 Poster: A snowHead
|
So for 2016 my wife is insistent we don't go during school time, so I'be been working my way to the pain of a half term trip. So having read around I thought I'd get in early on the flight booking action, so I'm spamming refresh on BA at midnight tonight so pretty much got in as soon as the Sat 13th Feb date opened up, thinking Id at least get a vaguely reasonably priced flight by booking first. But no. Straight off, 20 seconds past midnight, LON-GVA flights 438 one way. Even LYS was almost 200 one way, Venice, Verona, Milan and Turin all similar and above.
I simply refuse to pay 400-800 for a 1 hour return chav class flight.
Anyone else have any luck with anything half sensible. There must be one way or other of getting a reasonable priced flight ???
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 24-02-15 10:48; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
You can pay #360 and fly at the front of the plane with BA... or is that actually what you meant by "chav class"
Alternatively, use your avios and fly for #17.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Business is already showing as almost 500 for both GVA and LYS. Just not worth it on an hours fight, especially with kids in tow.
Hmm interesting you are right - there are some avios reward savers available - Must admit I didn't expect that to be the case. Having said that I'm not sure I want to risk an avios fare out now, only to find theres non available for the return leg when they release those seats next week, and get stung a £400 pp cash fare for the return leg, as that would just irritate.
I maybe foolishly thought booking bang on the dot I'd pick up a return for maybe 200 pp cash.
I maybe forced to look at driving.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Flights Heathrow to Milan don't look that high. Lufthansa flights to Munich for that date seem very good value at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Interesting Lufthansa to Munich, hadn't considered that. Thanks!
Looks like, per BA, you can take a ski or snowboard bag as your main free luggage too.
Will look into cross border car hire options into Austria and have a search to find out what suitable resorts are within striking distance, unless you have any suggestions?
We've spent the last 7 years spoilt for choice of runs in La Tania/Courchevel on3v passes. So looking for somehwere with good amount of terrain - though I realise it won't be 3v kms! And somewhere with a nice ski school for a then 5 year old and 8 year old. Ideally where its possible to get accomodation on a short walk from the piste/ski school. In Austria I've only ever been to Kaprun and Mayrhofen/Hintertux (both for summer skiing) many years ago, so Im not so familiar with Austria and open to any recommendations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Flights booked with avios are fully refundable so if you can't get the return leg you just cancel the outward flight. I think there might be a small charge if you have to call them up to do this but I've never had to do this as the only time I did this I got the return leg without a problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've skied the Gastein area from Munich. I think the Skiwelt resorts are easily accessible. There are loads of resorts within 3hrs by car.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ischgl would be a good bet. 250km of piste on its own + nearby resorts of Kappl and Galtur on the same lift ticket add another 80km.
Then you have St Anton one valley away then Serfaus a valley away on the other side for more choice if required (probably not). Approx 3hrs from Munich. I believe a good ski school and certainly from experience a fun place to go.
Other ones for yourselves that I would look at would be Mayrhofen (Zillertal), Serfaus (212km), Saalbach-Hinterglemm especially as it will have an extension to Fieberbrunn (approx 250km of pistes) for next season and also the Ski Welt resorts (280km of pistes), Westendorf, Ellmau or Soll.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Does anybody know if the flights were released with a higher price tag or if truly other got in first?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The BA Geneva flights were released with a high price tag. Just over £400 economy one way, and £360 club (yes, cheaper!) one way were the cheapest prices at midnight + a few seconds when I checked. If its any consolation, nobody beat you to it, there were no cheap seats. 
As I posted on my Avios thread, rather bizarrely you can buy Avios for 1.1p/point, and book the same flights with Avios for 4,500 points + £17.50. I.e. £67.50 one way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
There are some ridiculous prices on BA.com....I have been looking to book Dec 15 ski trip as well. The Salzburg flights are showing close to £600! We have previously paid less than £150 (once for CHristmas week and once for pre-CHristmas week).
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will look at the resorts recommended. Thanks for the suggestions. Suppose it depends where I can find accommodation that is a short enough walk to the lift ski school. Ski Welt looks interesting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| Gazzza wrote: |
| Having said that I'm not sure I want to risk an avios fare out now, only to find theres non available for the return leg when they release those seats next week, and get stung a £400 pp cash fare for the return leg, as that would just irritate. |
I think Avios flights are refundable so not sure what the risk is, unless there is an admin fee?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
I can't see any Lufthansa flights available past 31st Jan 2016, how did you see costs for Feb 2016 @sugarmoma666???
