatis,  but it was clear over the five weeks we spent at Little Prince last year that the guests were, like me, sylph-like and economically scaled.

All paranoid suggestions welcome!