 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello,
I just got a phone call from my tour operator (Crystal - last time I book with them) saying they've hugely over booked my hotel in Kitzbuhel and offering me an upgrade to another (higher rated and more expensive) hotel. The problem is that this hotel is 2km out of town while the previous hotel was 2 minutes to the town centre and ski lifts. I don't really want to stay in this new hotel but the only other options they were offering me were in resorts which are only suitable for beginners.
What do you advise? Should I accept the replacement hotel or should I cancel (I can get a full refund) and attempt to book a last minute deal? Does anyone know any good deals leaving from Glasgow (or Edinburgh) on the 28th of January?
Cheers.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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IanS, I suggest getting hold of an operator like Iglu and seeing what is available. Interesting, I got a mailshot from Crystal this week, with loads of price reductions. I think you might do well out of this, if you are proactive 
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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?
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IanS,
How much have you got to spend if you get a full refund???
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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snowbunny, are you suggesting I have an argument with the Crytal staff on the phone? Do you think they'd be willing to upgrade me an even better hotel in Kitzbuhel? I really fancy that 5* one...
johnboy, I think around £750 each, though that includes ski hire and lift passes. I can't remember the exact figure, I'm at work at the moment.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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IanS,
I think you will get a reasonable deal if you have £750 to spend, but check for last minute deals before you commit. On the other hand your upgraded hotel may still be worth staying in. I take it there is a ski bus?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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IanS,
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snowbunny, are you suggesting I have an argument with the Crytal staff on the phone?
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All I am suggesting is that the co. concerned seems to have unsold holidays on its books!.  You may find a better deal with Crystal or another operator. Either way, being 2km out of town is not much fun!
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IanS, how many of you are there? If only two then I'd take the refund and book a last minute deal. But, as suggested, check out igluski.com or ifyouski.com first, and make some phone calls.
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johnboy, one of the reasons we booked this hotel is 'cause it's in the town centre and near the lifts. We don't really want to stay too far out of town, which is why I'm not happy with the change of hotel.
Dave Burt, there are only 2 of us so I'll have a look at those sites and see what I can find.
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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.
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IanS,
Good luck anyway, I think you'll get a good deal if you look around
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johnboy,
Thanks for that. I'm quite annoyed 'cause I thought that by booking with an actual ski travel agent (Crystal) I'd avoid the usual messing around I've had from the other, non-specialised tour companies. We also spent a bit more than we have in the past with the hope of getting a really nice holiday. We'll definitely be DIY-ing it in future.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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This year we booked online with Airtours, but in the past we have booked through our local Thomas Cook.
One year we were due to go to Livigno (ex Belfast) with Panorama, booked through TC. Panorama pulled out of Belfast at the last minute offering us our money back. (We didn't really like that option as availability was now pretty crap). Credit to TC, they booked us into a better hotel in the same resort, and gave us free insurance although we did have to drive to dublin. Then TC claimed the difference off panorama.
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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.
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The only problem with a last minute holiday is flight availability. Usually there are plenty of last minute flights from Gatwick and Heathrow, however other airports can be more difficult. Igluski have a nasty habit of advertising flight availability that they don't really have. Last week we had no problems finding availability for accomodation, however finding flights from the midlands was more difficult.
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Well I spoke to Crystal again this morning and they were able to find a much better selection of hotels this time so we're now going to Bad Hofgastein to a better hotel that is 2 minutes from the town centre. We're pretty pleased with the outcome though we did really want to go to Kitzbuhel (we fancied a change from the French resorts and I haven't been to Austria since I was a child).
Thanks to everyone for their help and advise, though this experience really has put me off of booking packages holidays in the future.
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You know it makes sense.
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IanS, I was in Bad Gastein a couple of weeks ago and you won't be disappointed with the skiing area. It is really good and make sure you go to Dorfgastein for a day or two (only 15mins on the free bus from Bad Hof). Catch an early one though as they can get quite busy. Bad Hof looked really pretty (tree lined streets - I imagine it's stunning in summer) and has outdoor thermal baths (like Bad Gastein) which were good after a couple of days of heavy skiing! I enjoyed the area as much as I did Kitzbuhel.
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