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| kitenski wrote: |
| I can't see any Lufthansa flights available past 31st Jan 2016, how did you see costs for Feb 2016 @sugarmoma666??? |
I just searched for the dates.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@sugarmoma666, their website doesn't let me choose any dates in feb 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| kitenski wrote: |
| @sugarmoma666, their website doesn't let me choose any dates in feb 2016 |
How odd, it does let me. It's got dates up to 20th February 2016 I think.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Arno wrote: |
| I think Avios flights are refundable so not sure what the risk is, unless there is an admin fee? |
Yes - that's what I hadn't realised until read olderscot's post later the following day - by which time they'd gone.
Actually having looked into it since, I gather the Avios part is refundable - but any cash you pay isn't. ie. the Taxes/fees part. So if you pay 4,500 Avios + 17.50 cash for taxes/fees, and you cancel that leg you can get back your 4,500 Avios but you won't get back the 17.50.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@Gazzza, not sure that's right - I thought you always got the taxes and fees back even if you are cancelling a non-refundable ticket?
Might be a question for the nerds on flyertalk
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| kitenski wrote: |
| @sugarmoma666, their website doesn't let me choose any dates in feb 2016 |
How odd, it does let me. It's got dates up to 20th February 2016 I think. |
Yes, it is odd. Yesterday morning at 7am, it would let me select the outbound and return dates for pricing purposes but when I tried to book it gave me an error message about dates. I figured it was because it didn't like my return date of 20/2 so I left it and was going to try next day (as it let me book if I selected 19/2). For some reason around lunch time I decided to try again and at that point it would't even let me select February for pricing purposes has Kitenski experienced (clicking past January just shut down the calendar pop up). I think I simply bombed out the browser and relaunched it, (or maybe I switched browser), following which it would then show the February dates again, and on that occasion it let me go through and book both the outbound and return.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Arno, @Gazzza, If you cancel within 24 hrs, there's no charges. After that, there is an admin charge of up to £35/person. If your cash fees/taxes have been <£35 then you're only charged those (i.e. you don't have to pay more), but if they were much more then you get them all back, minus £35/person.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Arno, just googled again - might have been an old link I read. Looks like you can cancel but pay a £35 fee (effectively wiping out the cash element for taxes/fees of a Europen economy flight anyway) EDIT - crossed over with Snowdave's post
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Booked Lufthansa LHR - Munich for 13th Feb to 20th Feb 2016 last night (direct on Lufthansa . com )
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm a new poster - but a previous regular reader. Thanks for the all the conversations I've read and enjoyed!
We're planning to go to Les Arcs next Feb half term - can anyone guess how much I should expect to eventually pay for 4 return tickets to Lyon/GVA from Feb 13 to 20th? I'm guessing Easyjet is the cheapest option, but don't know if it's going to end up costing £750 or £1500!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Best to worst:
1) If Easyjet flexi fare loophole remains open next year, then £160/person return all in (inc baggage etc.) - this year (2015) it would have cost £150 using this route.
2) Use Avios (and buy the Avios) £200 per person return all in (a few seats left if you're quick)
3) Current one-way BA prices GVA £400, Grenoble 175 (GVA price looks extortionate)
4) Likely cheapest return on easyjet all in £250 assuming you will take antisocial flight times
Swiss flights are released in a few days' time and might have some initially sensible prices.
Edited to turn Lyon into Grenoble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
Thanks very much. We did a package last week that involved Chambery. And I never, ever want to go there again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That just reminded me why we drive. Blimey, can anyone afford those prices?
Simone
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
There is a new direct train to Lyon operating as of may. It takes 4 1/2 hours from St Pancras.
Might work out cheaper.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| dking2001 wrote: |
| Booked Lufthansa LHR - Munich for 13th Feb to 20th Feb 2016 last night (direct on Lufthansa . com ) |
Just booked mine, £560 for 4 of us. Kids want to go back to the Hochfilzer in Ellmau - apparently junior's harem go there every year 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| musher wrote: |
| dking2001 wrote: |
| Booked Lufthansa LHR - Munich for 13th Feb to 20th Feb 2016 last night (direct on Lufthansa . com ) |
Just booked mine, £560 for 4 of us. Kids want to go back to the Hochfilzer in Ellmau - apparently junior's harem go there every year |
Good to hear the Lufthansa to Munich option is working out for people. It looked like there was a good selection of flight times.
Personally I think as well as price it has the added benefit of accessing Austria rather than France.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Gazzza, Congratulations on getting the Munich flight booked. I travel quite often with Lufthansa to Munich as they offer good value flights and free ski carriage (which incidentally is additional to your normal hold bag allowance), see this thread. However note that (if you haven't already done so) you have to telephone Lufthansa (0871 945 9747) to tell them you are taking skis and they then put a note on their system.
As regards car hire from Munich airport on a recent trip I recently booked a rental car from Enterprise through auto-europe. When I arrived at the Enterprise desk they gave me a free upgrade to a Ford S-Max and I found it ideal for the 3 of us with our skis and snowboard, so I think it would be very suitable for you too. I see that for your dates in 2016 they are currently doing the S-Max for a weekly rate of £108.81.  Note that the rate includes winter tyres (some more unscrupulous renters may charge extra even though it's a legal requirement in Winter), but they do charge a small extra fee for taking the car across the border into Austria. Also you will need to buy a 10 day vignette (which costs 8.70 Euros) if you wish to use the motorways in Austria. You can buy these at German motorway stops before you reach the Austrian border, or if you prefer to get one beforehand you can have one delivered to your UK home from here
Plenty of Austrian resorts you could visit from Munich, but I particularly like the Zillertal valley. Although Mayrhofen is the best know resort in the valley, there is also excellent skiing at Zell am Ziller (Arena) and Kaltenbach/Hochfugen (Hochzillertal). As you'll have a car I'd definitely recommend checking out these areas too. The Zillertal tourist office website can provide plenty of accommodation information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| Quote: |
| you have to telephone Lufthansa (0871 945 9747) to tell them you are taking skis and they then put a note on their system. |
You really don't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I think our half term trip this year came in at around £330 per person headline figure, or around £600 including food, ski pass, kids lessons, beer etc. We flew MAN-FRA with the Germans and hired a car. The intention was that if we found anything better last minute then we could cancel the flights and get an [almost] full refund. The flights were only about £95 each and about £84 of that was taxes, which they need to refund you if cancel.
Is anyone managing to get Feb dates on LH.com just now? I can't gettem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| TheGeneralist wrote: |
| Quote: |
| you have to telephone Lufthansa (0871 945 9747) to tell them you are taking skis and they then put a note on their system. |
You really don't. |
It's what Lufthansa recommend you should do on their website.
Quote "Please register your ski baggage without fail no later than 23 hours before departure with the Lufthansa Service Centre. This is only necessary so that Lufthansa can ensure that your ski baggage is carried."
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| Quote: |
It's what Lufthansa recommend you should do on their website.
|
That's slightly different. We've flown with them loads and rarely, if ever, told them we have skis. We took 4 pairs of skis with them last week and certainly didn't tell them in advance.
"Hi, I'm phoning to tell you I'm bringing skis on our flight to Germany in the depths of winter at half term"
"Selbstverstandlich, warum wurde man nach Deutschland im Winter fliegen ohne Schie zu bringen"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy days thanks to this thread I have just booked Lufthansa flights for half term 2016 family of four total £480. Well happy with that and will make a nice change for the family to ski Austria rather than France. Got a year now to plan where to go, excited already. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| musher wrote: |
| dking2001 wrote: |
| Booked Lufthansa LHR - Munich for 13th Feb to 20th Feb 2016 last night (direct on Lufthansa . com ) |
Just booked mine, £560 for 4 of us. Kids want to go back to the Hochfilzer in Ellmau - apparently junior's harem go there every year |
Good to hear the Lufthansa to Munich option is working out for people. It looked like there was a good selection of flight times.
Personally I think as well as price it has the added benefit of accessing Austria rather than France. |
I haven't skied in France for about 20 years now and I'm not missing it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
| Quote: |
about £84 of that was taxes, which they need to refund you if cancel.
|
I'll bet there's some small print about administration charges which mean you wouldn't get that £84 back if you cancelled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our half term trip last year (our last ever - yay!) was based around the trains: late afternoon Friday Eurostar, dinner in Paris and the overnight sleeper to Bourg. Picked up by our chalet hosts at 7.30 and skiing by 9.0am on Saturday.
Return was even better: full day skiing on Saturday followed by dinner in Bourg and breakfast in the Parisian sunshine. Perfect.
Scarcely cheaper than flying, but so much more civilised. 8 full days skiing was a decent bonus, too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
